Does your health insurance cover COVID19?

Pandemic declared coronavirus (COVID-19) had impacted the lives of many across the globe. To offer protective coverage for expenses related to the coronavirus disease, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority in India (IRDAI) had issued a circular asking the insurance providers to develop health insurance plans.

What is Coronavirus (COVID-19)?

Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is a group of viruses that attack a person’s immune system, resulting in diseases as mild as the common cold to as severe as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

These include fever, dry cough, tiredness, and sore throat. However, the disease affects different people in different ways. It has been fatal for people aged above 60 years and those with pre-medical conditions.

What is Coronavirus Health Insurance Policy?

Among all the health insurance plans for families, a Coronavirus health insurance policy is a customized health insurance policy aimed at covering hospitalization, pre-hospitalization and post-hospitalization expenses, and other medical costs arising due to the treatment of COVID-19. The cover is available from day one after the insured is tested coronavirus positive. Almost all health insurance policies now offer cover for the treatment of coronavirus in India.

Things to consider when it comes to buying health insurance plans for the family:

• The credibility of the provider-

The first and foremost evaluation of buying the best Coronavirus Insurance has to be to check the insurance provider’s credibility. Several companies are offering competitive rates and insurance benefits. However, not all may be as proactive when it comes to approving a claim.

• Affordable premiums:

Buying COVID-19 insurance is essential, especially for those in high-risk areas. Still, the current situation has affected everyone’s income stream, and thus, it is even more important to buy a cover that has premiums enough to fit into your budget.

• Simple process:

It would be best if you also considered this aspect when it comes to buying COVID Insurance is the process of applying and processing the claim. Please read carefully through the company policies to ensure their claim process is hassle-free and straightforward, so your family doesn’t have to run from one end to the other, making insurance claims.

Things covered under COVID health insurance:

Hospitalization Expenses: Coronavirus health insurance policies cover hospitalization expenses arising from COVID-19 if it exceeds 24 hours.
Quarantine Cover: COVID-19 specific health insurance policies also cover the insured individuals quarantined by government identified authorities.

Things not covered under COVID health insurance:

Home Quarantine: Expenses incurred during the quarantine period spent at home are not covered under COVID-19 specific health insurance policies.
Pre-Existing Diseases: Any expenses arising due to treatment of pre-existing illnesses are not covered until the waiting period is completed
Hospitalization Without Doctor’s Recommendation: If the insured gets hospitalized without the recommendation of a qualified doctor as specified on the prescription, then he/she will not be covered for the expenses arising due to treatment.

The claim settlement process for coronavirus (COVID-19) health insurance policies is similar to standard health insurance policies.