Health insurance is an important aspect that must be considered by senior citizens as well. People above the age of 60 years must invest in an insurance plan that covers medical expenses for uncertain health and fitness issues. According to USHG reviews, the best health insurance policy for senior citizens is the one that protects against unexpected medical costs and also allows them to be financially independent during such emergencies the health insurance plans for senior citizens cover pre-existing health problems, critical diseases, hospital expenses, and so on ensuring peaceful, and stress-free retirement.
Primary features of senior citizen insurance policies
When one invests in a senior citizen’s health insurance policy, he/she can enjoy the following features.
Cashless hospitalization
When a policyholder considers a cashless claim, the insurance company bears the maximum expenses of hospitalization. A senior citizen or the family members don’t have to worry about the financial arrangement for the treatment, especially in case of hospitalization. There is a network of hospitals that can offer cashless treatment facilities.
Renewability for lifetime
Many health insurance plans have limited renewability options. It doesn’t allow the policyholder to renew their policy coverages after attaining a certain age. The good news is that the majority of the insurance companies enable a lifetime renewability option for senior citizens investing in health insurance coverages.
Discounts
Many health insurance companies offer discounts to senior citizens like renewal discounts, NCB, or No Claim Bonus. This helps in the reduction of premiums for senior citizen health insurance coverages, thereby not exerting financial pressure on elderly people.
Tax benefits
The USHG reviews claim that senior citizens buying health insurance can seek tax benefits every year. This is an excellent means to encourage people over the age of 60 years to invest more in health insurance coverage and seek financial benefits.
The waiting tenure is less
When a senior citizen invests in a health insurance plan, the waiting period is less when compared to the general health insurance plans. The senior citizen policyholder can claim the treatment expense, hospitalization, and others without the need to wait for days or even months.
What are the inclusions in the health insurance of senior citizens?
The coverages a senior citizen policyholder enjoys are clearly defined and structured in the health insurance. The conditions under which a policyholder can claim health insurance can differ from one insurance company to the other. Some of the common coverages ensured are as follows:
· Hospitalization
It covers the expenses included in the treatment of injuries and illness. The hospitalization cost includes OT charges, room rent, visiting the doctor, and so on.
· ICU expenses
When compared with the normal room rent charges, the ICU expense is more. It is covered under senior citizen health insurance coverage.
· Pre-hospitalization and post-hospitalization charges
The senior citizen health insurance policies cover pre and post-hospitalization charges of 30 days for pre-hospitalization and 60 days post-hospitalization.
· Ambulance expenses
One of the advantages of investing in a senior citizen health insurance plan is that the insured person can claim ambulance transportation to the nearest medical facilities as per the terms and conditions of the health insurance policy.
· Second opinion expense
When an elderly person seeks a second opinion from another medical practitioner, the consultation fees can be claimed under the health insurance coverage for senior citizens.
· Daycare treatment costs
The minor medical procedures that don’t need hospitalization for more than 24 hours fall under daycare treatment. The senior citizen policyholder is entitled to claim for the expenses of daycare treatment.
· Domiciliary treatment expense
Senior citizens under the health insurance coverage can enjoy treatment facilities and their expenses at home as well. According to USHG reviews, this is one of the most availed medical claims of senior citizen insurance policies.
· Yearly preventive health care and check-up
A senior citizen policyholder is entitled to claim the complete expense associated with body check-ups every year.
Things that are not included in senior citizen’s health insurance
Certain aspects are not included in the health insurance plan for senior citizens. Before making any claims, the elderly policyholder must go through the list of exclusions carefully.
· Self-harm injuries or attempted suicide, etc.
· Injuries associated with war in the past
· Sexually transmitted diseases or STDs
· Cosmetic surgeries unless required medically
· Obesity-associated treatment
· Gender replacement treatment or surgeries
· Maternity treatment costs
· Experimental or clinical therapies or trials
Claiming health insurance coverage
The process of claiming senior citizens’ health insurance is simple and hassle-free. The policyholder needs to inform the insurance company about the treatment, hospitalization, and other health plan claims. The policyholder can claim settlement either way.
Health coverage reimbursement claim process
When a policyholder files for a reimbursement claim, he/she has to pay the entire medical expense. The claim procedure involves the following steps.
· Informing the health insurance company while seeking the treatment or hospitalization for the medical condition.
· Paying the medical bills and collecting all the necessary documents.
· Raising the claim following the process as mentioned by the health insurance company.
Cashless claim process
One of the highlighting aspects of cashless treatment is that it can be availed from a network of hospitals. According to USHG reviews, it is one of the popular health insurance coverages availed by policyholders. The claim process involves the steps mentioned below.
· Visiting the network hospital that offers cashless treatment under the name of a specific insurance provider.
· Submitting the required documents.
· Paying the applicable deductibles and the insurance company bears the maximum hospitalization expenses.
Conclusion
Elderly people are more in need of medical treatment than their younger counterparts. With age, hospitalization and doctor visits are more, and the cost of treatment is also high. This can create a burden on their finances and life savings. This is where health insurance coverages can be of great help offering financial freedom and also getting treatment at the right time. The stress of increasing medical expenses gets eliminated by investing in the right senior citizens’ health insurance policies. According to USHG reviews, the majority of senior citizens opt for cashless hospitalization and domiciliary treatment options.
