Author: Ankita Sejpal

The importance of health insurance plans is increasing with every passing year. As the millennium is progressing to newer medical treatments and innovative medicines, medical inflation is also rising. In this situation health insurance plans, especially health insurance plans for family has become important. Covering every family member under the purview of health insurance is necessary because you can never know which family member might need medical assistance and if they do the medical costs would cause a financial strain for you.

When it comes to family health insurance plans, you want what’s best for your family, don’t you? But do you know how you can choose the best family health insurance plans in India?

Well, choosing the best family health insurance plan in India is simple if you know how. So, here’s a quick look into the factors which make a health insurance policy the best –

• The coverage features of the plan

The best family health insurance plan would be the one which has all the relevant coverage benefits which are required by your family members. The plan should cover all possible medical expenses and also have optional coverage benefits which you can choose as per your requirement.

• Low premium rates

While the plan should be comprehensive in terms of its coverage features, the associated premiums should be low and reasonable. In fact, the best family health insurance plan should be the one which does not compromise on the coverage benefits neither does it burn a hole in your pockets.

• Attractive discounts

Discounts have a good ring to them, don’t they? Health insurance plans offer various types of premium discounts. The best policy would ideally be the one which has a range of premium discounts and the discount rates should also be high.

• Value-added coverage benefits

Health insurance plans provide various value-added coverage benefits, besides the regular coverage features. These benefits enhance the whole health insurance experience. You might get free health check-ups, a medical second opinion for critical illnesses, free doctor’s consultations, health risk assessment facilities, access to wellness programs, etc. The plan which offers the maximum of these value-added benefits would be the best family health insurance plan in India.

By checking all the above-mentioned parameters, you can easily evaluate if a certain health insurance policy meets your needs or not. We have gone a step ahead to simplify this purchase decision for you, all you need to do is enter a few details to help us calculate the approximate premium and choosing your insurance policy will become a breeze, simply click the link below to proceed.

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So, these are some parameters on which you judge and find a suitable family health insurance plan. Moreover, to make your job easier, here are some of the top family floater health plans of 2019 for you to have a look –

1. 1. Universal Sompo Complete Healthcare Insurance Plan

      This is a popular family health insurance plan offered by Universal Sompo. You can avail coverage under three plan variants of Basic, Essential and Privilege. Other notable features of the plan include the following –

      • • Dental treatments are covered in case of accidental injuries
        • Organ donor expenses are also covered
        • Coverage for Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha or Homeopathy treatments is available
        • A daily allowance is paid if you accompany a child aged below 12 hours to the hospital
        • OPD expenses are also covered under the plan which includes diagnostic tests, dental treatments taken on an outpatient basis, cost of spectacles, lenses, hearing aids, etc.
        • A convalescence benefit of INR 10,000 is paid if you are hospitalized for more than 10 continuous days
        • Coverage for maternity related expenses and new born baby is also available
          Check out exclusive plans for maternity insurance below.

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        • Five optional coverage benefits are available including critical illness cover, personal accident, hospital cash, sublimit waiver and treatment at tiered hospitals
        • Sum insured restoration is available
        • Coverage is available if you suffer from HIV or AIDS
        • Premiums paid for the plan are allowed as a tax-free deduction under Section 80D

      You can check out other plans by Universal Sompo General Insurance Company by clicking below.

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      Read more about Universal Sompo Insurance Plans

   2. ManipalCigna TTK ProHealth Protect Plan

      ManipalCigna TTK is a leading standalone health insurance provider with a range of health plans. ProHealth Protect Plan is one such plan offering by the company with the following USPs –

      • • Guaranteed cumulative bonus is allowed for up to 200% of the sum insured. The bonus increases the sum insured every year when no claim is made by the policyholder
        • Health Maintenance Benefit is awarded for continued renewals. This benefit can be used for covering OPD expenses
        • The premiums are very affordable while coverage is available for up to INR 50 lakhs
        • Domiciliary treatments are covered up to the sum insured
        • Worldwide emergency cover is available under the plan which provides coverage even outside India in an emergency
        • A free expert opinion cam be availed if you suffer from a critical illness
        • Seven optional coverage benefits are allowed like hospital daily cash benefit, deductible, waiver of deductible, voluntary copayment, waiver of mandatory co-payment and cumulative bonus booster
        • Critical illness add-on cover can also be taken under the plan
        • Premiums up to INR 25,000 paid towards the plan can be availed as a deduction under Section 80D

      Does the ManipalCigna ProHealth Protect Plan interest you? Buy the plan today and secure your future in a few easy steps here.
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1. 1. Religare Care Plan

      A very popular plan from Religare, Care comes in multiple variants like Elite, Elite Plus, Global and Global Plus with different coverage levels and has the following salient features –

      • Free annual health check-ups
      • Sum insured up to INR 6 crores
      • No maximum age to buy the plan
      • Sum insured restoration in all plan variants
      • Free second opinion in a critical illness
      • Alternative treatments like Ayurveda, Homeopathy, etc. are also covered
      • A host of optional coverage benefits like no claim bonus super, everyday care, unlimited automatic recharge, air ambulance cover, personal accident cover, international second opinion and global coverage to name a few.
      • Tax rebate is available on the premium paid for the policy under Section 80D

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1. 1. National Mediclaim PolicyNational Insurance is one of the public sector general insurance companies with a large customer base. It’s mediclaim Policy is popular among many because of the following salient features –
      • • Alternative treatments are covered under the plan
        • 5% increase in the sum insured is allowed for every claim-free year up to a maximum of 50%
        • Discount @10% is allowed if the policy is purchased for the whole family
        • Premiums up to INR 25,000 can be claimed as a tax-free deduction under Section 80D

      Read more about Know your health plan’s exclusions

      Are you looking to buy the National Mediclaim Policy today? Click here to purchase it now and pave the way for a secure future. You can also explore insurance policies by National Insurance Company below.

      National Insurance Company Plans

1. 1. Star Health Family Health Optima Insurance PlanHow can we forget Star Health’s Family Health Optima Plan? The plan provides comprehensive coverage benefits and some unique features like the following –
      • • The sum insured can be restored thrice in a policy year
        • Assisted reproductive treatments are covered
        • New born baby is covered from the 16th day itself
        • Free annual health check-ups are allowed
        • All day care treatments are covered
        • Auto recharge of sum insured is allowed free of cost
        • The premium paid for the plan would qualify for a tax deduction under Section 80D up to INR 25,000

      Interested in checking out other plans by Star Health? Click below and start comparing plans by Star Health and Allied Insurance Company Limited.

      Star Health Insurance Plans

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Avail medical expenses, illness treatment costs, and other benefits by purchasing a health insurance plan for yourself and your loved ones. With Turtlemint, your task of choosing the best policy becomes painless. Click below and give yourself the gift of a safe future!

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These are the five top family health plans in India. Choose any of these plans or a plan as per your choice keeping in mind the earlier mentioned points but make sure to cover your entire family in a good health insurance plan in 2019.

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Come 31st May and you would see different posters and ad campaigns increasing the awareness of tobacco-related health hazards. 31st May is celebrated every year as the World No Tobacco Day when the ill-effects of tobacco consumption and maintaining lung health are stressed upon. Though the World No Tobacco Day is supposed to increase awareness against tobacco use, many individuals ignore the message. Do you consider the World No Tobacco Day seriously?

According to a report published by the World Health Organisation (WHO), tobacco kills more than 1 million people every day. Approximately 9.5% of the total deaths recorded in India were due to tobacco usage. The most common ailment of tobacco use is cardio-vascular diseases (CVDs) and the number of deaths due to cardio-vascular diseases in 2018 was is quite high in individuals of all ages. Have a look –

Despite these numbers, 266.8 million people are either active tobacco users or are exposed to second-hand smoke and face an increased chance of cardio-vascular diseases. As per a survey conducted in 2016-17 by GATS ( Global Adult Tobacco Survey), the number of tobacco users in India went as high as 28.6% of the adult population.

As this year’s, World No Tobacco Day’s theme revolves around Lung Health, let’s explore this aspect and find out ways that help in smoking cessation.

Major Tobacco products include – Cigarettes, Cigars, Little Cigars, Cigarillos, Dissolvable Products like lozenges, strips, or sticks Electronic Cigarettes also referred to as: Vape Pen, e-Hookah, Hookah Pen or Traditional Smokeless Tobacco Products like cured tobacco in the form of loose leaf, plug, or twist. Tobacco smoke contains close to 4000 chemicals, 40 of which are known carcinogens or Cancer causing.

There are pharmacological and non- pharmacological interventions through which smoking cessation can be achieved.

1.  Remain motivated for quitting with a strong Will power:

Not to make this article one on motivation, but behavioral scientists believe that course correction to any bad- habit has a bit of psycho-somatic aspect to it.

• Being in a good company of non-smokers will help keep your smoking urges in control.
• A support system of near and dear ones who have successfully quit and are happy to help you.
• Sign up for a “stop-smoking group”
• Keeping oral substitutes for a cigarette such as a toothpick, coffee stirrer etc. help you get over the urge of keeping your lips occupied with a cigarette stick.
• Keep healthy substituents such as juice or water handy to control the nicotine urges.
• Beat the craving by deep breathing, drinking water, delaying in acting till the craving passes, distract yourself with physical activities etc.

2. Use NRTs:

Using Nicotine Restricting therapy such as- skin patches, chewing gums, lozenges, nasal spray, inhaler etc. NRTs reduce your cravings and supply you with a controlled dose of nicotine while sparing you from exposure to other chemicals found in tobacco.

Pharmacological interventions, when used with behavioral strategies, can produce quit rates of about 25-30%.

Agents that appear to decrease craving are Bupropion, Selegeline, Nortryptiline, etc.

NRT provides a slow and steady supply of nicotine in order to relieve craving and withdrawal symptoms and is associated with quit rates of about 23% as against 13% with placebo.

3. Alternative therapies:

Filters, Smoking deterrents, nicotine drinks, lollipops, straws, and lip balms, hypnosis, yoga,mindfulness, and meditation, herbs and supplements etc. help control the nicotine cravings. Make use of social media to meet people and discuss their success stories. Smoke free websites, Live Help through Online chats, making use of information and self-help material and advice to group therapy or individual counselling in person, by phone, or online -give massive boost to an individual’s resolve to quit smoking.

You cannot ignore the harmful effects of tobacco consumption. You can, however, take a positive step and choose your health over tobacco and its ill-effects. Here are some of the benefits of quitting tobacco –

• Improved health

This one is actually a no-brainer. If you avoid tobacco usage, your health would improve. Your lungs would thank you and you can lower the possibility of cardio vascular diseases. Moreover, your family, which might be a victim of passive smoking, would also benefit from your decision to quit tobacco. They would not have to inhale harmful smoke from your beloved cigarette and their health would also improve. Moreover, if you add regular exercising to your routine, you can become fit and healthy.

• Longer life

As your health improves, you can live a longer and more enriched life. A longer lifespan means you get to spend more time with your family and you can create beautiful memories.

• Financial saving

Did you know that quitting tobacco also helps you save money? Firstly, your expenditure on tobacco reduces and you save money. Secondly, as your health improves, medical ailments and diseases are kept at bay. When you become physically healthy, the expenses incurred on health related illnesses are minimized and, as a result, you save money.

• Better insurability

Both life insurance and health insurance policies are affected by your tobacco consumption. If you consume tobacco, the premiums under both these policies increase. Moreover, the insurance company might also pose a restriction on the coverage features making the scope of the policy limited. So, giving up tobacco also helps in improving your insurability and, once again, helps you in saving money on the premium outgoes.

With all these benefits of a tobacco-free life, don’t you think giving up tobacco is in your best interests?

So, this World No Tobacco Day, take a pledge to give up tobacco. Though the process might be slow, at least it would be a start. Remind yourself of all the benefits of living a tobacco-free life and any temptations that you face would slowly melt away. So, make 31st May count. Choose a tobacco-free life and do yourself, your health and your family a huge favour.

Also, check out our video below to spread awareness & support our #QuitSmoking campaign

This is the age of smart apps and smart gadgets which have made our lives more advanced and simplified. Technology and the internet have brought about a major change in our lives as everything is now available quite literally on your fingertips. Even in the case of health insurance, technology has digitalised the whole process of buying and selling health insurance policies. Insurance companies are now offering their plans online. They have even developed mobile apps which can be downloaded on your Smartphones and used to buy, track and monitor health insurance policies.

Besides technological advancements, the importance of healthy living has increased in recent times as people are increasingly making efforts to keep themselves healthy. Organic living, trendy exercise activities like Pilates and Zumba, vegan diets and other trends have taken a centre stage. Promoting these are smart wearables like fitness bands and smartwatches, health-related mobile apps and blogs and modern day living is all about healthy living. With healthy living being the modern day mantra and technology providing everything at your disposal, the health insurance market has seen a paradigm shift. Insurance companies have understood the concern of millennials to lead a healthy life and have, as such, launched their own health programs. Did you know about it?

Besides offering a whole lot of coverage benefits, health insurance plans also offer various value-added benefits. These benefits are wellness programs and initiatives which help you maintain and lead a healthy life. You get personalised health assessments, on-call doctors, lifestyle advice, health advice, etc. through these wellness programs. Besides promoting good health, these wellness programs are also aimed at reducing the claim experience of the insurance company. As you live healthily, there are low chances of your falling sick and making a claim in your health insurance policy. Because the insurer’s claim incidence reduces, you are offered premium discounts on renewal premiums. A win-win situation, don’t you think?

When you come to think of these value-added health programs, the first instance which you can see is the one offered by Apollo Munich. In many of its health insurance plans, Apollo Munich offers a ‘Stay Active’ benefit. Under this benefit, you are awarded a premium discount if you take a specified number of steps in one policy year. If you are wondering how your steps are counted, Apollo Munich has an app for that purpose. You just have to download the app on your Smartphone and when you buy a policy, the app starts counting the number of steps you take. Your steps are recorded in the app and after a year when the policy gets renewed, you get a premium discount based on the number of steps you have taken during the year. Isn’t it a perfect combination of technology and healthy living? Another example is Max Bupa’s Go Active Health Coach which offers discounts for healthy living.

With insurance companies offering specialised health programs, apps and premium discounts for healthy living, who wouldn’t be motivated to lead a healthy life? So, use the latest technology to your advantage and make your health insurance policy smart with attractive premium discounts.

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Cancer in India has become a dreaded illness and a very common occurrence. Though new treatments are being invented to fight cancer, the disease is becoming more rampant. In fact, as per the estimates suggested by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), there would be more than 17 lakhs cancer cases in India and more than 8.8 lakh deaths by the year 2020 (Source: https://www.dailypioneer.com/2018/india/over-17-lakh-new-cancer-cases-in-india-by-2020-icmr.html ). 

Cancer not only wreaks physiological havocs, it puts a strain on your finances too. Cancer treatments are quite expensive which threaten to wipe out your savings in a single strike. That is why cancer insurance plans are a must. Cancer insurance plans cover cancer and pay a lump sum benefit if you are diagnosed with the illness. This benefit can be used for taking treatments or for fulfilling other financial obligations that you have. Premiums are low and so these plans are a boon in the face of cancer. However, before you think of buying cancer insurance, there are some important facts about the plan which you should know so that you can buy the best cover. Here’s what these facts are –

• Nature of the plan

Cancer insurance plans are fixed benefit plans. A lump sum benefit is paid on diagnosis of cancer. The benefit depends on the sum insured that you have selected and not the actual cost of treatments.

• Coverage offered

These plans cover cancer in all its stages. Whether you are diagnosed with a minor stage or major stage cancer, you would get coverage.

• Companies selling cancer insurance

Cancer insurance plans are sold both by life insurance and health insurance companies. Life insurance companies offer a long term plan where coverage is for 5 years or more while health insurers offer plans with a term of one, two or three years. Life insurance companies pay a lump sum benefit on diagnosis of cancer. In case of plans by health insurers, there might be coverage for treatments and hospitalisation too besides the lump sum benefit paid on diagnosis.

• Options to buy the cover

Cancer insurance can be taken either as a rider or as a standalone plan. There are critical illness riders available with life and health insurance plans. Cancer is covered in almost all critical illness riders besides other illnesses. A standalone plan, on the contrary, covers only cancer. No other illness is covered under it. Standalone plans are a better choice as they offer a wider scope of coverage and cover all forms of cancer.

• Tax benefits

Since cancer insurance is a form of health insurance, the premiums you pay for the plan qualify for tax deduction under Section 80D up to INR 25, 000.

These are the main aspects of cancer insurance plans which you should know about. Moreover, there are some additional pointers too which should be kept in mind. These include the following –

• Cancer insurance plans are suitable for all individuals. You should invest in a plan at a young age to get early coverage and also for the benefit of low premiums.
• The sum insured of the plan should be sufficient enough to cover the high medical costs associated with cancer. Since premiums are low, you wouldn’t have to worry about the affordability of the plan
• Many of you believe that if you have life and health insurance plans, cancer insurance cover is not needed. This is a misconception. If you have a critical illness rider attached to your life and health insurance policies, you can give standalone cancer insurance plans a miss. However, if you don’t have critical illness rider, buying a cancer cover is advised. Your health insurance plan or the rider coverage might not be enough. Having an additional coverage is better.

Though you cannot ensure protection against the incidence of cancer, you can definitely prepare to deal with the financial implication that the illness brings. Buy a cancer insurance plan and secure your finances.

Given the rising cost of health care and the income demography of India, the Indian Government has launched various types of health insurance schemes. These schemes cater to a specific set of individuals and provide them with affordable health insurance cover. Currently, there are six Government sponsored health insurance schemes which you should know about. These include the following –

1. Rashtriya Swasthiya Bima Yojana (RSBY)

The RSBY scheme provides health insurance coverage to families which are categorised as BPL (Below Poverty Line) families. The features of the scheme include the following –

– Coverage for hospitalisation expenses is provided up to INR 30, 000

– Pre-existing illnesses are covered from the first day itself

– There is no limit on entry age

– A maximum of 5 family members can be covered which include self, spouse and three dependent members

– Covered family has to pay only INR 30 for registration. The premium is paid by the Government.

2. Employment State Insurance Scheme (ESIS)

ESIS provides coverage to workers employed in non-seasonal factories which have employment strength of at least 10 employees.  Its features are as follows –

– Coverage is provided for self and dependants

– Coverage includes hospitalisation costs and cash benefits in case of sickness and disablements

– Dependant benefit is paid to dependants of those workers who die in an accident in the course of employment. A regular pension is paid as benefit

3. Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS)

The scheme covers employees, pensioners and dependants of Central Government. CGHS is available in select Indian cities. Coverage is wide and includes hospitalisation, domiciliary care, consultation facilities, health education, etc.

4. Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana

AABY covers rural households that do not own a land and individuals engaged in 45 occupational groups recognised under the scheme. The features of the scheme are as follows –

– Only one family member is covered. That member should either be the head of the family or an earning member

– Premium is paid by the Government

– Age limit under the scheme is 18 to 59 years

– In case of natural death a benefit of INR 30, 000 is paid. In case of accidental death or total permanent disability, INR 75, 000 is paid. The benefit reduces to INR 37, 500 in case of permanent partial disability due to an accident.

– Add-on benefit of scholarship for the children is also available

5. Universal Health Insurance Scheme (UHIS)

UHIS is a scheme offered by the four public sector health insurance companies. The scheme is designed for BPL families. Coverage is provided as under –

– Hospitalisation – up to INR 30, 000

– Accidental death – INR 25, 000

– Loss of earning – INR 50 per day for up to 15 days

Premiums are low and subsidised. The existing subsidy in premium is INR 200 for individual plans, INR 300 for floater plan covering five members and INR 400 for floater plan covering seven members.

6. PM Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY)

This is the latest addition to Government health insurance schemes and is popularly called the Ayushman Bharat scheme. 10.74 crore families which are defined to be ‘poor and vulnerable’ are covered under the scheme. Hospitalisation expenses of the covered families are covered up to INR 5 lakhs. Premiums are borne by the Government.

These are the health insurance schemes which are being offered by the Indian Government for the welfare of its citizens. These schemes aim to provide better healthcare facilities to the downtrodden and are a right step towards making India a developed country.

If you want to know more about these schemes check the link below
(Source: https://www.nhp.gov.in/national-health-insurance-schemes_pg )

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