Health Insurance Plans for Women

Sedentary lifestyle leads to stress related disorders and lifestyle diseases among women. They become more vulnerable to health issues especially after the age of 40. It has been noted that women have a greater chance to fall a prey to critical ailments such as arthritis, irregular BP, diabetes, Auto-immune diseases, Osteoporosis and so forth. Women are even more susceptible to bone-related disorders and breast cancer.

Moreover, the dreads of pregnancy related disorders come solely in women’s share. Modern living puts a lot of stress on the health of women leaving them vulnerable to cardiovascular diseases, lifestyle disorders and even minor ailments which can become chronic illnesses.

Considering these facts, it seems only obvious that women need health insurance as much as men do and more or less for the same reason - to assure a financial back up in case a medical contingency arise. Why should they be any different and even more so when they constitute a major fraction of the working force.

The insurers have finally started getting serious about catering to the health insurance needs of women in India. The market now offers women-specific health insurance plans designed specifically for their medical  needs. Some insurers offer in-built pregnancy related cover, though it’s not very extensive. These plans are specially designed with an intention to cover illnesses that a woman is more prone to get during her lifetime.

Health Insurance Plans for Women

Some insurance providers offer women specific health insurance plans and we have listed some of them here along with their scope of coverage:

1. Bajaj Allianz Women-Specific Critical Illness Insurance Plan:

This health insurance plan provides financial protection against 8 critical illnesses to which women are more vulnerable:

• Cancer Cover- It works in a simple manner by assuring a guaranteed sum to the insured in case the insured gets diagnosed with one of the listed critical illnesses - breast cancer, vaginal cancer, cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, fallopian tube cancer, uterine/endometrial cancer, paralysis and burns.
• Congenital Disability Cover- The insured is also entitled to get 50% of sum insured in case of a congenital disability
• Loss of Job Cover- Plus, there’s a special sum to be paid out to working women who lost their job 3 months after being diagnosed with a critical illness.

Till now, women used to be covered under floater plans or as a dependent in the husband’s health insurance plan. But now as more and more women are getting into the working force, they are being covered under employer group health insurance plan as well as individual health plans. While purchasing a policy, one should look out for a comprehensive coverage that includes women related diseases along with maternity benefits.

2. TATA AIG Wellsurance Woman Health Insurance Plan:

TATA AIG Wellsurance comes with a substantial cover on:

• 11 critical illnesses including cancer are covered
• Cashless hospitalization is provided in network hospitals across India
• Daily hospital cash benefit is also included
• Convalescence benefits are also offered to the insured
• Post hospitalization treatments can also be claimed
• Cosmetic reconstruction surgery benefit for accidental injuries is also paid for
• Income tax benefit under sec 80D can be availed on the premium paid Plus, it also features value added benefits such as free health helpline, discounts at health and wellness Centres and health check-ups.

3. Care Joy Maternity Health Insurance Plan

Care Joy is a good option to get hospitalization and maternity expenses covered along with the new born baby

• This health insurance plan is available in two variants i.e. Joy Today & Joy Tomorrow
• The sum insured in the Joy Today plan ranges from Rs 3 Lakh to Rs 5Lakh. It covers maternity expenses after a small waiting period of 9 months. In joy today, the maternity expenses are covered after 24 months of waiting period
• Joy Tomorrow offer extensive coverage as it includes new born baby birth defects as well
• The age criteria to buy this policy is from Day 1 and up to 45 years
• Some of the benefits under this policy are Inpatient hospitalization cover including room rent, ICU charges, boarding and nursing expenses), pre & post hospitalization cover,  pre-natal and postal natal expenses
• It also pays for normal and caesarean delivery, post-delivery care and vaccination charges

4. Reliance Health Gain Policy

Reliance Health Gain is a health insurance policy that is available on both Individual and Family Floater basis. The insured can get cashless treatment in network hospitals and the insurer takes care of the treatment cost for the illnesses that are covered. Moreover

• The policy is designed to provide 5% discount on premium to single women or girl child
• The insured can file claim for organ donor expenses and get up to 50% of sum insured or up to a maximum of Rs 5 Lakh
• Domiciliary hospitalization expenses are also covered by the insurer
• The coverage amount is restored upon exhaustion
• Policy can be purchased on easy installments
• Eligibility criteria - 91 days up to 65 years

5. HDFC Ergo my: health Women Suraksha Plan

It is a comprehensive health plan that covers almost every illness that women can encounter in her life. There are different plan options and their coverage and benefits and given below:

1. HDFC Women Cancer Plus Plan

• This health insurance policy covers cancer treatment and other illnesses for women.
• Sum insured options in  these plans ranges from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1 crore
• Breast Cancer, Cervix cancer, Fallopian Tubes, Uterus, Vulva, Ovary, and other major cancers
• In case of an early stage breast cancer or cervix uteri cancer, 25% of the sum insured or a maximum of Rs 10 lakh is provided to the insured to start the treatment
• Major Illnesses / Auto immune diseases are covered such as Rheumatoid Arthritis and Systemic Lupus Erythematous with Lupus Nephritis and
• Unique covers like loss of job due to the illness and reduced premium benefits are provided

2. Women Critical Illness Essential Plan

It covers major illnesses, cancer, surgeries, and heart-diseases. There is a 90-day waiting period applicable to major illnesses and procedures. 180 days waiting period is applicable to minor illnesses and procedures.  The insured can file pregnancy and new-born related claims after completion of one-year.   In case of maternity complications 

3. Women Critical Illness Comprehensive Plan

HDFC Ergo has designed this health insurance plan to offer protection to women against cancer. The policy offers. 100% sum insured is provided for cancer treatment. The policy also covers First Heart Attack, Open Chest CABG, Insertion of Pacemaker, Angioplasty, and many more. 

4. Women Cardiac Plan

This plan covers cardiac ailments and related medical procedures. 

5. Women Assault and Burns

HDFC Ergo also covers bodily injuries arising from burns and assault

6. New India Asha Kiran Health Plan

This health insurance policy is designed for parents with only one girl child. Individuals between the age group of 18 years and 65 years can buy this policy:

• People above the age of 65 years can continue their insurance provided they are insured under the Policy with us without any break
• The upper age limit is not applicable to a dependent unmarried daughter or a mentally challenged daughter
• 10% additional sum insured is provided in case the insured is diagnosed with a critical illness during the policy term

Conclusion!

For the loving husbands, your wife takes care of the smallest things in your life. It’s time you start showing a little care too. The same goes for the loving sons and daughters for whom mom is the world. And for all the ladies out there, whether you are working or stay-at-home moms; single or married; you all ought to put your health first. Needless to say, the obligations only widen for single moms and divorcees. A wisely chosen health plan can go a long way to take care of your well-being in all phases of your life. Wait no more, get and compare quotes and pick up the best health insurance plan for women today!