Different Types of Health Insurance Policies in India – A Detailed Guide to Indemnity and Fixed Benefit Health Insurance Plans

What is Health Insurance?

In simple words, health insurance is financial protection provided to an individual/family/group to help them deal with uncertain medical emergencies. A sudden hospitalization need can end up burning a hole in your pocket. This is where purchasing health insurance is a wise decision. It would take care of all unexpected expenditure for treatment of critical illness or during hospitalization.

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Types of Health Insurance Policies in India

Firstly, we can divide health plans into two categories – indemnity health plans and fixed benefit plans. Each category is then subdivided into different types. Let’s understand.

Indemnity Health Insurance Plans

Indemnity health plans are those types of health insurance policies which pay the actual amount of expenses incurred on medical emergencies. The maximum limit of claim is the sum insured.

Fixed Benefit Health Insurance Plans

These plans pay a fixed amount of claim irrespective of the actual expenses incurred. The fixed claim payable is mentioned beforehand and is paid if the claim is incurred.

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What are the Subtypes of Indemnity and Fixed Benefit Health Insurance Plans?

Here are the sub-types of both types of health insurance policies:

Types of Indemnity Health Plans

• Individual Health Insurance Plans – This policy covers a single individual on a single sum insured basis.
• Family Floater Health Insurance Plans – The whole family can be covered under a family floater health plan. A single policy is issued with a single sum insured. The family members share the sum insured on a floater basis where each member can utilize any amount up to the sum insured. Family includes self, spouse, dependent children and dependent parents. Some plans also offer coverage for extended family members too.
• Senior Citizen Health Insurance Plans – These health plans are specifically designed for covering senior citizens who are aged 60 years and above. The plan has a low waiting period and limited sum insured option.
• Top-up Health Plans – Top-up plans are designed to supplement your health insurance coverage at minimal premium rates. There is a deductible limit under the plan. If the claim is more than the deductible limit, it is paid.
• Super top-up plans – These plans are also like top-up health plans where there is a deductible limit. However, the deductible is applied on the aggregate claims made in one policy year and not on each claim.
• Disease Specific health plans – Under these plans, specific ailments are covered. The plan covers hospitalization and medical expenses which are incurred on the specified illness covered by the plan. Common disease specific plans include plans designed for diabetics, heart patients and dengue.

Types of Fixed Benefit Health Plans

• Critical illness plans – These are the most popular fixed benefit health insurance plans. Critical illness health insurance plans cover a list of specified critical illnesses. If the insured is diagnosed with any one of the covered illnesses, the plan pays the sum insured in lump sum irrespective of actual medical costs incurred.
• Hospital daily cash plans – These plans provide an additional coverage benefit in case of hospitalization which is for a minimum of 24 hours. Under hospital daily cash plans, a fixed benefit is paid in the event of hospitalization. This benefit is fixed at the time of buying the plan.

Besides the above-mentioned types of health plans, group health plans are also available. These plans cover the members of an identified group. The most common example is the employer sponsored group health insurance plan taken on the life of employees.

Various Types of Health Insurance and Who is It Ideal For?

Let us now take a quick look at whom these various health insurance plans are most suitable for:

Choose the suitable types of health insurance policies for your needs when you are buying health insurance.

Choose wisely!