Health Insurance Coverage and Claim Process for Coronavirus (COVID-19)

With Coronavirus spreading across the globe, and the recent declaration of the same as being a pandemic by WHO (World Health Organization), we are sure that you have a lot of questions in your mind. That’s why we’ve collated this exhaustive article that will give you all the information you need about the virus and also about how health insurance for coronavirus works. What is Coronavirus? Coronaviruses (CoV) refers to a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from a mild case of common cold to severe diseases like Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). However, the current scenario has emerged due to a new strain of Coronavirus that has previously not been identified in humans and is hence called novel coronavirus (nCoV). The disease that this virus causes is often referred to as COVID-19. Symptoms of Coronavirus There are a few symptoms that can point towards a possible COVID-19 infection. Here are a few to watch out for: Fever Cough Shortness of breath These symptoms may appear anywhere from 2 to 14 days from exposure to the novel coronavirus. Because these symptoms are very similar to cases of common cold or flu, it can be a cause of worry. Connect with your doctor if you develop these symptoms after being in close contact with someone who is known to have COVID-19 or if you have recently travelled to an area that has been affected by the virus. If you feel that you are showing symptoms of Coronavirus, it is recommended that you avoid stepping out and connect with your nearest doctor, preferably on call, so as to avoid exposing others to the virus. Precautions for Coronavirus As there is no current vaccine for Coronavirus, the best way to prevent falling ill is by avoid being exposed to this virus. The disease spreads through contact with a person who is affected by the disease, where you are exposed to the respiratory droplets that are produced while coughing or sneezing. So what are the precautions for coronavirus that you can use to protect yourself? 1. Clean your hands often: Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds when you have been to a public place or if you happen to cough/sneeze/blow your nose Use a sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol, if you cannot use soap and water

2. Avoid touching your face: As the eyes, mouth and nose can be entryways for the virus to enter your body, avoid touching your face without sanitizing your hands first
3. Avoid close contact: If there are suspected cases of the coronavirus in your vicinity, ensure that you maintain a distance from people and avoid unnecessary contact

Here are also some precautions that you can take to ensure the safety of others: 1. Stay at home if you are feeling sick 2. Cover your mouth and nose while sneezing/coughing 3. Dispose used tissues in closed trash cans 4. Wear a face mask if you are unwell 5. Clean and disinfect surfaces regularly Coronavirus: Health Insurance Coverage Health Insurance for coronavirus is certainly something that must’ve crossed your mind, during this worrying time. When it comes to coronavirus, health insurance is something that will certainly come in handy. All health insurance  policies are likely to extend their coverage for coronavirus. Health Insurance policies would not usually have any specific exclusions for this particular disease. This means that if you are hospitalized for the treatment of Coronavirus, you can certainly connect with your health insurance provider. Since this disease has previously not been identified in humans, it is also unlikely to be an exclusion under pre-existing diseases. As a part of coverage under health insurance for Coronavirus , you are most likely to be covered for pre & post hospitalization expenses and for using ambulance services for seeking treatment for coronavirus, if your policy includes these covers. At Bajaj Allianz General Insurance, all of our health insurance policies offer coverage for coronavirus. We also offer the Corona Kavach policy , which is a dedicated health insurance plan created to provide extensive coverage for COVID-19 expenses. However, we recommend that you go through the terms and conditions of your health insurance policy to be sure, as policies and conditions change from Company to Company. How to claim health insurance for Coronavirus? If, unfortunately, you are diagnosed with COVID-19, make sure you call your health insurance company and intimate them of this development. We, at Bajaj Allianz General Insurance, assure you that any cases related to coronavirus will be expedited and addressed with care. Bajaj Allianz Health Insurance customers can simply call us on 1800 209 5858 or write in to us at bagichelp@bajajallianz.co.in, and our representative will connect with you to help you with taking your claim process ahead. While this outbreak is certainly a cause for concern, it is important to remember that panic will only lead to chaos. By simply ensuring that we take care of ourselves, and keep our surroundings clean, we can all play our part in curbing the spread of this disease. Don’t succumb to misinformation and rumours, and only trust in content from verified sources. Our article has been crafted using the information shared by trusted sources like WHO (World Health Organization) and CDC (Centers for Disease Control), so feel free to share this article. We hope that this article has helped you understand coronavirus, health insurance and how you can avail support and stay protected! For more support and updated information about coronavirus, you can also visit http://www.mohfw.gov.in/ . This site shares details of updated COVID cases across India, and other advisories from the government, that can be very useful.