Illness First, Insurance Later? The Truth About Pre-existing Conditions in Health Insurance
Will Illness Break Your Dream of Getting Insurance?
Friends, life is full of uncertainties. Sometimes happiness, sometimes sadness. But there is one thing that is certain for everyone - illness! Yes, illness can touch anyone. And in today's time, getting treatment is also a burden on the pocket. In such a situation, health insurance becomes necessary.
But do you know, for many people health insurance becomes a distant dream. That is because they already have some disease. Yes, we are talking about pre-existing diseases.
What are pre-existing diseases?
Pre-existing diseases are those diseases which you have already known before taking insurance. It can be any disease, such as diabetes, heart problem, asthma, high blood pressure or any chronic disease.
How do pre-existing diseases affect health insurance?
Now the question arises that how do pre-existing diseases affect your health insurance? So sir, it has a direct impact. Let us understand this in a little more detail:
Difficulty Getting Insurance: The first problem is that insurance companies often refuse to give insurance to people with pre-existing diseases. They think that such people will need more treatment, which may cause them financial loss.
Increased Premium: Even if you get insurance, you may have to pay a higher premium for it. This premium is decided on the basis of the severity of your illness, age and the policy chosen.
Waiting Period: Many insurance companies keep a waiting period for the treatment of pre-existing diseases. During this time, if you have any problem related to the disease and need treatment, the insurance company can reject your claim. This waiting period can usually be from 2 to 4 years.
Should You Not Get Insurance If You Have a Pre-existing Condition?
Friends, this is a big misconception. You must take health insurance even if you have a disease. Disease can come at any time, but by having insurance you become a little more financially secure.
Get Insurance Even with Pre-existing Conditions
Friends, in the last chapter we saw how pre-existing diseases can create problems in getting health insurance. But this does not mean that you should not get insurance. In today's time, many insurance companies are offering insurance plans for people with pre-existing diseases as well.
Which Plans are Available for Pre-existing Conditions?
Portability: If you already have a health insurance policy and you want to make any changes in it, then you can take it from one insurance company to another. This process is called portability. Through portability, you can take a new policy, which will also cover your pre-existing diseases.
Portability with Mortgage: If you have taken health insurance for your home loan, you can also make that policy portable. In this way, you can change your existing policy to a new policy that will cover your pre-existing diseases.
Separate Insurance Plan: Many insurance companies offer separate insurance plans for pre-existing diseases. In these plans, you get cover for the cost of treatment related to the disease. However, the premium in these plans can be slightly higher.
What Precautions to Take While Taking Insurance?
When you are taking insurance with pre-existing diseases, take some precautions:
Understand the Policy: Read all the terms and conditions of the insurance policy carefully. Understand what will be covered for your disease and what will not.
Keep Waiting Period in Mind: Many policies have a waiting period. During this time, you will not get cover for disease-related treatment.
Choose Cashless Treatment: If you have the option of cashless treatment, choose it. This will prevent you from paying the cost of treatment directly to the insurance company.
Update Policy Regularly: As you grow older and your disease condition changes, keep updating your insurance policy.
Facing Difficulty in Getting Insurance? What to Do?
If you are facing problems in getting insurance, keep these things in mind:
Gather Evidence: If you have any medical reports or prescriptions for pre-existing diseases, keep them together. These will be attached to your insurance application.
Take Help of Insurance Agent: Contact a good insurance agent. They can help you choose the right policy.
Contact Other Insurance Companies: If an insurance company refuses to give you insurance, then you can contact other insurance companies.
Take Advantage of Government Schemes: The government has many health insurance schemes, which also cover people with pre-existing diseases. Get information about these schemes.
How to Reduce Health Insurance Costs
Friends, it is important to take health insurance, but its cost can also be heavy on the pocket. Especially if you have pre-existing diseases, the premium becomes even higher. But don't worry, with the help of some tips you can reduce the cost of health insurance.
Tips to Reduce Insurance Costs:
Take Insurance Early: The sooner you take insurance, the less premium you will have to pay. Because with age the risk of disease also increases, which also increases the premium.
Adopt a Healthy Lifestyle: Adopting a healthy lifestyle reduces the risk of disease. This can also reduce your insurance premium. Exercise regularly, eat a balanced diet, and stay away from stress.
Compare Insurance Plans: Compare plans of different insurance companies and choose the most affordable and suitable plan for you. You can take the help of online insurance aggregators.
Choose Cashless Treatment: With cashless treatment, you will not have to pay the insurance company directly for the cost of treatment. This will reduce your out-of-pocket expenses.
Keep Waiting Period in Mind: Many insurance plans have a waiting period. During this time you will not get cover for disease-related treatment. Therefore, choose a plan that has a short waiting period.
Update Your Policy: As you grow older and your disease condition changes, keep updating your insurance policy. This will keep your policy in line with your changing health needs.
Take Advantage of Government Schemes: The government has many health insurance schemes, which provide good coverage at affordable premiums. Get information about these schemes and take advantage of them.
File Health Insurance Claims Easily
Friends, when you take health insurance, its purpose is to keep you financially secure at the time of illness. But when you get sick and have to get treatment, the biggest concern is to file an insurance claim.
Follow These Steps to File a Health Insurance Claim:
File Claim Immediately After Treatment: File a claim with the insurance company immediately after treatment. Delay may take time in the claim process.
Gather Necessary Documents: Gather all the documents asked by the insurance company. These may include treatment bills, doctor's prescriptions, medical reports, etc.
Fill the Claim Form Correctly: Fill the claim form correctly. Providing incorrect information can delay the claim process.
Attach Necessary Documents with Claim Form: Attach all the necessary documents with the claim form. Make sure the copy of the documents is clear and readable.
Contact the Insurance Company: After filing the claim, get in touch with the insurance company and get information about the status of the claim.
Follow Up: If the claim process is getting delayed, follow up with the insurance company. You can contact the customer care number of the insurance company or write them an email.
What to Do If Your Claim is Rejected:
If your insurance claim is rejected, you do not need to worry. You can understand the reasons for the rejection by the insurance company and object to them. You can also use the insurance company's appeals process.
Frequently Asked Questions About Health Insurance
Friends, till now we have learned a lot about health insurance. But you may still have some questions in your mind. In this chapter, we will answer those questions.
Question 1: Does any insurance company offer insurance with pre-existing diseases?
Answer: Yes, many insurance companies offer insurance plans for people with pre-existing diseases. You can opt for portability, portability with mortgage or a separate insurance plan.
Question 2: Does it take a lot of time to file an insurance claim? (Does it take a long time to file a health insurance claim?)
Answer: No, if you file a claim with all the required documents and fill the claim form correctly, the claim process does not take much time.
Question 3: Can insurance companies ever reject a claim?
Answer: Yes, insurance companies can sometimes reject a claim if you have provided incorrect information or have not provided the required documents. But if your claim is correct, the insurance company has to accept it.
Question 4: Does the premium of health insurance keep increasing every year?
Answer: Yes, the premium of health insurance keeps increasing every year. It depends on many factors, such as your age, disease condition, and insurance company policies.
Question 5: Is it necessary to have health insurance?
Answer: Yes, it is very important to have health insurance. It keeps you financially secure during illness. Health insurance becomes even more important especially if you have pre-existing illnesses.
