Saakshi Gupta 
As the person gets old the several health complications also increase so it became important to get the insurance cover for people. The market has several health insurance policies for senior citizens even for those senior citizens who have pre-existing diseases. It is strongly advisable for elderly people to buy an independent policy instead of a group policy because group policy does not always cover pre-existing diseases. In the independent policy is specially made to covered pre-existing diseases and even have the maximum chances to get the approval of the claim, even there is a tax benefit also provided up to Rs. 25,000 under section 80D on health insurance premium paid for self, children, spouse, and parents. And in the case of senior citizen parents above 60 age, the benefit will be up to Rs. 50,000 according to the latest tax slabs.
While buying the insurance we must ensure that entry and exit age, maximum age of renewal, coverage, exclusion, co-pays, critical illness cover, waiting period, domiciliary hospitalization are the priority comprehensive health policy and the second priority will be the best health plan.
When coming to choose the policy for a senior citizen than it is also important to compare the pricing and features of various player, one must compare that the insured sum doesn’t always mean that the entire medical bill will be paid by the insurance company at the time of claim, this is because of the sub-limits and also co-pays clause in the policy if insurance which is the part of the treatment expenses which is needed to be borne by the policyholder.
Here Are Some Health Insurance Policies for the Senior Citizens
Aditya Birla Health Insurance (Activ Care Senior Citizen Plan)
- Sum insured – Minimum Rs. 10 lakhs
- Age – Minimum 55 and Maximum 80
- Unique – International and domestic Emergency assistance and air ambulance cover
Bajaj Allianz Health Insurance (Silver Health Plan)
- Sum Insured – Minimum Rs.50,000 and Maximum Rs. 5 lakhs
- Age – Minimum 46 and Maximum 70
- Unique – 130 daycare procedure are covered
Bharti AXA Health Insurance (Smart Super Health Insurance plan)
- Sum insured – Minimum Rs. 5 lakhs and Maximum Rs. 1 crore
- Age – Minimum 18-65
- Unique – AYUSH treatment
Care Health Insurance (formerly known as Religare health insurance) (Care Health Senior Citizen Health Insurance Plan)
- Sum insured – Minimum Rs. 3 lakhs and Maximum Rs. 10 lakhs
- Age – Minimum 46 and Maximum – life long
- Unique – Global Health care Treatment
HDFC ERGO Health Insurance (Formerly known as Apollo Munich Health Optima Senior) Health Optima Senior Plan
- Sum Insured – Minimum Rs. 2 lakhs and Maximum Rs.15 lakhs
- Age – Minimum 61 And Maximum – No age limit
- Unique – 140 days care procedure
National Insurance (Varistha Mediclaim policy for senior citizens)
- Sum Insured – Minimum Rs. 1 lakh for health coverage and critical illness – Rs. 2 lakhs.
- Age 60 – 80
- Waiting period for pre-existing diseases- After 1 year
New India (Senior Citizen Mediclaim Policy)
- Sum Insured – Rs. 1-1.5 Lakhs
- Age 60-80
- Waiting period for pre-existing diseases- After 1.5 year
Star Health (Senior Citizen Mediclaim Policy)
- Sum Insured – Rs. 1-1.5 Lakhs
- Age 60-80
- Waiting period for pre-existing diseases- After 1.5 year
Star Health (Senior Citizen Red Carpet Health Plan)
- Sum Insured – Rs 1-10 Lakhs
- Age 60-75
- Waiting period for pre-existing diseases- After 1 year
United India (Senior Citizen Mediclaim Policy)
- Sum Insured – Rs. 1-3 lakhs
- Age 61-80
- Waiting period for pre-existing diseases- After 4 year
Points to Be Remembered While Buying Health Insurance Policy for Senior Citizens
In this pandemic of coronavirus COVID-19, the senior citizen has more risk of having coronavirus so to protect the senior citizen it became a must to buy an insurance plan which covers the expense occurred to form the treatment of COVID-19 because without having the coronavirus insurance plan it will be difficult for the common man to treat the elderly people in the hospital for a long term. So, here is the best insurance plan for senior citizens.
- The Number of Network Hospitals: His most important thing to remember while buying the insurance plan is the number of hospitals in your locality or around your residence area which can be covered under your insurance plan.
- Medical Test Expenditure: How many numbers to medical test were on the list under your insurance plan even though the insurer is denying the same because the insurance company will be responsible for all the expenditure which will be arises in the test, etc.
- Claim Settlement Process: To avoid inconvenience and smooth claim settlement always make sure to check the ratio of settlement and duration for settling. For checking we check like how much time it will take to settle of higher claim define the reliability of the insurance company.
- Individuals Covered under the Plan: Must sure before taking the insurance plan that you want to add the spouse in the plan because there is no need to decide as per your spouse’s health.
- Documents Requirement: While claiming for the health insurance policy for senior citizens we must carry the following document like pre-policy medical checkup document, duly filled proposal form, age proof, supporting documents for any pre-existing condition.
- Pre and Post Hospitalization: The insurance company must cover pre and post medical expenses.
So, if you still haven’t bought any policy you must hurry up because in this pandemic it is important to buy the best health insurance plan. After all, it will not only protect the senior citizen but also protect the family in terms of finances.
