All You Need to Know- Health Insurance for Smokers

When it comes to buying a health insurance policy, a common misconception is that the insurer would deny the health coverage if you are a smoker or a tobacco user. However, this is not true. There are health insurance companies in India that do offer health insurance cover at a relatively higher premium with other terms and conditions applicable. At any point in time, we should not forget that smoking is injurious to health. Smoking can lead to other medical conditions, which means treatment expenses and much more.

Health Insurance- Smokers vs Non-Smokers

A smoker is more prone to diseases when compared to a non-smoker. A health insurance policy is important for all. Yet, if you or someone from your family or your friends smoke, it becomes important to be covered under a suitable health insurance policy. Another thing that needs to be spoken about is that the smoking habit does affect the health insurance premium. Wondering, how does smoking increases the health insurance premium? Smoking is a primary cause of various health diseases such as respiratory ailments, lung infection, oral cancer, lung cancer, and various other critical illnesses. People at times also opt for critical illness cover. Now treating any of these involves high-end treatment making it expensive. So, health issues like these, it implies a higher chance of health insurance claims. Hence, the health insurance premium for smokers is on a higher end compared to a non-smoker.

Can Smoker Get Health Insurance?

Let us break the myth that insurance companies will not provide health insurance coverage if you smoke. There are health insurance plans available for smokers. The terms and conditions would vary from insurer to insurer. While you are in the process of buying any health insurance policy, the insurer asks about your lifestyle habits. To be specific, they do question you about whether you smoke or not.

What is the Definition of a Smoker in Health Insurance?

In simple words, any individual who consumes nicotine in any form is a smoker. Whether you use an e-cigarette or any other vaporizer form to smoke, you fall within this definition. In case you smoke, the insurer does inquire about the number of cigarettes you smoke in a day. The insurer also inquires about any existing respiratory or lung diseases because of the usage of nicotine. At times, the insurer may ask you to undergo medical screening. A pre-medical check-up for smokers helps to determine the smoking severity. It helps the insurance company to assess the coverage and health insurance premium. While buying a health insurance policy, ensure that you provide all the information correctly. In case you provide any information, which is false or misleading, you will see the repercussions during a health insurance claim process. Disclose your smoking status when availing the medical insurance. Your lifestyle habits play an important role and are crucial in determining the health insurance premium. * Standard T&C Apply

Should I Lie About Smoking on Health Insurance?

Well, being transparent to your insurer is always going to be helpful. Proper disclosures on time will take you a longer and hassle-free way to secure your health.

How Does Insurance Company Know If You Smoke?

Possibly when you bought the health insurance plan you didn’t smoke. But chances are that you are a smoker now. As a practice, keep the insurer up to date about any change in the lifestyle that may otherwise affect the health condition. Informing your insurer will be helpful for a hassle-free claim settlement process in the crisis hour. On the premise of smoking frequency, the insurer will make modifications to the premium amount. The insurer might also ask you to undergo a medical screening to contemplate your current health status.

Understanding Health Insurance Premium for Smokers

Both smoking and health insurance premiums are connected. There is no special policy for anyone who smokes yet the point of difference is the premium. This is linked to cigarettes that are puffed every day. The calculation is simple if you smoke 08 cigarettes per day the premium will be more compared to someone who smokes 03 cigarettes in a day. With prolonged smoking, there are higher chances of health ailments, falling ill, and so forth.

Wrapping it Up

Before you zero down the health insurance plan, assess the health requirements. If you are a smoker or buying the plan for someone who smokes, the premium will be high. It is recommended to go with extensive health insurance coverage. Regardless of whether you smoke or not, having a financial safety net like a health insurance policy is a necessity. Adversity never comes with prior notice, so prevention is always better than cure. Secure yourself and your loved ones for a stress-free future. For a healthier tomorrow, Quit Smoking! It's never too late to do the right thing for your sound health. ‘Insurance is the subject matter of solicitation. For more details on benefits, exclusions, limitations, terms, and conditions, please read sales brochure/policy wording carefully before concluding a sale.’