What Are Non-Medical Expenses In Your Health Insurance Policy?

Medical emergencies can occur out of the blue and can often end up creating panicky situations for the individual and those around them. Getting immediate treatment is always the top priority in such situations. Due to the rising cost of services related to healthcare, one has to be prepared to cover the expenses related to hospitalisation. Instead of paying out of pocket, let your health insurance policy cover these expenses. A majority of the expenses may be related to the treatment and procedure. However, some expenses may come under non-medical expenses. What are non-medical expenses? Does your policy cover them? Let us find out more in this article.

Understanding Non-Medical Expenses

Your health insurance policy is designed to provide financial coverage for the cost of hospitalisation, and the treatment you receive. A majority of the expenses during your hospital stay are considered as medical expenses. However, there are some expenses which are not covered by your policy. These expenses are known as non-medical expenses. Items which are used at the time of treatment, and the time of your recuperation are considered as non-medical expenses. This has been allowed by the insurance regulatory authority to curb the menace of claims being filed for minor expenses.

Items Considered Under Non-Medical Expenses

The insurance regulatory authority has created a list of items which come under the definition of non-medical expense. Some of these are considered as non-payable items in health insurance. Listed below are the categories and the items in them:

Optional Items

These are items utilised during your hospital stay and not covered by the policy:

• Food (excluding the one provided by the hospital under the doctor’s guidance)
• Water
• Laundry/attendant charges
• Thermometer
• Beauty Services
• Nebuliser kit
• Belts/Braces
• Carry Bags

Expenses In Room Charges

These are the items included in the room charges:

• Handwash
• Tissue paper
• Toiletries like toothpaste, toothbrush soap, etc.
• Gown
• Comb, Caps, Slippers
• Pulse Oxymeter Charges
• Cold/Hot Pack
• Housekeeping Charges

Expenses In Medical Procedure

These are the items included in the cost of the medical procedure:

• Cotton, Bandages
• Apron
• Disposable Razors
• Hair Removal Cream
• Gauze
• Eye Pad
• Surgical Blades

Expenses Involved In The Cost Of Treatment

These following are the items included in the cost of treatment, used during the procedure:

• Registration or Admission Charges
• Spirit, disinfectant, hydrogen peroxide
• Urine Container
• Nutritionist or Dietician Charges
• Antiseptic Mouthwash
• Infusion Pump Charges
• Vaccination Cost

Additional Items

These are miscellaneous items considered as non-medical expense:

• Barber Charges
• Syringes
• Medicine Box
• Digestion Gels
• Paper Gloves
• Referral Doctor’s Fees

Can You Claim Non-Medical Expenses?

The list of non-medical expenses mentioned above are just a handful of expenses which are excluded under your medical policy. In reality, there is an exhaustive list which has been created by the insurance regulatory authority to create awareness among policyholders as to what is covered and not covered by the policy. Most of the non-medical expenses are affordable and do not require you to file a claim for every minor expense. Processing and approving such minor claims cause financial loss to insurance companies as they are required to pay more in the form of compensation. In order to discourage policyholders from filing small claims for minor expenses, the insurance regulatory authority created a list of items considered as non-medical charges and not covered by the policy. In most cases, a policyholder cannot file a claim for these expenses. Claims are subject to terms and conditions set forth under health insurance policy.

Tips You Can Consider

If you are confused about whether to claim non-medical expenses or not, you can follow these tips to clear the confusion:

1. Get in touch with your medical insurance provider and discuss with them about all the expenses excluded.
2. When you compare health insurance plans, go thoroughly through the list of inclusions and exclusions under the policy. This way you can select a policy with greater inclusions than exclusions.
3. If an insurer offers to cover certain non-medical expenses, but at a higher premium or higher deductible, it is important to consider your spending limit before considering such offer.

Conclusion

It is important as a policyholder to have knowledge of such expenses, especially non-medical expenses which are generally excluded under the policy’s coverage. If you find a policy which offers extensive coverage, which also includes certain expenses generally excluded, use the health insurance premium calculator to see the cost of that policy before you purchase it.   *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.