What are the criteria for deciding on the best health cover?
Choosing a health cover for yourself must be done after careful analysis of your needs. In case you need a wide cover as also Income tax benefits the mediclaim policy with a family package cover could be a suitable option for you. You may also decide on the major ailments policy with annual, five and ten year cover options offering you a reasonable amount of premium savings.

Those going for a wide coverage as also long term cover about five or ten years can opt for the term hospitalisation policy. This gives benefits that are not available under the normal mediclaim policy. Another convenience this policy offers is the non-requirement of every year renewal of the policy. If you plan to go for a less costlier health cover with tax benefit and limited coverage you could choose the Jan Arogya cover. For those closer to retirement age the long-term retirement benefit plan would be the ideal cover.

How do you decide whether a disease was a pre-existing one or not?
While filling up the proposal form for insurance you need to provide details of the illnesses you have suffered during your lifetime. Such disclosures are important else at a later stage if discovered you could end up losing out terribly. At the time of insurance, you should be aware whether you have any disease and whether you are undergoing any treatment. The insurers refer such health issues to their medical panel to differentiate between pre-existing and newly contracted illnesses.

Is there a minimum time limit for stay within the hospital under Mediclaim ?
Under Mediclaim, the minimum stay within the hospital must be for a minimum of 24 hours. However for dialysis, chemotherapy, eye surgery, etc - the stay can be for less than 24 hours.

Does Mediclaim cover any expenses besides hospitalisation costs ?
Mediclaim covers pre-hospitalisation (limited up to 30 days) and post-hospitalisation (limited to 60 days from discharge) expenses also if they are connected with the sickness / accident for which the hospitalisation takes place.

Under Mediclaim, is the limit of insurance per sickness or annual ?
Under Mediclaim, the amount of insurance is the limit until which the insurance company will pay during any policy period. They are annual limits for all sicknesses / accident during a year.

What happens when the limit of insurance is exhausted under Mediclaim ?
Under Mediclaim, future expenses are not covered during the same policy period however when the policy is renewed, the limit of insurance starts afresh.

Under Mediclaim, does a sickness for which a claim is lodged get covered under a future insurance policy or does it become pre-existent for the next policy term ?
Under Mediclaim, a sickness for which a claim is lodged does not become pre-existent. It is covered provided the policy is renewed within time limits and there is no break in the term of the insurance policy. In case there is a break in the term of insurance (up to 7 days allowed subject to certain conditions) then it will definitely become pre-existent and exclusions will apply.

Can my whole family be covered under a single Mediclaim policy? What is family discount under Mediclaim ?
Yes.Under Mediclaim, when the husband or the wife and children or dependant parents are covered under same policy. In fact a family package discount of 10% is also available.

What are the factors which determine the premium payable under Mediclaim ?
Under Mediclaim, the age and the amount of cover are the factors that decide the premium.

Does Mediclaim offer any advantages on renewal ?
On renewal of Mediclaim for every claim free year. a bonus of five percent per year (maximum 50 percent) is allowed and after four continuous renewals, the cost of medical check up to the extent of one percent of cumulative insurance for the last four years is allowed.

Who will receive the claim amount under Mediclaim if the policyholder dies during the time of treatment ?
Under Mediclaim, the claim amount is paid to the nominee of the policyholder. In case there is no nominee made under the policy, then the insurance company will insist upon a succession certificate from a court of law for disbursing the claim amount. Alternatively, the insurers can deposit the claim amount in the court for disbursement to the next legal heirs of the deceased.