World Health Day: World Health Day, observed annually on April 7, is a reminder to prioritize our physical and mental well-being. But while we routinely check our vitals and fitness levels, one crucial aspect of health often gets overlooked — our health insurance coverage. With the rapid increase in medical inflation and evolving treatment costs, many policyholders may find that their existing insurance plans are no longer sufficient to cover modern healthcare expenses.
In India, a significant portion of policyholders still rely on outdated insurance plans bought almost a decade ago, with coverage limits as low as ₹2-3 lakh. At the time, that might have been adequate. However, with healthcare inflation averaging 14-15% annually, such sums are now inadequate. A typical hospitalization lasting 2.5 to 3 days can cost anywhere between ₹1.5 to ₹1.75 lakh, and that’s without considering the cost of pre- and post-hospitalization, diagnostics, and medications. This is a wake-up call for individuals and families to review and upgrade their health insurance policies.
World Health Day serves as an excellent opportunity to evaluate your current policy’s sum insured, coverage benefits, room rent limits, co-payment clauses, and network hospitals. If your existing plan falls short, consider porting to a better policy or enhancing it with top-ups or super top-ups. Don’t let an outdated plan become a liability in times of a medical emergency.
Who Can Apply for Health Insurance?
Anyone above the age of 18 years is eligible to apply for a health insurance plan. Children above 3 months can also be covered under family floater policies. Senior citizens have dedicated health plans specifically designed to cater to their medical needs.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Indian resident
- Age: 18 years and above (individual policies)
- Children: 3 months to 18 years (with parents/family plan)
- Pre-policy medical check-ups may be required based on age and sum insured
- No existing terminal illness at the time of purchase (for most plans)
Even if you already have a health policy, you can port your existing insurance to another provider without losing accumulated benefits like no-claim bonus or waiting period credits.
Also read: Health and Term Insurance in India
Health Insurance Fees: How Much Should You Pay?
The premium for a health insurance policy depends on multiple factors such as:
| Factor | Impact on Premium |
|---|---|
| Age of insured | Higher age = Higher premium |
| Coverage sum insured | Higher coverage = Higher premium |
| Pre-existing conditions | May increase premium or have a waiting period |
| City of residence | Metro cities have higher premiums |
| Policy type | Individual, family floater, or senior citizen plan |
| Add-ons | Room rent waiver, maternity, OPD, etc. add to cost |
For instance, a 30-year-old individual might pay around ₹6,000–₹10,000 annually for ₹5 lakh coverage, while a family floater with ₹10 lakh coverage may cost ₹18,000–₹25,000 annually.
How to Use Your Health Insurance Plan
Using a health insurance policy is a straightforward process, especially with cashless facilities offered by most insurers:
- Hospitalization: Get admitted to a network hospital.
- Cashless Claim: Show your e-card/health card to initiate a cashless claim.
- Pre-authorization: Hospital will get pre-authorization from your insurer.
- Treatment: Receive treatment without paying from your pocket.
- Discharge & Documents: Sign discharge summary, leave the rest to your insurer.
In case you visit a non-network hospital, you can pay upfront and raise a reimbursement claim post-treatment.
Benefits of Reviewing Your Health Insurance on World Health Day
1. Stay Updated with Medical Inflation
A yearly review ensures your policy keeps pace with healthcare inflation. You can increase your sum insured or buy a super top-up plan.
2. Better Features
Modern policies offer features like wellness programs, OPD benefits, mental health cover, and more. If your policy lacks these, it’s time to upgrade.
3. Network Hospital Access
Switch to insurers with a wider network of cashless hospitals, especially if your current network doesn’t include top hospitals in your city.
4. Lower Co-payment or Room Rent Cap
Older plans may have restrictive room rent limits or co-pay clauses. Newer plans offer more flexibility, ensuring you don’t pay extra during claims.
How to Apply for a New or Upgraded Health Insurance Policy
You can apply both online and offline. Here’s a step-by-step process:
Online:
- Visit insurer’s official website or aggregator platforms (e.g., PolicyBazaar, Coverfox).
- Compare plans based on sum insured, features, and premium.
- Fill out the application form with personal and health details.
- Upload required documents.
- Pay premium online.
- Receive e-policy instantly or after verification.
Offline:
- Visit the insurer’s branch or consult a certified agent.
- Fill the physical form and submit health declarations.
- Schedule a pre-policy medical check-up (if required).
- Pay the premium via cheque/DD.
- Policy is issued after underwriter approval.
Important Dates to Remember
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| World Health Day | April 7 (Every Year) |
| Best time for policy review | April 1–15 (Financial Year Start) |
| Policy renewal period | Check your individual policy date |
| Health insurance open enrollment | Not fixed (porting allowed 45 days before renewal) |
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or financial advice. Star Health Insurance Policy benefits, features, and costs may vary by insurer and individual eligibility. Please consult your insurance advisor or the official insurer’s website before making any decision. The information provided here is accurate as of April 2025 and may change over time.
World Health Day Conclusion
World Health Day is not only about measuring blood pressure or eating healthy for a day — it’s about adopting a 360-degree approach to well-being. Ensuring your health insurance is up-to-date is one of the most important steps you can take toward financial and health security.
Many individuals continue to hold outdated insurance policies that fall short during emergencies. These insufficient covers can lead to financial distress even with insurance in place. Taking time to review, port, or upgrade your policy can provide better protection to you and your family.
By increasing your sum insured, removing room rent restrictions, or opting for comprehensive family floaters, you can better protect your future. Don’t wait for a medical emergency to find out your policy isn’t enough — use World Health Day as a reminder to take proactive steps.
Upgrading your policy is no longer a tedious process. With digitization and multiple insurance comparison platforms, you can make informed decisions quickly. Prioritize your peace of mind today by ensuring your insurance is ready for tomorrow.
World Health Day FAQs
1. Why is it important to review health insurance on World Health Day?
World Health Day is a timely reminder to reassess all aspects of your health, including insurance. Since medical costs are rising every year, your policy should match current healthcare expenses. Reviewing it helps identify gaps in coverage and enables you to take corrective steps in time.
2. Can I port my existing health insurance to another provider?
Yes, IRDAI allows you to port your existing health insurance to another provider without losing accrued benefits like waiting period credit and no-claim bonus. You should initiate the porting process at least 45 days before renewal.
3. What happens if my sum insured is too low during hospitalization?
If your policy’s coverage is inadequate, you’ll have to bear the remaining expenses out-of-pocket. For instance, if your coverage is ₹2 lakh and the hospital bill is ₹3.5 lakh, you’ll have to pay ₹1.5 lakh yourself. This is why upgrading your policy is crucial.
4. Is it possible to enhance my coverage without buying a new policy?
Yes, many insurers offer top-up and super top-up plans which provide additional coverage at lower premiums. These are ideal if you already have a base policy but need enhanced protection without paying for a completely new plan.
5. What are the tax benefits of health insurance in India?
Under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act, individuals can claim tax deductions on premiums paid:
- Up to ₹25,000 for self and family
- Additional ₹25,000–₹50,000 for parents (senior citizens get higher limit) This makes health insurance both a health and financial planning tool.
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