Despite a critical illness health insurance rider covering approximately 15 different severe ailments, a single-disease policy is more advantageous. In addition to standard health insurance policies, single-disease cover plans provide comprehensive coverage for one illness. These plans are simple, the policyholder must pay only one premium, and there is no intricate underwriting from the insurer. These plans also do not require any checkups. A policyholder must provide a duly completed form and a self-declaration that they do not have any pre-existing medical conditions.
Consumers Want Tailor-made Plans
Consumer demands have also evolved with changing habits and the advent of many lifestyle diseases. In addition to the basic coverage, there is growing interest in benefits tailored to the individual's needs. As a result, insurers provide specialised plans covering medical expenses for dengue, diabetes and hypertension, heart disease, cancers and more.
Benefit of Specific-disease Plans
Some specialised health insurance plans, particularly those covering severe illnesses like cancer, are preferable to stand-alone critical illness insurance. The former offers coverage for the condition at any stage — early or advanced, whereas critical illness health insurance only covers cancer at an advanced stage. Also, even though a critical illness plan usually offers a lump sum payment compared to several cancer-specific insurance options on the market, it does not waive off future premiums.
Besides critical illness covers, it's worth asking how these single-disease cover insurance policies stack up against comprehensive health plans covering every ailment. The answer lies in the sum insured. A comprehensive plan gives complete coverage, typically for between INR 2 to 3 lakh. This sum is insufficient for treating severe, life-threatening diseases, especially in urban areas. So, those who do not have a more significant sum insured, increase it by getting top-up insurance.
Everybody Should have a Disease-specific Cover
A basic indemnity policy that considers the policyholder's lifestyle and health status are crucial. Still, those in the high-risk category with pre-existing diseases or a family medical history of ailment must also buy supplemental coverage for a single illness they are vulnerable to. Doing so will protect them against excessive medical costs arising from these hereditary or pre-existing conditions.
Salaried people with basic health insurance from their employer may consider upgrading it with specific policies. This policy is suitable for people who fall into the high-risk category, is simple to use and may be obtained by merely paying a single premium without the need for extensive underwriting. If you fall into the high-risk category, you only need a single disease policy.
Types of Health Insurance for Specific Diseases
Many conditions are provided with single-disease cover. These are:
Diabetes Specific
Patients with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are covered under a special plan that includes ailments related to the disease. It covers medical expenses incurred while a diabetic patient is hospitalised and is offered in individual and floater forms. Some plans call for medical checkups, while others do not. Before you buy health insurance for diabetes, do check the terms and conditions and exclusion, but benefits under this plan typically include:
- Coverage for all daycare activities
- Hospital bills to treat Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes complications
- Outpatient coverage for prescription drugs, doctor visits, and diagnostic procedures
- Up to 30 days of pre and post-hospitalisation coverage
- Personal accident death insurance
- Up to 24 months' worth of dialysis charges (INR 1,000 per session)
- Amputation-related costs for artificial limbs
Cardiac-specific Plan
Another disease-specific plan, its payout includes medical expenses for patients with heart issues undergoing heart-related operations and treatments. Some plans work well as health insurance for those with pre-existing heart conditions. These include options such as OPD cover, international second opinion, home care options, and active health checkups. You can avail of:
- Pre-hospitalisation for 30 days and post-hospitalisation for 60 days
- Coverage for alternative therapies up to a set insured amount
- Annual cardiac examination
- Treatment for all forms of hernias, total knee replacement, cataract surgery, hysterectomies
- Surgical treatment of kidney stones
- Expenses incurred on cerebrovascular disorders treatment, cancer surgeries, other renal complications and disorders, and treatment for fractures.
- Complete inpatient coverage, ambulance cover, domiciliary treatment, ICU, no claim bonus benefits, etc.
Cancer-specific Plans
Policies usually cover expenses of the first or even the second case of cancer at a reasonable price. The plan is available for self, spouse, dependent children and parents. Its benefits are:
- Cover for relapse, metastasis or second case of cancer
- Room rent
- Nursing expenses
- Hospitalisation expenses
- Anaesthetist, surgeon, consultant and specialist fees
- Oxygen and blood expenses
- 30 days of pre-hospitalisation and 60 days of post hospitalisation
- Daycare procedure expenses
Dengue and COVID-19
Disease-specific plans also include unexpected ailments such as dengue and, more recently, COVID-19. These plans also cover both outpatient visits and in-patient care. You will get coverage on home nursing, pharmacy, and diagnostic tests, pre-hospitalisation costs for up to 15 days, post-hospitalisation for up to 15 days, room rent and other regular cover.
Conclusion
A comprehensive health insurance plan does come in handy to foot your medical bills when an emergency arises, but sometimes the coverage is not enough in case to tackle specific diseases. If you think you might have a chance of contracting a disease because of a hereditary or pre-existing condition, then even a critical plan may not be the solution. You may need to look at disease-specific coverage. Usually, most diseases have coverage, whether cancer, diabetes, heart issues, dengue or even COVID. Compare health insurance plans and get the one that suits you the best.
