Important Changes in Health Insurance Regulations

The growth and future of health insurance sector are dependent on its regulations that keep changing. The Regulatory and Development Authority of India introduces these changes at certain intervals of time. After 2013, IRDAI has brought some important changes very recently in 2016 that are mentioned below:

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      1. Combi Plans

      IRDAI had introduced a new guideline for combi plans in the year 2009, which allowed life and non-life policyholders to enter and follow the agreement as mentioned in the policy wordings. Currently, IndiaFirst Life Insurance and Star Health insurance are merged to offer Star First Combi Plans in the Indian market. This plan is a perfect mix of a term plan and health policy. It has become easier for a customer to manage two policies and enjoy the dual benefit under a single insurance plan. From now onwards, customers can easily find such combi plans that combine the features of life and health insurance plans.

       

      2. Cumulative Bonus across Benefit Plans

      As of now, a feature like the cumulative bonus is not listed in the benefits offered by insurance policies, such as a critical illness insurance policy. Moving ahead, it will definitely be offered and clearly stated in the policy wording. After a certain period of time, the cumulative bonus leads to an increased sum assured and covers heavy medical expenses in the future. As the sum assured is increased, the policyholder will have to pay a little extra premium to the insurer, which is very insignificant. The cumulative bonus will be reduced, in case a claim is made in any particular year. The sum assured is increased by a certain percentage at the end of each claim-free year. This percentage increases minimum 10% and maximum up to 50 %.

      Health Insurance Regulations

      3. Wellness Benefits

      Health insurance policy plays an important role in protecting the insured against the medical expenses incurred due to a medical emergency. To avail the benefits of a health insurance policy, the insured has to pay a fixed amount of premium to the insurer. The premium may vary, as it depends on certain factors like sum assured as per the policy, age and healthy habits of the policyholder. The IRDAI guidelines emphasise on continued renewals and an early entry. It aims at providing healthy lifestyle, which includes preventive and wellness habits. These benefits will help the insured to improve their health.

      You may also like to Read: 9 Hidden Benefits in Health Insurance Policies

      4. Launch Pilot Products

      This new change may lead in the insurance sector. IRDAI has asked insurers to come up with insurance products that can survey the market. It has also mentioned that policy tenure should be 1 year. Initially, it should be offered only by general or health insurers for just five years. According to IRDA of India, an insurer should allow policyholders to cancel or port their existing policies to a regular policy. This policy should aim at covering the risks that have not been covered under any policy till now. Insurers can flexibly withdraw/continue the policy even after 5 consecutive years.

      5. Flexible Standard Declarations Format

      According to IRDAI, insurers are free to design the proposal form according to their requirements. They can include a separate set of standard declarations. However, the regulation restricts the insurers from sharing customer’s data with any third party. An insurer can exclude or include the coverage that can help customers to draw out more benefits from a health insurance policy.

      6. Life Insurers are Restricted to Provide Indemnity Products

      One of the most important changes stated by IRDAI is that life insurers are restricted to offer Indemnity insurance products across the market. Indemnity insurance plans are health insurance policies (for example, a mediclaim), which cover the total hospital expenses incurred during a medical emergency. For an existing health insurance policy by life insurers, the policy shall continue until the policy term expires. Policyholders will be provided with all the benefits mentioned in the policy wordings. As a life insurance firm, they reserve the adequate amount of funds to meet the expected claims liability of their policyholders. It ensures that changing rules should not affect the policyholders in any manner.

      At Last, Read Some Important Tips to Buy A Health Insurance Plan:

      • While buying a health insurance policy, one should understand that individual health insurance plans are not enough while it is essential for one to protect their entire family.
      • The family can buy a family floater health plan, which protects children up to the age of 25 years.
      • If one is turning 40, buying a critical illness cover should be considered.
      • Make sure to check the amount of coverage after every 3 years and take care of the health by following a healthy lifestyle.
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      Disclaimer: The list mentioned is according to the alphabetical order of the insurance companies. Policybazaar does not endorse, rate or recommend any particular insurer or insurance product offered by any insurer. For complete list of insurers in India refer to the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India website www.irdai.gov.in

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      *Product information is authentic and solely based on the information received from the Insurer. Policybazaar is acting only as a facilitator and claims settlement shall be at the sole discretion of the Insurer. Policybazaar does not provide any medical or surgical advice or diagnosis and is not responsible for your interactions / treatment by a medical practitioner/hospital. Please consult a registered medical practitioner for any medical or surgical advice. The Information that you obtain or receive from Policybazaar, and its employees, or otherwise on the Website is for informational purposes only. As per the Insurance guidelines, you are allowed to cancel the policy with-in 30 days from the date of Issuance of policy.This option is available incase of policies with a term of one year or more.

      *All the health insurance plans cover hospitalization expenses including COVID-19 treatment cover up to the specified limits. You can also buy specific COVID-19 health insurance policies such as Corona Kavach Policy and Corona Rakshak policy.

      **All savings and online discounts are provided by insurers as per IRDAI approved insurance plans. #Tax Benefits are subject to changes in tax laws. GST Exemptions depend on fulfilment of qualification criteria and submission of relevant documents.

      *₹1748/month is the starting price for a 1 crore health insurance for an 18-year-old male, with no pre-existing diseases. Discount on renewal premium is subject to the number of wellness points earned in the health insurance policy. For more details about the plans, please read the sale brochure carefully to get upto 100% discount on renewal premium.

      *₹400/month is the starting price for ₹ 5 lakh Health insurance for a 30 year old male & 29 years old female, living in Delhi with no pre-existing diseases

      *₹541/month is the starting price for ₹ 10 lakh Health insurance for a 30 year old male & 29 years old female, living in Delhi with no pre-existing diseases

      *₹762/month is the starting price for ₹ 1 Crore Health insurance for a 30 year old male & 29 years old female, living in Delhi with no pre-existing diseases

      *₹243/month(₹ 8/day) is the starting price for a 5 lakh health insurance for a 20-year-old male, non-smoker, living in Bengaluru with no pre-existing diseases

      *₹2020/month is the starting price for ₹ 1 Cr Health insurance for a 50 year old male & 50 years old female, living in Bangalore with no pre-existing diseases rounded off to nearest 10.

      *₹390/month (₹13 per day) is starting price for 1 cr. Health insurance for 25 years old male, with pre-existing diseases, residing from tier 1 city rounded off to the nearest 10.

      *No medical tests are required unless requested by the insurer’s underwriter. In-case of pre-existing diseases relevant medical proof would be required as per the terms and condition of the policy opted.

      *The values taken for effective cost calculation are indicative values and may change as per the selected plan.

      *Coverage upto double the amount of Sum Insured is available on certain covers for a minimum plan of Rs. 5 Lakh on the first claim only to an individual of upto 45 years of age with no pre-existing diseases. The benefit is available with or without extra cost depending on the plan chosen.

      *Coverage of pre-existing diseases is provided by insurer as per their underwriting policy.

      *The scope of coverage may vary from plan to plan.

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