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Single Health Insurance

What is an Individual Health Insurance?

As the name suggests, an individual plan is a type of medical insurance offering coverage, benefits, and security against medical emergencies to a single policyholder. An individual insurance policy acts as a personal safeguard against any expenses arising due to emergency hospitalisation, accidents, or other ailments. As an individual, you can customise the benefits of an individual mediclaim policy while enjoying a pocket-friendly premium.

A lower premium, extensive coverage, and several benefits together make an individual health insurance policy a popular pick among youngsters or individuals. One has to make an informed decision about buying a health insurance plan. With a highly flexible coverage, people of all ages – from young to middle age and elders – can opt for an individual policy to meet their specific medical care needs. Based on the selected plan, individual policy coverage can be extended to the individual's family. Care’s Supreme Health Insurance is a tailor-made individual health insurance policy that offers comprehensive coverage at an affordable cost. Find out why you should consider individual health cover over other options.

Who Should Buy Individual Health Insurance Policy?

While the policy is suitable for people from all walks of life, individuals under the following circumstances should certainly consider buying an individual health insurance policy:

People at a Higher Health Risk

People who are susceptible to increased health risks owing to an unhealthy lifestyle and stressful occupations

Ageing Parents

Elderly parents and family members with specific medical conditions, like diabetes, hypertension, etc.

Uninsured Individuals

If you are uninsured while your family is already insured under a policy, you should get a personal health cover.

People Needing Separate Coverage

Individuals who need a separate sum insured and benefits instead of a shared policy under family floater.

Individuals Suspecting Critical Illnesses

If you have a family history of serious diseases like cancer, etc., you should opt for a policy covering similar conditions individually.

Why Should You Opt for Medical Insurance Plan for Individuals?

Buying an individual health insurance plan comes with a lot of advantages for every kind of individual, especially if you are opting for this policy at an early age. Here’s how you can make the most of it:

An Essential Choice for Working Professionals

Working professionals need utmost security against the rising medical costs and lifestyle diseases while saving for the future. An individual policy is the best pick to protect one’s needs. Also, the employer-provided group mediclaim stops providing coverage when one exits the organisation, whereas a separate health plan can give lifelong coverage.

Lower Health Insurance Premium

The earlier you opt for an individual health plan, the better. Not only will you enjoy a lower premium but also, you will accumulate a significant no-claim bonus, given you stay healthy for a long time. Even if you opt for a personal health cover in old age, you can waive off the co-payment by opting for optional waiver benefits.

Suitable for the Elderly

Including elderly family members in a family floater plan may not be a good idea as it can increase the premium. So, get a separate individual health cover for your elders that meets their different medical needs. With benefits like alternative treatment and annual health check-ups, it becomes easy for senior citizens to manage their health better.

Comprehensive Coverage and Flexibility to Customize

Whether young or old, the biggest advantage of buying individual health insurance is that you can customise the plan as per your health status and needs. For instance, diabetics can buy a mediclaim with pre-existing diseases while people with a family history of heart or cancer diseases can opt for a critical illness cover.

Safeguard against Rising Health Issues

Long hours of work and inactivity is causing many households to struggle with lifestyle diseases like diabetes, hypertension, etc. The pandemic has further increased health risks for everyone. A personal cover protects you from all kinds of health risks, no matter your age and health status.

Pre-existing Diseases and other Ailments Covered

As a policyholder, you may have a specific health condition or prolonged ailment. Under an individual plan, you can get customised coverage for your pre-existing diseases. Also, you can get a separate cover for other ailments like heart diseases, organ transplants, cancer, etc.

Better Tax Savings

Opting for a personal cover gives you an added opportunity to save tax on an individual basis. One is eligible to get a maximum deduction of up to Rs 25,000 every year, u/s 80D, on the insurance premium paid. Senior citizens can get a higher deduction of up to Rs 50,000. One can get total deductions of up to Rs 1 lakh if the proposer and insured are above 60 years.

Ability to Avail Bigger Discounts

With a separate cover, you can avail of special discounts on the policy premium paid as per the terms. Especially if you are a young individual, you can avail of early bird discounts up to 10% with Care Plus- Youth Health Cover – offered by Care Health Insurance. Also, as a senior citizen, you can buy a multi-year policy to avail of exclusive discounts on the premium amount. This way, individual covers for every member adds to the discount percentage.

Man IllustrationLook for best health plan that suits your need!

 

 

Features of our Health Insurance for Individuals

Here are some prominent features of our personal health policies:

benefits of securing family health insurance

Benefits of Individual Health Insurance

  • Cashless Hospitalisation- With our vast network of 24800+ cashless healthcare providers, we promise quality medical care at the best price. Our network hospitals ensure your family members can avail of timely healthcare services without draining the family’s savings.
  • Cost-effective Plans- Health Insurance plan for individuals come with expansive benefits at affordable cost. You will not have to pay hefty premium cost to get covered against unforeseen medical emergencies.
  • Customisable Health Benefits- With Care's Family Health Insurance, you can customise the policy features according to your needs. You are free to opt for the right coverage amount and tenure while picking the additional benefits.
  • No Age Limit- There should be no age to feel protected against medical emergencies. With Care Health Insurance’s individual health insurance plan. Our plans ensure lifelong renewability.
  • Tax Benefit- If you ensure yourself under an individual health insurance plan, you will be able to save tax on the premium you pay and save your savings.

What is Covered under Health Insurance for Individuals?

At Care Insurance, we offer comprehensive and customised policy for individuals under affordable premium rates with the following coverage benefits:

Coronavirus Treatment

Keep yourself safe against the COVID-19 risk with the coverage for standard coronavirus treatment expenses, including hospitalisation and medications.

No Claim Bonus

We reward you for staying healthy and raising no claims by increasing your sum insured under individual coverage by at least 10% of SI every policy year.

Pre and Post-Hospitalization Cover

We secure your hospitalisation to recovery journey with 30-day pre and 60-days post-hospitalization expenses covered under every individual plan.

Modern Day Care Treatment

Thanks to advanced medical technology, several medical treatments are completed within 24 hours. We cover expenses for such 540+ daycare procedures.

Auto Recharge of Sum Insured

To support you during frequent mediclaim needs, we ensure automatic recharge of your individual plan’s sum insured at least once in a policy year.

Annual Health Check-ups

We help you keep track of your health and take preventive measures with free annual health check-ups for insured members under our individual health covers.

Domiciliary Hospitalization Cover

We have your back when you need extra medical care at home. Our personal covers offer coverage for domiciliary care expenses as per policy terms.

In-Patient Care

We promise access to quality medical care with complete in-patient coverage, including ICU charges, doctor’s fees, etc., up to the individual plan’s SI.

Exclusions under Individual Insurance Plans

We shall not reimburse any claim amount for the following standard exclusions under individual plans:

  • Act of self-inflicted injury attempted suicide or suicide.
  • Any illness related directly to the consumption of Alcohol/Tobacco/Cigarettes, etc. or any sexually transmitted disease.
  • Cosmetic or plastic surgeries or related treatment.
  • Pregnancy, miscarriage, childbirth, maternity including C- section, abortion, or complications of any of these.
  • All the treatments required due to participation in hazardous activities.
  • Damage caused by a nuclear, chemical, or biological attack or weapons.
  • Illness or injuries caused due to any breach of law by the insured.

Medical Insurance Plans for Individuals Vs. Family Floater Cover

Let us help you understand how an individual plan is different from a family floater cover based on the following factors:

FactorsIndividual Health InsuranceFamily Floater Cover
Sum InsuredUnder individual plans, the insured’s sum insured is intact for his own use and other family members may have their own limit of sum insured on an individual basis.The entire family shares a common pool of sum insured. Each member or the whole family can utilise the sum insured entirely or partially. However, the shared amount keeps reducing everytime a claim is made by a member.
PremiumThe premium depends on the age of the individual alone.The premium depends entirely on the age of the oldest member in the plan.
Family MembersIf elderly members are 60+ and already suffering from ailments, then you should opt for an individual cover for all the members, especially elders.If you have a small family with young children, then a floater plan is a good option.

Which Plan Should You Choose: Individual or Family Health Insurance Plans?

It is always beneficial to evaluate health insurance early in your financial journey. This can be done easily by actively comparing different plans. The question of which health insurance might suit you, depends on the following situations:

  • Young Individuals: Young professionals who are just entering the workforce are the prime candidates for individual health insurance. The premium amount will be significantly lower as their age is considered to be a reduced risk factor.
  • Young Families With Children: Such families would be better off choosing family health insurance plans. The premium is determined by the age of the oldest member in the plan, but this is an effective way to ensure that your family is protected against unforeseen emergencies.
  • Your Parents: If you have elderly parents who have reached retirement age, then an individual health insurance plan or a Senior Citizens Health Insurance plan is the ideal option for them. The low-costs involved with family health insurance plans leave you with enough budget to buy separate plans for your parents.

Individual Covers: Eligibility, Claim Process, and Other Details

While the entry age of our wide-ranging individual plans may differ among plans, below are the standard eligibility criteria and claim process common across mediclaim for individuals

Minimum Entry Age18 years
Maximum Entry AgeNo upper age limit
RenewalLifelong renewability
Waiting Period
  • 30 days for all illnesses, except for accidental injury
  • 2 years for Named Ailments
  • 4 years for pre-existing illnesses
Tenure Options1/2/3 Years
Co-payment Clause

While buying or renewing the policy at the age of 61 years & above, customers will have the choice to include or exclude the co-payment feature, implying:

  • Continuing the policy with 20% co-payment
  • Continuing the policy without 20% co-pay by opting for a waiver benefit
Claim OptionsCashless and Reimbursement

How to File a Claim?

Filing a claim under a health insurance plan for individuals is easy and quick. Remember, in case of an emergency hospitalisation, you need to intimate our claims department within 24 hours of hospital admission.If it is a planned hosptialisation, kindly intimate us 48 hours prior to the admission date. Here are the steps to follow under the cashless and reimbursement claiming processes-

Cashless Claim ProcessReimbursement Claim Process
Step 1: Go to a listed in-network hospital.Step 1: Submit your claim form along with other required documents.
Step 2: Fill out the proper forms at the insurance desk.Step 2: You'll get an approval letter when your claim is verified.
Step 3: Send the completed form to our claim management team.Step 3: Respond to queries raised by the claim management team.
Step 4: You'll get an approval letter when your claim is verified.Step 4: Get approval from the claim management team.
Step 5: Respond to queries from the claim management team. You will receive communication about whether your cashless claim is approved or rejected within the standard TAT.Step 5: Our claims team will contact you if there are specific reasons for rejecting your claim.

Documents Required to File Health Insurance Claim

  • A duly filled and signed claim form
  • Insured person’s details like name, policy number, nature of the illness, address, etc.
  • All the diagnostics and medical test reports
  • Original payment receipts, hospital bills, and discharge summary papers
  • Original pharmacy bills with prescriptions
  • Doctor’s referral letter
  • Police FIR and post-mortem report in case of personal accident
  • Death certificate

Advantages of Buying Individual Health Insurance Online

In an effort to help you choose and buy best individual health insurance coverage, we have enhanced our digital portals with end-to-end support features and services, including the following facilities:

Secure Payment Modes

We back our digital portals with secure payment options, helping you complete the transaction from anywhere, any time.

Quick Chat Support

Our in-house claims and customer support team resolves all your policy-related queries instantly through our chat service.

Instant Premium Calculation

Our digital premium calculators help you estimate the policy’s cost while comparing premium rates against policies and benefits.

Convenient Policy Selection

You can easily study, evaluate, and compare individual health plans by accessing policy documents through our official website.

Value Added Services

While buying or renewing personal covers online, you can easily modify optional benefits like OPD, etc., to enhance the coverage.

Things to Keep in Mind While Buying Health Insurance for Individuals

Individual medical insurance gives you a financial cushion during a medical emergency and reduces monetary stress. Thus, it's essential to opt for a personal cover wisely. Consider these below things while buying it:

  • Check the minimum age criteria to buy the policy.
  • Look for a sufficient sum insured that meets your healthcare needs.
  • Opt for the plan that costs you a lower premium and does not overburden your pocket.
  • Check if there is a requirement for pre-medical tests to get the individual health policy.
  • Go with an extensive coverage policy that includes in-patient hospitalisation, pre and post hospitalisation, ambulance, second opinion, alternative treatment, and more.
  • Avail of add-on benefits such as no claim bonus, automatic recharge, global coverage, and international second opinion to enhance the coverage.
  • Check the tax exemption eligibility under individual plans

How to buy Individual Health Insurance Online?

Getting your personal health plan is the safest way to protect your health and finances as it provides coverage against any possible certain or uncertain risks. Here is a quick guide to buying online insurance for yourself:

STEP 1

Visit our website and select a suitable health policy.

 

STEP 2

Click on ‘Get Quote’ and provide relevant details.

 

STEP 3

Enter the required information and customise your policy.

 

STEP 4

Make payment through any secure digital payment modes.

 

Individual Health Insurance

Individual Health Insurance is a type of health insurance policy that provides medical coverage and financial protection to a single person against healthcare-related expenses. This policy ensures access to quality medical treatment without worrying about the financial burden during medical emergencies.

It is a suitable option for individuals who want a personalized health cover with benefits tailored to their specific healthcare needs.

 

Key Features of Individual Health Insurance

Comprehensive Coverage

  • Covers hospitalization expenses, pre- and post-hospitalization costs, and other medical treatments.

Affordable Premiums

  • Premiums are calculated based on the individual’s age, health condition, and sum insured, making it cost-effective for young and healthy individuals.

Cashless Treatment

  • Allows cashless hospitalization at network hospitals associated with the insurance provider.

Lifelong Renewability

  • Most individual health insurance plans offer lifetime renewal, ensuring continued coverage throughout life.

Tax Benefits

  • Premiums paid for the policy are eligible for tax deductions under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act.

Wide Range of Sum Insured

  • Offers flexibility in choosing the sum insured, typically ranging from ₹1 lakh to ₹1 crore or more.

Coverage for Pre-Existing Diseases

  • Covers pre-existing illnesses after a waiting period, which is usually between 2 to 4 years, depending on the insurer.

Benefits of Individual Health Insurance

Tailored Coverage

  • Ensures that the policyholder gets coverage based on their specific healthcare needs.

Financial Security

  • Reduces out-of-pocket expenses during medical emergencies and ensures access to quality healthcare.

Coverage for Hospitalization Expenses

  • Includes room rent, ICU charges, doctor’s fees, diagnostic tests, and medication costs during hospitalization.

Optional Add-Ons

  • Customize the policy with riders such as critical illness cover, accidental coverage, maternity benefits, etc.

No Claim Bonus (NCB)

  • Provides discounts or increases the sum insured for every claim-free year.

What Does Individual Health Insurance Cover?

Hospitalization Expenses

  • In-patient hospitalization costs such as room rent, nursing charges, doctor’s fees, etc.

Pre- and Post-Hospitalization

  • Medical expenses incurred before and after hospitalization, typically for 30–60 days before and 60–90 days after treatment.

Daycare Treatments

  • Covers medical procedures that do not require 24-hour hospitalization (e.g., cataract surgery, chemotherapy).

Domiciliary Treatment

  • Covers treatment taken at home if the patient cannot be hospitalized.

Ambulance Charges

  • Includes expenses for emergency transportation to the hospital.

Critical Illnesses (with add-ons)

  • Covers expenses for life-threatening illnesses like cancer, kidney failure, or heart attack.

Preventive Health Check-Ups

  • Some plans include free annual health check-ups.

What Does Individual Health Insurance Not Cover?

Exclusions typically include:

  1. Pre-existing diseases (during the waiting period).
  2. Cosmetic or plastic surgery.
  3. Dental and vision treatments (unless specified).
  4. Injuries due to self-harm or substance abuse.
  5. Experimental or unapproved treatments.
  6. Maternity expenses (unless covered under specific plans).

Who Should Buy Individual Health Insurance?

Young Professionals

  • Ideal for individuals who are financially independent and want to secure their health.

Individuals Without Employer Coverage

  • A perfect solution for people who do not have employer-provided group health insurance.

People with Specific Health Needs

  • Suitable for individuals seeking tailored coverage for specific health conditions.

Senior Citizens

  • Senior-specific health insurance policies are available under individual plans.

Documents Required to Buy Individual Health Insurance

Identity Proof

  • Aadhaar Card, Passport, PAN Card, or Voter ID.

Address Proof

  • Aadhaar Card, Passport, or Utility Bills.

Age Proof

  • Birth Certificate, Aadhaar, PAN Card, or Passport.

Medical History (if applicable)

  • Medical reports or history for individuals with pre-existing conditions.

Passport-Sized Photographs

  • Recent photographs for policy records.

Income Proof (sometimes required for high coverage plans)

  • Salary slips or bank statements.

How to Buy Individual Health Insurance?

Online

  • Purchase directly from the insurance company’s website or through insurance aggregators.

Offline

  • Contact an insurance agent or visit the insurer’s branch.

Compare Plans

  • Evaluate different plans based on premiums, coverage, network hospitals, and benefits before choosing.

Top Individual Health Insurance Plans in India

  1. HDFC ERGO Optima Restore
  2. ICICI Lombard Health Shield
  3. Star Health Comprehensive Plan
  4. Care Health Insurance Plan
  5. Max Bupa Health Companion

Conclusion

Individual health insurance ensures that you are financially prepared for medical emergencies without compromising your savings. With the option to customize the policy based on your healthcare needs, it provides the perfect blend of financial security and access to quality medical care.

If you need help choosing the best individual health insurance plan or comparing options, feel free to ask!

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Individual Covers: Eligibility, Claim Process, and Other Details

While the entry age of our wide-ranging individual plans may differ among plans, below are the standard eligibility criteria and claim process common across mediclaim for individuals

Minimum Entry Age18 years
Maximum Entry AgeNo upper age limit
RenewalLifelong renewability
Waiting Period
  • 30 days for all illnesses, except for accidental injury
  • 2 years for Named Ailments
  • 4 years for pre-existing illnesses
Tenure Options1/2/3 Years
Co-payment Clause

While buying or renewing the policy at the age of 61 years & above, customers will have the choice to include or exclude the co-payment feature, implying:

  • Continuing the policy with 20% co-payment
  • Continuing the policy without 20% co-pay by opting for a waiver benefit
Claim OptionsCashless and Reimbursement

How to File a Claim?

Filing a claim under a health insurance plan for individuals is easy and quick. Remember, in case of an emergency hospitalisation, you need to intimate our claims department within 24 hours of hospital admission.If it is a planned hosptialisation, kindly intimate us 48 hours prior to the admission date. Here are the steps to follow under the cashless and reimbursement claiming processes-

Cashless Claim ProcessReimbursement Claim Process
Step 1: Go to a listed in-network hospital.Step 1: Submit your claim form along with other required documents.
Step 2: Fill out the proper forms at the insurance desk.Step 2: You'll get an approval letter when your claim is verified.
Step 3: Send the completed form to our claim management team.Step 3: Respond to queries raised by the claim management team.
Step 4: You'll get an approval letter when your claim is verified.Step 4: Get approval from the claim management team.
Step 5: Respond to queries from the claim management team. You will receive communication about whether your cashless claim is approved or rejected within the standard TAT.Step 5: Our claims team will contact you if there are specific reasons for rejecting your claim.

Documents Required to File Health Insurance Claim

  • A duly filled and signed claim form
  • Insured person’s details like name, policy number, nature of the illness, address, etc.
  • All the diagnostics and medical test reports
  • Original payment receipts, hospital bills, and discharge summary papers
  • Original pharmacy bills with prescriptions
  • Doctor’s referral letter
  • Police FIR and post-mortem report in case of personal accident
  • Death certificate