Protect Yourself with Health Insurance During Monsoon

Every year, as the monsoon begins, you risk catching flu, cold, or infections from waterborne viruses such as malaria, cholera, typhoid, or dengue. Additionally, water-logging and slippery roads raise the likelihood of accidents and injuries.Having suitable Health Insurance can help ease any financial strain because of these potential risks. If you handle the health and upkeep of your family, buying a Comprehensive Health policy that covers such diseases is best. You can also consider a standalone plan for yourself and your family. Also read: What is a Health Insurance Policy?

Malaria:

Transmitted by infected mosquitoes, malaria is prevalent during the monsoon because of the abundance of breeding sites for mosquitoes in stagnant water.

Dengue:

Another mosquito-borne disease, dengue cases surge during the monsoon season when Aedes mosquitoes breed in water-filled containers.

Chikungunya:

Like dengue, Aedes mosquitoes also transmit chikungunya and see an upswing during monsoon.

Typhoid:

Caused by Salmonella typhi, typhoid is because of contaminated food and water, which can be more common during the monsoon.

Diarrheal diseases:

Monsoon brings increased chances of water contamination, leading to waterborne diseases like gastroenteritis and other diarrheal illnesses.

Leptospirosis:

This bacterial infection spreads through contact with contaminated water and is more common in flood-prone areas during the monsoon.

Hepatitis A:

Another waterborne disease, hepatitis A, spreads through contaminated food and water and sees an increase during the monsoon.

Respiratory infections:

The increased humidity and dampness during the monsoon can lead to respiratory infections such as the common cold, flu, and viral fevers.

Cholera:

Although less common, cholera outbreaks can still occur during the monsoon due to water contamination. Also read: A guide to buying Health Insurance Plan

A suitable Health Insurance plan for monsoon diseases can ensure your insurance company covers specific medical expenses. Here are some of the advantages of a Comprehensive Health Insurance plan:

Coverage:

A Comprehensive Health Insurance policy offers broader coverage. Depending on your chosen plan and insurance company, a general plan encompasses pre- and post-hospitalisation expenses, road ambulance services, day care procedures, AYUSH treatments, organ donor expenses, and even domiciliary hospitalisation.

Outpatient (OPD) treatment:

Health Insurance policy for monsoon typically covers OPD expenses, including doctor’s consultation charges.

Pre-existing disease coverage:

Comprehensive health insurance covers pre-existing diseases , subject to a waiting period. Typically, coverage for such conditions begins after two to four years.

Riders or add-on covers:

A Comprehensive plan often provides additional riders or add-on covers to enhance policy coverage. These options, such as critical illness cover, maternity cover, hospital daily cash, and personal accident cover, allow you to customise your plans.

Cashless treatment:

Similar to regular health plans, your Comprehensive Health policy can allow you to utilise cashless medical treatment by visiting network hospitals, where your insurance company settles the bills directly with your hospital.

Cumulative bonus:

Comprehensive Health Insurance policies provide a cumulative bonus benefit. This feature rewards you with an increased sum insured at a certain percentage if you have made no claims in the previous policy year at no additional cost.

Checklist for exclusions in your Comprehensive Health Insurance

Assess the terms of different policies and choose one that provides comprehensive coverage for potential health issues during the monsoon season.

Policy exclusions:

Thoroughly review the policy exclusions to understand any specific limitations or conditions related to monsoon-related health issues so you are aware of what is not covered.

Network hospitals in flood-prone areas:

Check if your insurance company has tie-ups with network hospitals in flood-prone areas. It can help during emergencies when access to medical facilities is difficult.

• A Comprehensive Health Policy aims to offer you coverage for medical expenditure incurred for hospitalisation or OPD treatments for most vector-borne diseases. You can customise a disease-specific plan to include add-ons or a range of benefits.
• You must check if your health insurance policy specifically covers waterborne and mosquito-borne diseases such as cholera, typhoid, dengue, malaria, etc., which are more prevalent during the monsoons.
• Ensure that your policy includes coverage for accidents and injuries, considering the increased risk of slips, falls, and road accidents due to slippery or water-logged roads.
• Review the policy exclusions to understand any specific limitations or conditions related to monsoon-related health issues so you know what is not covered.