What Is Health Insurance?
Health insurance is a financial-protection plan that helps individuals and families cover medical expenses. It involves paying a premium to an insurance company, which then provides coverage for a wide range of healthcare services, including hospitalisation, daycare procedures, post-hospitalisation expenses, ambulance charges, medication, preventive care, etc.
Health insurance operates in two ways: either the policyholder pays for medical expenses upfront and is later reimbursed by the insurer or the insurance company directly settles the bill with the networking hospital. The latter is called the cashless mode.
Health insurance plays a crucial role in reducing the financial burden of healthcare and ensuring access to necessary medical treatments and services.
What Is Mediclaim?
Mediclaim is a specialised insurance policy designed to provide financial protection specifically for hospitalisation-related expenses in a cost-effective manner. Do note that in a mediclaim policy, the coverage is limited to hospitalisation costs. Other medical expenses have to be borne by the insured.
Should You Buy a Mediclaim Policy or Health Insurance in India?
When deciding between a mediclaim policy and health insurance in India, opting for a comprehensive health insurance plan is generally recommended. While both options offer tax benefits, health insurance plans provide a more extensive coverage.
It’s important to conduct thorough research and compare various health insurance plans offered by different companies based on their coverage, services, benefits, and premium.
Keep in mind that individual insurance needs can vary, so finding the best health insurance plan depends on your specific requirements and preferences.