When it comes to buying insurance, there are numerous things that needs to be considered before choosing health plans offered by numerous health players.
However, to make things easy, there are a set of dos and don’ts that one can keep in mind at the time of buying a health plan, be it for self or for family members.
The check-list given below may not be an exhaustive one but it surely points out the important things you need to keep in mind before buying a health care plan.
Dos of buying a health care plan:
Market Research – Do a thorough market research in order to get hold of the best health insurance plan. With a wide range of plans available in the market, it tends to become difficult to select the suitable health plan that will fulfill the individual requirements. However, a thorough market research always proves to be of greater help.
Look for Coverage Options – Remember that there are restrictions on what is being covered and what is not being covered. Make sure you are aware of the inclusions as well as the exclusions before-hand.
Read Policy Terms and Conditions – Always read the terms and conditions mentioned in the policy thoroughly. This reduces the chances of any misunderstandings that may come up in future.
Check for Enlisted Specialists – Look for the list of specialists who are enlisted with the insurance provider. Also, you should find out if visiting an alternate medical specialist is covered or not.
Compare Plans – Always compare different health insurance plans so as to get hold of the best possible option.
Disclosure of Pre-existing Conditions – Always disclose the details of the pre-existing diseases, if any. This includes things like high blood pressure as well as diabetes.
Submitting Necessary Documents – It is required that you submit all the necessary documents, medical reports etc. that the insurance company asks for depending upon your age at the time of buying the policy.
Required Medical Tests – In case there are any medical tests which need to be carried out, check as to where and how they will be carried out. Also, you should check with the agent who will bear the cost of these medical tests.
Seek Feedback – Always seek advice and feedback from family and friends who have purchased a health insurance plan. Ask them about their experiences with their health insurance provider. And, also ask them about their satisfaction or dissatisfaction level with the plan they had bought.
Wait for Proposal Acceptance from the Insurer – To make the payment of your premium wait until after your proposal is accepted by the insurer.
Timely Renewal – Timely renew your policy and enjoy life-long health care coverage.
Look for Coverage Options – Remember that there are restrictions on what is being covered and what is not being covered. Make sure you are aware of the inclusions as well as the exclusions before-hand.
Read Policy Terms and Conditions – Always read the terms and conditions mentioned in the policy thoroughly. This reduces the chances of any misunderstandings that may come up in future.
Check for Enlisted Specialists – Look for the list of specialists who are enlisted with the insurance provider. Also, you should find out if visiting an alternate medical specialist is covered or not.
Compare Plans – Always compare different health insurance plans so as to get hold of the best possible option.
Disclosure of Pre-existing Conditions – Always disclose the details of the pre-existing diseases, if any. This includes things like high blood pressure as well as diabetes.
Submitting Necessary Documents – It is required that you submit all the necessary documents, medical reports etc. that the insurance company asks for depending upon your age at the time of buying the policy.
Required Medical Tests – In case there are any medical tests which need to be carried out, check as to where and how they will be carried out. Also, you should check with the agent who will bear the cost of these medical tests.
Seek Feedback – Always seek advice and feedback from family and friends who have purchased a health insurance plan. Ask them about their experiences with their health insurance provider. And, also ask them about their satisfaction or dissatisfaction level with the plan they had bought.
Wait for Proposal Acceptance from the Insurer – To make the payment of your premium wait until after your proposal is accepted by the insurer.
Timely Renewal – Timely renew your policy and enjoy life-long health care coverage.
Don’ts of buying a health care plan:
If you don’t understand, don’t buy – Never buy a plan whose point you are unable to comprehend clearly.
Do not hide anything related to your health – Never ever hide anything related to your health or the things that play an important part in getting a health policy issued. Else you might end up creating a dispute in the future when you will set out to make a claim.
Don’t delay policy renewal – Do not delay your policy renewal or your policy coverage might no longer be of any use.
Don’t hesitate meeting Insurance Professionals – Do not consider meeting Insurance Professionals as a waste of time. These meetings will only help you in getting a clear picture about the different health insurance plans and proposals.
Do not hide anything related to your health – Never ever hide anything related to your health or the things that play an important part in getting a health policy issued. Else you might end up creating a dispute in the future when you will set out to make a claim.
Don’t delay policy renewal – Do not delay your policy renewal or your policy coverage might no longer be of any use.
Don’t hesitate meeting Insurance Professionals – Do not consider meeting Insurance Professionals as a waste of time. These meetings will only help you in getting a clear picture about the different health insurance plans and proposals.
Regards
Amit Mathur
Associate Financial Planner
