GOVERNMENT HEALTH INSURANCE FOR SENIOR CITIZENS

Due to their advanced age, seniors are more vulnerable to illnesses, making their medical costs a burden on the family. But not everyone has the money to purchase private health insurance. Government health insurance for senior citizens can be useful in this situation. Learn more about the many public health insurance programs in India that provide medical care to anyone over 60.

These terms and restrictions also apply to the family floater plans, where additional family members are subject to them. What purpose does it serve to discuss all of this, then? Basically, our goal in being here is to assist you in choosing one of the best public health insurers' senior citizen health insurance plans, which are available to those over 60. Here is a quick summary of the senior citizen health insurance programmes offered by public or government-run insurance providers.

Public Health Insurers' Senior Citizen Health Insurance Programmes

1. Policy on National Varistha Mediclaim

Seniors between the ages of 80 are offered the Varistha Mediclaim policy by the National Health Insurance Company, which provides medical insurance coverage. Although the coverage only lasts for a year, it can be renewed up until the age of 90. The following list includes some of this health insurance plan's features:

• The cost of medications, pharmaceuticals, blood, oxygen, diagnostic fees, etc. is covered by the policy.
• Additionally, the policy covers eight serious illnesses.
• The sum insured limit for inpatient and outpatient care is Rs. 1 lakh, and for critical illnesses it is Rs. 2 lakhs.
• For emergency ambulance costs, up to Rs 1000
• Only up to a predetermined dollar level is covered for the treatment of serious medical conditions like cataract surgery, organ transplantation, and benign prostatic hyperplasia.
• It covers the costs charged by doctors, consultants, specialists, and other medical professionals.
• It is possible to receive coverage for conditions like cancer, MS, stroke, etc. without being admitted to the hospital.
• Up to Rs. 15,000 in premiums may be deducted under section 80D of the Income Tax Act.

2. New India Assurance Senior Citizen Mediclaim Policy

For those between the ages of 60 and 80, New India Assurance Health Insurance has created the Senior Citizen Mediclaim Policy. Below is a list of the features of this government health insurance scheme for senior citizens:

• The senior person insured under this plan has a choice of a sum insured between Rs. 1 lakh and Rs. 1.5 lakh.
• After an 18-month waiting period, it covers diseases that already exist.
• It covers hospitalization costs for 30 and 60 days, respectively, before and after.
• If the spouse is covered, the premium will be discounted by 10%.
• After 18 months, some pre-existing conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and associated problems may be covered with an extra premium.

3. National Senior Citizen Mediclaim Policy

People between the ages of 60 and 80 can obtain the national senior citizen medical insurance policy, which provides a higher insured amount of up to Rs 10 lakh. On a family floater basis, you can additionally insure your spouse. The coverage features offered by the National Senior Citizen Mediclaim policy are listed below:

• The insurance covers the costs of a doctor, surgeon, anaesthetist, as well as lodging, transfusion, and injection fees.
• The insurance covers ambulance fees and costs related to organ donors.
• Pre-existing conditions have a 24-month waiting period.
• It also provides coverage for mental illness and HIV.
• The use of homoeopathy and ayurveda is also covered.
• Network hospitals offer cashless payment options for services.
• Tax benefits under section 80D are available on the premiums paid.

4. Oriental Senior Citizen Hope Health Insurance

For those over 60, Oriental Health Insurance has created this Senior Citizen health insurance plan. Below is a list of the features of the policy:

• The senior person insured under this plan has a choice of a sum insured between Rs. 1 lakh and Rs. 5 lakhs.
• It covers pre-existing conditions after a 24-month waiting period.
• The insurance covers the costs incurred by a doctor, surgeon, anaesthetist, etc.
• Additionally, it pays for ambulance, chemotherapy, dialysis, radiotherapy, and other related expenses.

5. United India Senior Citizen Mediclaim Policy

This Senior Citizen Mediclaim plan from United India Health Insurance is geared toward those between the ages of 61 and 80. Below is a list of the features of the policy:

• The senior insured under this plan has a choice of a sum insured between Rs. 1 lakh and Rs. 3 lakhs.
• It covers pre-existing conditions after a 48-month waiting period.
• The government Mediclaim for senior citizens covers doctors, surgeons, anaesthetists, and other professionals' fees, etc.
• Additionally, it pays for hospital fees such as those for blood, medications, pharmaceuticals, anaesthesia, etc.

The Value of Government Mediclaim for Senior Citizens

Examine the advantages provided by various government health schemes for senior citizens, as well as how they contribute to lowering out-of-pocket medical costs:

1. Old Age Brings A Variety Of Medical Issues

Even with a very healthy lifestyle, it might be quite challenging to avoid several medical issues that are specific to ageing. Medical insurance can be a huge help to the patient and their family. Senior citizen health insurance plans are typically created for the elderly, who are more susceptible to health concerns. Due to rising health concerns and retirement age without a reliable source of income, people over 45 and close to 60 should be prepared with health insurance. Health insurance policies offer the finest possible care at some of the best hospitals with the least amount of out-of-pocket costs because they cover key important conditions like organ donor costs, cancer, heart failure, etc.

2. You Become Financially Independent With A Health Plan

In the event of an unanticipated illness or hospitalisation, it offers comfort. A senior health insurance plan is made to cover medical costs without requiring help from other family members. In network hospitals, you can take advantage of cashless hospitalisation to lower your out-of-pocket costs.

3.You Need Not Spend All Of Your Savings

We kept this one for last since some of you may have been thinking all along that they could easily cover all medical expenditures and not even become dependent on their family as well because they have enormous savings for them that they have been amassing for a long time. Let's assume that you have a sufficient amount of savings—perhaps even more than what most insurance policies cover.

However, don't you believe that the money would be better invested somewhere else and that there are undoubtedly better uses for it, such as paying off significant debts or using it in times of financial crisis? Even if no such circumstances arise, you can still leave it to your family as a legacy. If you actually have savings, you can easily afford a health plan without making a major dent in your savings. If not, you may use this money to buy your dream car or take a lavish vacation instead. The entire cost of a health plan, including all premiums, is far lower.

Conclusion

Financial concerns caused by the cost of hospital stays and medical treatments could be avoided with adequate insurance coverage. To protect yourself and your parents from any unanticipated medical emergency, you can choose from a variety of government health schemes for senior citizens offered by various insurance providers.

FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Can a senior citizen renew their government health scheme for senior citizens?

Wherever practicable, the individual should be permitted to alter their Third-Party Administrator (TPA) for a government health insurance programme for older citizens. A senior citizen health plan's renewal request cannot be denied by an insurance carrier unless there is evidence of fraud, misrepresentation, etc.

Q2. How many public sector insurers provide senior persons with health insurance?

In general, government health insurance schemes for senior citizens are offered through four public sector non-life insurance companies for the benefit of the nation. The public sector insurers are listed in this blog, read to know more about them.

Q3. What is health insurance for seniors?

Senior Citizen Health Insurance is a type of health insurance that provides medical protection to anyone between the ages of 60 and 75. The cashless hospitalisation benefit, day care reimbursement, and pre-existing and sickness coverage are only a few of the special features of senior citizen medical insurance.