How to Cover Parents in Group Health Insurance?

Group health insurance covers a broad spectrum of individuals associated with an organisation. Let us have a look at who all are covered under this plan:

Employees: Group health insurance primarily covers employees. It may include both full-time and part-time employees.

Trust or Association Members: Members of associations may also opt for group health insurance plans.

Registered Groups with Common Interest: Members of registered groups with a common goal and interest are covered under GHI.

Family Members: Many group health plans extend coverage to employees’ families. This can include spouses, children, and sometimes parents. Coverage terms for family members and other dependents vary as per the policy.

In case your group health policy does not cover your parents, you can do this by following a few simple steps which we will discuss next.

Having a health insurance policy is a must for every individual, especially elderly parents. If you are looking for a health plan for your parents, you may choose to add them to the group mediclaim policy provided by your employer. Here is what you need to do to add them for coverage under the same policy:**

Step 1: First, contact the HR or Admin department of your organisation to understand the terms and conditions of the group health insurance policy. Check if the group mediclaim policy for parents is available in your organisation. If you include parents in the policy from the beginning, you can cover them under your group health insurance.

Step 2: If you can cover your parents under the group medical insurance policy, the next **Step is to check the premium. Choose from a couple of sum-insured options, and you will get the premium details. The premium for parents' health insurance depends on their age and the coverage required.

Step 3: The employer or the employee can pay the premium to the insurance company, based on their agreement. You can add parents at any time during the policy period. If you add parents after the group health insurance policy starts, the insurance company will charge a pro rata premium for the remaining days.

Step 4: After you add your parents to the group medical insurance policy, they will receive health cards with all their details. They can use these health cards to make cashless claims during hospitalisation. If a cashless facility is not available, they can use the health cards to make reimbursement claims.

Step 5: You can choose to add an extra sum insured for yourself, your family, and even your parents to your group health insurance plan. This additional sum insured becomes available to you and your fellow policyholders if the base amount runs out due to medical expenses.

Most group medical insurance plans offer extended coverage options. Employees can include their spouses, and children, and, also in some cases, they can add their parents under the policy. Let us explore some of the benefits of group medical insurance.

No Pre-Medical Check-up Required: The group health insurance plan waives the pre-policy medical check-up requirement. This means you and your dependents, including parents, are insured without undergoing medical tests. Consequently, you receive hassle-free coverage from the policy's inception.

Lower Premium Rates: The group mediclaim policy offers a lot of cost advantages. Compared to individual plans, the premium for a group health plan is a lot less. It offers affordable and comprehensive medical coverage to your spouse, children, and your parents as well.

No Waiting Period: The group medical insurance plan does not generally have any waiting periods. This ensures immediate and comprehensive coverage from day one for employees, as well as their dependents like spouses, children, and parents. In some cases, it offers maternity benefits for female employees.

Coverage against Pre-Existing Diseases: While the group medical cover policy does not have any waiting periods, it is best to confirm coverage for pre-existing conditions. If your parents have critical health conditions, you must clarify their eligibility for claims from day one. This will help you ensure comprehensive medical care for your elderly parents.

Top-Up Features Available: Some group medical insurance plans offer a top-up feature, allowing you to increase the policy's total coverage limit. By paying an additional premium, you can ensure broader financial protection in case medical expenses surpass the base plan's limitations.

This feature acts as a safeguard, mitigating potential out-of-pocket costs associated with unforeseen medical scenarios.

Quick Claim Process: Group health insurance plans generally have a quick claim process for employees. The employer mostly manages most interactions with the insurance company. It eventually minimises the burden on the employee during claim submissions.

Even though group health insurance comes with a lot of benefits for employees and their families, there are some disadvantages too. Let us find out here:

Employer Decides on Continuity of The Plan: The continuation of the group health insurance plan entirely depends on your employer. This means the employer has the right to discontinue the policy or modify coverage levels. They may also potentially limit eligibility for dependents like parents.

Discontinuation of Your Job: The group health insurance coverage terminates as you discontinue your job or switch your job. This stops coverage for you and your family. It may potentially leave a gap until your new employer's plan takes effect.

Adding your parents to your group medical insurance offers them security and peace of mind. They will benefit from quality healthcare coverage at a typically lower cost compared to individual plans.

At Tata AIG, we understand the importance of safeguarding your entire family's health. That is why our group health insurance plans go beyond just employee coverage.

Additionally, organisations seeking business insurance may check out the plans offered by Tata AIG for adequate coverage at a lower premium.

Can I include my parents in my employer's group health insurance plan?

This depends on your employer's specific plan offerings. Many companies allow employees to extend coverage to dependents, including parents. Check with your HR department for details on adding your parents to the group health insurance plan.

Is there a cost to cover my parents in group medical insurance?

Yes, there will likely be an additional premium required for including your parents in the plan. The cost generally varies depending on their age and the level of coverage you select.

Is there enough coverage for my parents' healthcare needs?

Group health insurance plans often offer a base level of coverage. Consider your parents' specific needs before adding them to the group health plan. If a top-up feature is available to increase the total coverage amount, you may go for it.