What Are The Benefits Of Having A Health Insurance Card?

In a country like India, where a majority of the population is unable to afford healthcare services, the government has launched various schemes to bridge this gap. Health insurance has become a necessity due to the healthcare costs which are rising at an alarming rate. A medical insurance card is a convenient and cost-effective way to ensure that you and your family have access to quality healthcare without incurring a financial burden. Let’s look at the benefits of this card and how you can utilise it.

Benefits of a Health Insurance Card

The following are the benefits which you get to enjoy with the health insurance card:

1. Access to Quality Healthcare

One of the most significant benefits of the card is that it provides access to quality healthcare. With a health insurance card, you can choose to get treated at any of the network hospitals that are tied up with your insurance provider. These network hospitals are carefully selected based on their quality of service and infrastructure, ensuring that you receive the best possible medical treatment. Another benefit of a network hospital is how the cost of the treatment is significantly lower.*

2. Cashless Treatment

Another significant advantage of having the card is that it provides cashless treatment. If you need medical treatment at a network hospital, you do not need to pay any cash up front. Instead, the insurance provider settles the bill directly with the hospital, saving you the hassle of arranging funds at the last moment. Cashless claims also reduce the need of paperwork for every procedure, as everything can be done online.*

3. Affordable Healthcare

Healthcare costs in India are rising rapidly, and it is becoming increasingly challenging for the average person to afford quality medical treatment. With the help of this card, you get to enjoy the benefit of a cost-effective solution to this problem. By paying a small premium every year, you can ensure that you and your family are protected against unexpected medical expenses. This negates the need to pay out of pocket for the treatment, as the policy covers the necessary cost of treatment.*

4. Displays details of the policy

A great advantage that you get to enjoy with the card is that it displays all the details related to your policy. This includes your name, your contact details, the name of your insurer, the date of validity, and the health insurance coverage. This helps the hospital in knowing the details and reduces the time required for verification. At the time of admission, the card gives the management an idea about your policy before any further process can be initiated.*

5. Eases your claim

Apart from the advantage of cashless claim, the card helps in easing your claim process. When a claim is filed, there is a thorough verification carried out by the hospital before the file is sent forward to the insurer to process the claim. The details on the card make it easier for the hospital to check your details and verify them for authenticity. This smoothens the entire process and reduces the waiting time as well.*

Additional things you should remember

Listed below are additional things which you need to keep in mind:

1. It is important to compare different plans before you select the suitable one. Use the health insurance premium calculator to see how much your policy would cost based on your requirements.*
2. Customise the plan you select as per your needs. Make sure you include add-ons in your policy to enhance its coverage. These include add-ons such accidental disability cover, personal accident cover, room rent waiver, daily allowance cover, and OPD treatment cover. Select only those add-ons which are required.*
3. There are different policies that are offered by the government as well. These policies are low-cost and offer you basic coverage. The main driving point for these policies are the affordable premium. Most of the policies are aimed at families that are in the lower income group.
4. Preferably buy your policy online. The process of purchasing the policy online is quick and can be carried out from anywhere on any device. You also get to save money as there are no hidden fees or commission charges which are generally involved with an agent.
5. Renew your policy on time without fail. If your policy renewal is due in 10 days, do the renewal 5-6 prior to the expiry date. This would reduce any last-minute rush and you get to enjoy the benefits without any interruptions.

Conclusion

The health insurance card is a great tool that not only eases the process for you to get quick and affordable treatment but also removes the requirement of carrying your policy document with you everywhere. Discuss with your insurer in detail about the different provisions related to the card. Also ask them about the different network hospitals where you can cash in your health card without any complications.   *Standard T&C apply Insurance is the subject matter of solicitation. For more details on benefits, exclusions, limitations, terms, and conditions, please read the sales brochure/policy wording carefully before concluding a sale.