Health Insurance Playbook

Welcome to the Health Insurance Playbook! This season takes you on an engaging journey through the essential facets of health insurance. We’ll break down the key components of health coverage, helping you find options that align with your lifestyle.

Join us as we explore how to maximise your health benefits while uncovering potential tax advantages. Get clarification on important concepts like Mediclaim, cashless claims, reimbursements, etc. to make it easier to navigate the landscape of health insurance.

This season will delve into critical areas that health insurance typically covers, along with key exclusions you should be aware of. Understand what deductibles mean for you, know the differences between co-payments and coinsurance, and learn how to switch providers if needed.

Lastly, explore vital tips to make informed decisions and debunk five common misconceptions. Get ready to dive into this exciting exploration of health insurance!

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Episodes

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E01: The Building Blocks of Health Insurance Explained
04 mins
Health insurance could serve as a crucial financial safety net, covering unexpected medical expenses like hospitalisation, surgeries, etc. As per ACKO India Health Insurance Index 2024, healthcare costs are rising at an annual rate of 14%. This suggests that getting insurance might prove beneficial for you and your family alike. By paying an annual premium, you could significantly reduce your out-of-pocket costs during medical emergencies, which could otherwise be financially burdensome. Obtaining insurance at an early age might be a wise decision. This could lead to lower premiums, avoiding medical tests, and long-term advantages including potential tax benefits. Under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act you could claim up to Rs. 50,000 on your insurance premiums. While determining the appropriate coverage amount, you could aim for a balance that meets your healthcare needs without imposing excessive financial strain. The process of acquiring insurance is relatively straightforward. You might choose to reach out to an agent, visit an insurance company or get insurance online. Key steps include entering personal information, comparing available plans, selecting a suitable policy, and completing the premium payment. Health insurance could be essential for ensuring access to necessary healthcare while managing financial risks effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Health insurance could help ease the financial strain of unforeseen medical expenses. By paying an annual premium, your provider covers costs such as hospital stays, medical tests, surgeries, etc. up to a predefined limit. You may only have to pay the additional expenses if the costs exceed your policy's coverage. It acts as a safety net, ensuring you receive necessary treatment while your insurer manages most medical bills.
Health insurance offers tax benefits under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act. You can claim tax deductions of up to ₹25,000 on the premiums paid if you insure yourself, your spouse, or your children. If you’re insuring your senior citizen parents, this tax limit increases to ₹50,000. Additionally, expenses for preventive health check-ups can also be included up to a limit of ₹5,000 under the above-mentioned categories.
Health insurance does not cover all medical costs. Pre-existing conditions often have a waiting period of 2-4 years before the coverage begins. Cosmetic treatments, alternative therapies, and self-inflicted injuries are typically excluded. Additionally, maternity and fertility treatments are usually not covered unless specifically stated in the policy. Therefore, always review policy details before selecting one.
Mediclaim is a basic plan that covers only your hospitalisation costs, acting as a safeguard for in-patient expenses like surgeries. It offers limited coverage and few customisation options. In contrast, health insurance provides comprehensive protection for critical illnesses, outpatient visits, and pre and post hospitalisation expenses. This type of insurance allows you to tailor coverage to meet your specific healthcare needs.
Health insurance offers various plans to suit your needs. These include individual health insurance, family floater plans, group health insurance, senior citizen health insurance, health insurance top-up etc. You could also customise your coverage with add-ons like maternity cover, critical illness cover, personal accident cover, and so on for added protection.
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