6 Add-on covers your health insurance policy must have

A health insurance policy is an invaluable tool that safeguards your finances and ensures peace of mind in the event of a health issue. However, not all insurance plans are created equal. There are hundreds of different health insurance plans, each offering a different bouquet of features. For a customer, selecting an insurance plan can become an arduous task.

A basic health insurance policy covers hospitalisation costs in case of an injury or illness, but it may not cover all the associated expenses. To get enhanced coverage without having to buy multiple health insurance policies, you must #ThinkAhead and opt for various add-on covers.

What is an add-on cover?

An add-on cover or ‘rider’ provides specific coverage for a condition that may not be covered by your basic health insurance policy. Add-on covers come at a fraction of the cost of a full-fledged insurance plan and allow you to customise your insurance coverage based on your needs.

Read on for some key add-on cover options that you should add to your health insurance or Mediclaim policy for all-round protection.

Accidental death benefit

A health insurance plan primarily covers medical costs, but with an accidental death benefit rider, the policyholder can secure their family’s future with a 100% payout that is equivalent to the sum assured under the policy.

Day care procedures

Not all health issues require hospitalisation. Various health checkups, diagnostic tests, and minor procedures such as cataract surgery, dialysis, chemotherapy, angiography, etc. can be done in a few hours. With a day care add-on cover, there’s no need to pay for any outpatient treatment.

Vaccination cover

Both children and adults may require vaccinations against communicable diseases such as typhoid and hepatitis B, or even the deadly COVID-19 (for which vaccines are being tested). In some cases, the cost of immunisation may be very high. A vaccination cover allows you and your family members to get protection without having to dip into your pocket.

Consumable expenses

Consumables are single-use items such as syringes, gloves, masks, cotton swabs, etc. Most standard insurance plans do not cover these. For patients requiring surgery or prolonged hospitalisation, the cost of consumables can add significantly to their out-of-pocket expenses. With this cover, however, policyholders won’t have to pay for ancillary costs.

Emergency air ambulance

In a life-threatening situation, time is of the essence. If a patient is stranded in a remote area or needs to be shifted to another facility, they can avail of an emergency airlift via plane or helicopter as a part of the cover and save precious time.

Bariatric surgery

Lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and heart ailments are on the rise. Obesity and inactivity are major reasons for this. Bariatric or weight loss surgery allows patients to take preventive measures before the condition becomes severe. Many insurance plans exclude this surgery, terming it a cosmetic procedure. With a bariatric surgery cover, you can rest assured that your claim will be accepted in case you need to undergo this life-saving weight loss procedure.

Last words

There are various factors and cost heads that come into play while availing of medical treatment. Add-on covers make it possible for you and your family to get adequate medical attention without losing your savings. In addition to the six add-on covers mentioned above, Tata AIG offers a host of other valuable riders such as hospital cash benefit, domiciliary treatment, global insurance cover, AYUSH benefit, maternity cover, and many more that can be added to your health insurance or Mediclaim policy.

These riders provide ironclad financial protection, but there’s a further benefit. The premium paid towards the add-on cover along with your basic insurance plan can be claimed as a deduction under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act. To understand health insurance tax benefits, we've curated an indepth guide to help you save on taxes by the purchase of a health insurance plan