We spend a lot of time worrying about turning older. But do we really plan for it? After the age of 60, your body is more prone to illnesses and health issues. Not only that, but the absence of a steady income source can also bring additional financial worries in case of a medical emergency. In this scenario, the best senior citizen health insurance can save you from the trouble of arranging urgent funds.
There are many senior citizen health insurance plans available online. But, there are specific features you can look for, such as critical illness cover, cashless hospitalization, pre-existing disease cover, and a higher sum assured to ensure you are buying the best senior citizen health insurance.
Let’s take a look at some of the common features of health insurance plans for senior citizens:
- Cover hospitalization as well as medical bills and room charges
- Cashless hospitalization
- Daycare expenses which emerge due to technological developments
- Ambulance charges
- Pre-existing disease coverage
- No medical test is required before availing of medical insurance.
- Higher sum insured coverage
- Pre-existing disease coverage
- Hassle-free settlement
Once you know what to look for, you can start shortlisting India’s best senior citizen health insurance plans to fit your specific needs. To simplify the purchase process for you, we have a list of steps you can follow:
Table of Contents
Step 1: Check what medical procedure costs are covered
A report suggests that senior citizens’ healthcare expenditures are approximately four times costlier than those of young people. Hence, while opting for health insurance for senior citizens, make sure that the coverage offered is appropriate and enough for any unforeseen medical emergency.
Step 2: Always go for a Cashless treatment facility
A cashless treatment facility is where an insurer can be treated without paying bills directly to the hospital. This facility is available in the network hospitals of the insurance provider. When looking for the best senior citizen health insurance, make sure to buy one from an insurance provider with a vast network of hospitals. One reliable option is Care Insurance, affiliated with over 16500 cashless healthcare providers.
Step 3: Coverage for pre-existing diseases
Often, health insurance policies do not cover pre-existing illnesses at the time of buying an insurance plan. One way around this is to buy the best senior citizen health insurance earlier in life when you do not have serious health issues. Insurance providers like Care Insurance provide coverage for pre-existing illnesses subject to the terms and conditions of the policy.
Step 4: Provides tax benefits.
When you have a senior citizen health insurance plan, you can also avail certain tax deductions on the annual premiums paid for the policy. A taxpayer above the age of 60 having health insurance can get a maximum benefit of section 80 D up to Rs. 60,000. In case you have purchased the senior citizen’s health insurance for your parents, you can get tax deductions of up to Rs.1,00,000 under section 80D of the Income Tax Act.
Step 5: Choose a plan with a High sum insured
Opting for a senior citizen health insurance plan which gives a high sum insured, up to 20 to 25 lakhs, is crucial to leading a stress-free life. Hence, while comparing different best senior citizen health insurance plans, the sum insured is a vital factor that needs to be considered. Senior citizens must choose the sum insured as per their healthcare needs. Another important thing to consider is the affordability of the premiums so that it doesn’t become a burden after retirement.
Ensure you carefully assess your financial and medical needs before selecting the best senior citizen health insurance. Head to the website of trusted insurance providers to compare policies and make an informed decision!
