Health Insurance amid Covid-19: Know about plans, coverage, home care treatment and claim process

The Covid-19 pandemic in the country is having a big toll on the health and lives of the population. While it may too early to estimate the extent of damage to the economy, some of the impacts on personal finances may already be seen.

- Ashwini Kumar Sharma

Hospitalization arising out of coronavirus infection is putting a strain on the finances of individuals who are getting hospitalized. The importance of health insurance plans has gained currency amidst the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. With cases increasing on daily basis and the impending third wave expected later in the year, only a health cover can protect your hard-earned savings.

There are several queries around health insurance coverage related to Covid-19 and hospitalization. Here are some basic pointers to help you sail through the maze of health cover plans and their claim settlement.

If you already hold a regular health insurance plan either in the form of an individual policy or as a Family Floater, the financial damage to some extent can be curtailed. The cost of hospitalization due to Covid-19 is met by the insurer up to the sum insured. However, if you have to undergo home care treatment, you need to check with the insurer if expenses incurred on that will be reimbursed by the insurer. Coronavirus treatment requires special procedures and processes, the cost of which, may not be covered under the basic policy.

Also, going by the recent experience, if one member in a family is falling ill to the Coronavirus infection, the probability of other members also falling sick is appearing to be high. In such a case, more than one member in the same family is also getting hospitalized. Therefore, it may be better to opt for individual health covers rather than Family Floater plans as the sum insured may get exhausted soon in the latter.