How Parent’s Health Insurance Differs from Senior Citizen Insurance

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Jan 20, 2025
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Choosing the right health insurance plan for your family can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to deciding between parents’ health insurance and senior citizen insurance. Both options cater to different needs and age groups, making it essential to understand their features before making a decision. Let’s explore their differences and benefits to help you make an informed choice.

Choosing the right health insurance plan for your family can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to deciding between parents’ health insurance and senior citizen insurance. Both options cater to different needs and age groups, making it essential to understand their features before making a decision. Let’s explore their differences and benefits to help you make an informed choice.

Features of Parent’s Health Insurance

Health insurance for parents policies are designed to provide coverage to parents, typically covering individuals aged 40-65 years. Here's what makes them stand out:

1. Comprehensive Coverage

These policies cover a wide range of medical expenses, including pre-hospitalisation, surgery, and post-hospitalisation costs.

2. Cashless Treatment

Enjoy the convenience of cashless hospitalisation at network hospitals, reducing financial stress during medical emergencies.

3. No-Claim Bonus

If you don’t file a claim during a policy year, you can receive a no-claim bonus, which increases your sum insured without extra premiums.

4. Lifetime Renewability

Most policies offer lifetime renewability, ensuring your parents remain covered as they age.

5. Co-Payment

Parent’s health insurance often includes co-payment clauses, where the insured shares a portion of the medical expenses.

6. Waiting Period

These policies usually have a waiting period for pre-existing conditions, which varies across providers.

7. Premium

Premiums for parents' health insurance are generally affordable compared to senior citizen plans, as insured individuals are relatively younger.

8. Access to the Best Healthcare Services

Many plans provide access to top-tier hospitals and advanced medical treatments.

9. Tax Benefits

Policyholders can claim tax deductions on premiums under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act.

Features of Senior Citizen Health Insurance

Health insurance for senior citizens caters specifically to individuals aged 60 years and above. These policies offer tailored benefits for older adults who may face higher health risks.

1. Comprehensive Coverage

These plans offer extensive coverage, including hospitalisation for both emergencies and planned treatments, critical illness treatments, and even day-care procedures that don't require overnight stays. This ensures that senior citizens have financial support for a range of medical needs.

2. Cashless Hospitalisation

Just like with parents' health insurance, these policies provide cashless hospitalisation at a wide network of hospitals. This eliminates the need for upfront payments and simplifies the process of seeking medical care during emergencies.

3. Coverage for Critical Illnesses

Many senior citizen health plans include coverage for life-threatening and high-risk illnesses like cancer, kidney failure, heart disease, and more. Since these conditions are more prevalent in older age, having this coverage ensures that seniors are protected from significant medical expenses.

4. No Claim Bonus

Senior citizen insurance policies often come with a no-claim bonus for every claim-free year. This rewards healthy seniors by increasing the sum insured or offering a discount on premiums, thus encouraging regular check-ups and maintaining good health.

5. Tax Benefits

Premiums paid for senior citizen health insurance policies are eligible for higher tax deductions under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act. This not only ensures financial security but also provides a tax-saving opportunity, making it a cost-effective choice for senior citizens.

6. Preventive Health Check-ups

These policies frequently cover the costs of regular health check-ups, which are essential for early diagnosis and timely treatment of medical conditions. Preventive care helps seniors monitor their health and address any issues before they become serious.

7. Coverage for Pre-Existing Diseases

Unlike many other types of health insurance, senior citizen policies typically offer coverage for pre-existing conditions after a shorter waiting period. This is particularly beneficial for older individuals who may already have ongoing health issues and need continuous medical care.

8. Access to Quality Medical Care

Senior citizen health insurance ensures that elderly individuals have access to high-quality medical services. Whether it’s for regular doctor visits or emergency care, these plans cater to the specific health needs of seniors, providing peace of mind when it comes to their healthcare.

What Should You Take for Your Parents?

When deciding between parents health insurance and senior citizen insurance, consider factors like your parents’ age, health condition, and financial stability. If your parents are younger and relatively healthy, a parents’ health insurance policy might be sufficient. However, for older parents or those with existing health issues, senior citizen insurance provides better-suited coverage and benefits.

When to Choose Parent’s Health Insurance vs Senior Citizen Insurance

Choose Parent’s Health Insurance If:

  • Your parents are below 60 years of age.

  • They have no major pre-existing health conditions.

  • You want affordable premiums with comprehensive coverage.

Choose Senior Citizen Insurance If:

  • Your parents are 60 years or older.

  • They require coverage for critical illnesses or pre-existing conditions.

  • You prefer higher tax benefits and preventive health check-ups.

Distinctions Between Parent’s Health Insurance and Senior Citizen Insurance

  Feature  Parent’s Health Insurance   Senior Citizen Insurance
  Eligibility  Covers individuals aged 40-65 years   Designed for individuals aged 60+ years
  Premiums  Affordable   Higher due to greater health risks
  Coverage  Comprehensive, but fewer critical illnesses   Includes critical illnesses and pre-existing conditions
  Waiting Period  Longer for pre-existing conditions   Shorter waiting period
  Tax Benefits  Available under Section 80D   Higher deductions under Section 80D

Conclusion

Both parents’ health insurance and senior citizen health insurance serve their purposes, tailored to different age groups and health requirements. While parents’ insurance is a cost-effective option for relatively younger parents, senior citizen insurance ensures comprehensive coverage for older individuals with specific health needs.

If you’re looking for a reliable provider, SBI General Health Insurance offers a range of policies catering to both age groups. With benefits like cashless hospitalisation, an extensive network of hospitals, and affordable premiums, SBI General Insurance ensures peace of mind for you and your family.

 

Disclaimer: The above information is indicative in nature. For more details on the risk factor, terms and conditions, please refer to the Sales Brochure and Policy Wordings carefully before concluding a sale.

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How to File a Health Insurance Claim?

With the rising medical expenses and changing lifestyles, it has become imperative to purchase a comprehensive health insurance plan in today‘s time. Additionally, the recent COVID-19 pandemic has further established the importance of health insurance even firmly. A health insurance policy is the finest way to receive the best medical treatment without burning a hole in your pocket.

Be it an unforeseen medical emergency or a planned treatment, a health insurance policy can always come to your rescue. However, to avoid any last-minute hassle, you must be well aware of the process to file a health insurance claim beforehand. Below is a quick guide on how to file a health insurance claim.

But firstly, let‘s understand what a health insurance claim is.

Health Insurance Claim

A health insurance claim is a request that a policyholder must submit to the insurer for getting the services that are covered in their health insurance policy. Depending upon their convenience, policyholders can either opt for a cashless claim settlement option or reimbursement for the availed medical services.

Cashless Claims

For cashless claims, the insurance provider settles the hospitalization bills directly with the hospital. However, to get the benefits of a cashless claim, the policyholder should be hospitalized only at a network hospital of the insurer.

Reimbursement Claim

In case of reimbursement claims, the policyholder pays for the hospitalization expenses and later requests for reimbursement by the insurance company. The reimbursement facility can be availed at both network and non-network hospitals.

Now that you are well aware of the types of health insurance claims, let‘s understand how to file a health insurance claim

How to File a Health Insurance Claim?

1. Get in touch with the insurance help desk at the hospital

2. Show the ID card of the insured provided by the insurance company

3. The hospital will verify the insured‘s identity and will submit the pre-authorization form to the insurance company

4. The insurance company will then review all the documents submitted and process the claim as per the terms and conditions of the health insurance policy.

5. For reimbursement claims, you will also have to submit original bills to the insurance provider. The insurer will then evaluate the claim and make a payment to the insured. In case the treatment is not covered under the health insurance policy, the claim will be rejected.

Make sure that you have the following documents readily available with you before filing a health insurance claim.

Documents Required to Make a Claim

  • Valid photo ID cards such as Aadhaar, PAN, and Driving License

  • Copies of prescription for diagnostic tests, treatment advice, and medical references

  • Original set of investigation reports

  • Original hospital and pharmacy bill

  • Original discharge card or discharge certificate

It‘s always advisable to opt for an insurance company with a high claim settlement ratio and a large number of network hospitals. This makes the claim settlement process completely hassle-free.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. When can my health insurance claim be rejected?

Your claim can be rejected if you file a claim for an ailment that isn‘t covered by your health insurance policy. Moreover, your claim can also be rejected if you fail to submit the necessary documents or file a claim during the waiting period

2. What is the minimum time limit for hospitalization to make a health insurance claim?

You can file a claim if your hospitalization is for more than 24 hours. However, for certain treatments, such as dialysis, chemotherapy, etc., the stay could be less than 24 hours

3. What is claim settlement ratio?

The claim settlement ratio is the ratio of number of claims paid to the number of claims received

Health Insurance

All About Adding Spouse To Health Insurance After Marriage

Marriage brings a lot of changes in your life. Not only does it affect your lifestyle, but it also requires you to switch your investments in a way that are better suited for a family. You will now want to include your spouse to your financial world by adding them as a nominee in your banking accounts and other investment assets. Amidst all these personal and financial changes, do not forget to add your spouse to your health insurance plan. Adding spouse to health insurance after marriage is quite easy and can be done in three ways.

  • Buying a new family floater plan

    If you do not have an existing health insurance plan, now would be a great time to invest your money in a family floater health insurance plan. Health insurance plans for family members cover your spouse, parents, and dependent children. The family floater plan allows you to pay a single premium to cover all named family members for medical expenses.

    When buying a family floater plan, do ensure that it offers adequate coverage for you and your family. It is also important to keep in mind that the coverage amount is directly proportional to the health insurance premium you need to pay. This means that a family health insurance plan that offers a sum insured of Rs 10 lakh will require you to pay lower premium as compared to a family health insurance plan that offers coverage of Rs 20 lakh. However, it is advisable to opt for a higher sum insured if you have senior members in the plan.

  • Adding spouse to insurance after marriage

    If you already have an existing health insurance policy, you can extend the cover to your spouse by adding their name to the policy after marriage. Upon adding you spouse, the individual health insurance plan will be transformed into a family floater plan. Since the coverage amount will increase, the premium of the policy will be recalculated. You can also add your spouse to your existing health insurance policy at the time of its renewal. You will need an application form and a few KYC documents like identity proof, residence proof, marriage certificate and photographs, to get this process started. You can easily get the application form from the insurer’s website.

  • Adding your spouse to the health insurance plan offered by your employer

    There are many companies that offer health plans to their employees. These plans usually extend the coverage to the immediate family of the employee. However, this condition varies from one insurer to the other. Hence, it is better to check with your insurance company if they allow you to add your spouse to the existing health insurance plan that is issued by your employer. Here, it is important to remember that the health insurance policies offered by employers are group insurance plans and may, therefore, have certain limitations to coverage. Still, these plans offer a great option for coverage in case you don’t have health insurance of your own.

It is quite important to avail the health insurance cover for your spouse after marriage. This can help the both of you to securely plan your financial future.

Disclaimer: The above information is indicative in nature. For more details on the risk factor, terms and conditions, please refer to the Sales Brochure and Policy Wordings carefully before concluding a sale.

Health Insurance

Steps of adding spouse to health insurance after marriage

Marriage is a huge step in everybody’s life. And personal finance has a big role to play for a successful married life. Therefore, it is important to update the financial records, including the health insurance plan, post-marriage.

In case you did not have an individual health insurance policy before the wedding, you can invest in a family floater plan for yourself and your spouse. In case you already have an individual health insurance policy at the time of wedlock, then you do not need to buy another one for your partner. Instead, you can add your spouse to the plan and convert it into a single policy. It is a feasible and simple way of ensuring that you and your partner are adequately covered.

Porting health insurance after marriage is also important. When one of the partners already owns a plan, you simply need to add another partner to the current policy as the spouse. There is no specific rule which specifies who can add the partner. The process of adding the spouse to health insurance after marriage is simple. The one who owns the policy can start this process with the submission of KYC documents such as identity proof, proof of age, photographs and marriage certificate.

The change will come into effect in the next policy renewal by just submitting the additional form and paperwork. Once you do this, the premium will be calculated and pro-rated. It will become a family floater insurance policy that covers all the members of the family for a single premium. You will not have to worry about paying separate premiums for each member of the family. It will cover the entire family at the lowest premium based on the age of the members in the family. Let us take a look at the benefits of a family floater plan.

  • A major perk of the floater plan is that you can cover yourself and your entire family in one policy. The policy is easier to handle and you do not have to worry about handling separate individual plans

  • You enjoy additional benefits like a newborn cover, maternity benefits, etc. It will be highly effective for young married couples who are on the road to starting a family. You must ensure that you choose a plan that covers yourself and the spouse and invest in one right after marriage

  • You must also get maternity cover at the earliest. It has a waiting period between 0 to 4 years and if you buy the cover on time, you will be able to enjoy the maximum benefits

  • With a family floater plan, you enjoy the same tax benefits under Section 80D as you do on individual health insurance

  • Many plans come with a reinstatement feature where you enjoy the reinstatement of the entire coverage after it is exhausted in the policy period. This is only applicable to unrelated claims but it is very useful.

If you do not have a policy and are looking to buy one, consider a joint life policy. It will work on the same lines and will provide coverage to your children in future if anything unfortunate happens to the parents. The main reasons couples should think of joint life insurance are premium reduction and waiver benefits. In this case, if one partner dies due to an unfortunate event, the spouse will not only be entitled to enjoy the full sum assured on the cover but will also be absolved of the responsibility of the payment of premium. Alternatively, the spouse may have to pay premiums only applicable for their own cover for the remaining period of the policy.

After your marriage, it is your responsibility to ensure the safety and adequate coverage of your spouse. You must include your spouse in the decision and speak to them about the coverage you wish to buy. Only then proceed with the decision. The right health insurance plan will offer acomplete protection and peace for the future.

Disclaimer: The above information is indicative in nature. For more details on the risk factor, terms and conditions, please refer to the Sales Brochure and Policy Wordings carefully before concluding a sale.

Health Insurance

Advantages of Group Health Insurance

As the name suggests, group health insurance is aimed to offer health insurance cover to a group of people, usually employees, and if offered by an employer. It can also be offered to members of a professional association or a society. As compared to individual insurance, group insurance has many benefits for the employee as well as the employer who offers the insurance.

  1. Comprehensive cover: Group health insurance plans offer wide coverage and can be customised by the employer. It comes with many benefits like cashless healthcare services at network hospitals. There is no waiting period which means the employee is covered from day one. Besides personal accident cover, some group health insurance plans offer cover to family members of the employee.

  1. Guaranteed cover: All employees and in some cases their dependants are covered, even if they have existing medical conditions. A group insurance policy doesn't require a separate medical check-up. As long as an employee is working for the organisation offering group health insurance, he or she shall remain covered under the plan.

  1. Low premium: As group health insurance plans are bought for a larger group of people, they offer comprehensive cover at affordable rates. The costs are much lower than individual health insurance plans. Group health insurance plans can be customised as per the employer’s budget and requirements.

  1. Tax incentive for the employer: Besides safeguarding employees from health issues, group health insurance plans also provide tax benefits to the employer. Under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act, tax relief is offered to businesses that give their employees the benefit of group health insurance.

  1. Happy employees: When companies offer health insurance plans to their employees, they help retain and attract good talent. A Group Health Insurance plan is a significant part of the employees’ total compensation. A group health insurance plan provides employees with financial security against accident and illness.

  1. Rider options: With a nominal extra payment, employees can take advantage of other additional benefits. The employee can also opt for a corporate plan along with the base plan offered by the employer. The riders may differ from one organisation to another.

Provide your employees SBI General Group Health Insurance

Group health insurance is a very important benefit that makes employees feel like a valued part of an organisation. It helps companies retain as well as attract talent. SBI General Group Health Insurance plans offer multiple coverages: Individual, family floater. It offers wide coverage from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 7.5 lakh. The group health insurance plans offer pre- and post-hospitalisation expenses. With SBI General group health insurance plans keep your employees happy.

Disclaimer: SBI General Insurance Company Limited I Corporate & Registered Office: 'Natraj', 301, Junction of Western Express Highway & Andheri - Kurla Road, Andheri (East), Mumbai - 400 069. | The information in the advertisement is indicative in nature. For more details on the risk factor, terms and conditions, please refer to the Sales Brochure and Policy Wordings carefully before concluding a sale. * ‘Tax benefits are subject to changes in tax laws’ I 'For SBI General Insurance Company Limited IRDAI Reg. No. 144 dated 15/12/2009 | CIN: U66000MH2009PLC190546 | SBI Logo displayed belongs to State Bank of India and used by SBI General Insurance Co. Ltd. under license. | Website : www.sbigeneral.in,Tollfree 18001021111 | UIN: SBIHLGP21330V022021 | ADDIG/20-21/AUG/652