Healthcare

Key Considerations When Choosing Health Insurance for Pre-Existing Conditions

Shweta Singh

Bangalore (Karnataka) [India], December 23: Each health insurance provider company has its own provisions with respect to pre-existing disease disclosure. Hence, before you buy Health Insurance Plans for Family, an insured should have a better understanding of terms and conditions, coverage and the way insurance companies deal with pre-existing diseases. 

Things to be kept in mind before Buying a Health Insurance Plan with Pre-Existing Diseases

  • Terms and conditions can differ: The policies, terms and conditions for pre-existing diseases may vary from one insurer to the other, such as waiting period, coverage, riders, etc.

  • Always disclose the pre-existing illness: Providing misleading or false information or non-disclosure may result in the rejection of the claim or cancellation of the policy.

  • Disclose pre-existing ailments before the policy is bought: If the pre-existing illness is disclosed afterwards, i.e. during the policy tenure, the insurance provider may cancel your policy based on finding guilty or lying.

  • Every health plan does not include pre-existing ailments: As all the plans do not cover pre-existing diseases, one should confirm this well in advance.

  • There exists a waiting period for pre-existing conditions: A waiting period means a timeline that may range from 30 days to 4 years, during which a policyholder cannot raise acclaim against pre-existing diseases. During this period, one has to bear expenses out of his/ her pocket.

  • The waiting period can be waived in some scenarios: Some insurance providers may reduce or remove the entire waiting period against some extra premium.

  • The premium of your health insurance policy can also be affected: The premium amount is higher for applicants with pre-existing illnesses than for others.  

  • The health insurance policy can also be denied by the insurance provider: Certain pre-existing illnesses are denied at the discretion of the insurance provider.

List of Pre-Existing Illnesses Included in Indian Health Plans 

Pre-Existing DiseaseDescription
AsthmaIt is a medical state of difficulty in breathing, involving medications and hospital visits.
DiabetesThis medical state affects blood sugar levels, which require consultations, medications, etc.
High Blood PressureIt is a medical state which can result in critical health problems if not treated, which requires medications and lifestyle-related changes.
ThyroidIt is a medical state affecting the thyroid gland, which involves medications.
Heart DiseasesIt covers heart conditions, like coronary heart diseases, heart attacks, etc., which involve medications and surgeries, etc.
Kidney DiseasesIt refers to a state of impairment of the kidney’s functioning, the treatment of which involves transplantation and extended treatments.
ArthritisThis state causes inflammation of one or more joints, leading to pain, stiffness, swelling, and decreased joint mobility.

Conclusion

A pre-existing disease means a state where a policyholder already suffers from an illness or disease before purchasing the policy, having a waiting period, which can vary from 6 months to 4 years, depending on insurance companies. As the credibility of the plan you purchased depends mainly on its features, coverage, and premium amount, it becomes essential to compare all available plans before purchasing one.

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