Essentially, meditation is an act through which a person can perform contemplation. It is a process of training the mind. It helps induce a state of consciousness.

Did You Know?

Ancient Hindu texts liken the mind to a wild, untamed horse. Only meditation was believed to train and bring the mind under control.

Ancient yogis practised meditation to control the mind, decrease its pull towards the illusory world and contemplate on the Divine.

Meditation has been given much importance even in other religions, like Buddhism, Christianity, Jainism, Islam and Judaism.

Our modern world is waking up to the benefits of mediation, with more and more institutions offering courses on the methods of practising it.

Mind over Matter!

Meditation involves calming the mind, increasing consciousness and staying in a state of heightened awareness. Modern research shows that meditation yields tangible health benefits and is excellent for reducing stress and anxiety.

Our brain really is the seat of power. The entity we all know as "will" is a creation of the brain and there are reports (read medical miracles) wherein deadly diseases or disorders have simply vanished due to the "power of the will".

The health benefits of meditation might thus be correlated to the strengthening of this "will power". Studies have indicated the following:

Increased Brain Power: When you are a habitual meditator, positive structural changes occur in your brain. You will have heightened awareness of the surroundings, yet your mind would be calm and peaceful, without agitation.

Lesser Sleep Requirement: When you reach the stage of an experienced meditator, you will require substantially less sleep, without decrease in cognitive or vigilance abilities.

Complete Wellbeing: Regular meditation brings about a complex biochemical and physical change in your body. This is called the "relaxation response." This eases out aches, pains, and stress.

Meeting Rising Healthcare Costs

Increasing costs in the healthcare sector over the last few years are pinching the Indian pockets. According to a report by the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), India's per capita out-of-pocket (OOP) expenditure towards medical costs has gone up by 60% from 2005 to 2010. The per capita spending on medicines and hospitalization costs has also increased twofold over the same period.

In such a scenario, a comprehensive health insurance plan helps curb your expenses by covering costs due to hospitalization, diagnostic tests, doctor consul.tation, expensive medicines, as well as post-hospitalization treatment.

Availing Cashless Hospitalization

Most insurance companies provide a facility of cashless hospitalization where you can avail treatment at a network hospital (that has a tie-up with your insurer) without paying cash to the hospital. Your insurance company will settle the costs directly with the hospital; however, prior authorization is required from the concerned Third Party Administrator.

This service is helpful when you are unable to organize short-term funds or if you fall ill in a city where you can't arrange for immediate funds. Cashless hospitalization reduces stress and gives you access to the best healthcare services easily.

So, is dieting (and other painful procedures, which we'd rather not name) the only way to fit into those trousers marked 'S' or maybe 'M'? Of course not. Shedding those extra kilos needn't be a harrowing experience. Small but sustained changes to your lifestyle can do the trick. But no, they cannot help you lose weight overnight. Here are five amazingly simple tips that can be your stepping stone for a healthier and fitter life.

Tip 1: Never Skip Breakfast

"Breakfast like a King," said our ancestors. This adage holds a lot of scientific and gastronomic truth if you are keen on maintaining the perfect weight. A full, healthy breakfast gives you enough energy to start your day with vigor and vitality and prevents you from getting mid-hour hunger pangs. Eat whole grains, cereals and fruits to supply your body with enough nutrients to carry on till lunch.

Tip 2: Add. Don't Subtract!

 "I like food. I like eating. And I don't want to deprive myself of good food."
- Sarah Michelle Gellar

Add a variety of new, healthy food options, rather than removing foods from your list. Limiting the portions of carbohydrates and refined stuff and adding fruits, green veggies and high-fiber foods does the trick. Don't kill your cravings. But don't binge. A small portion of your favorite snack is not going to derail your weight-loss plans.

Tip 3: Don't confuse between thirst and hunger

"The only way to keep your health is to eat what you don't want, drink what you don't like, and do what you'd rather not."
- Mark Twain

Your body needs around 1.2 liters of water a day. More, on a hot day. Most of the times when our body is thirsty, we confuse it with mid-hour hunger and give ourselves a reason to snack, when all we require is a glass or two of water. Water also gives our stomachs a sense of fullness and prevents you from stuffing food that is not wanted.

Tip 4: Sniff an apple and stare at blue

This is not a joke. Seriously. It's all in the mind. Research has shown that when people sniff on foods like a banana or an apple or even peppermint, the mind is tricked into believing that you are actually eating the food. Also, the color blue acts as a hunger suppressant. So why not try keeping an apple and a blue scarf or handkerchief in your purse or bag?

Tip 5: Walk

"I've been on a diet for two weeks and all I've lost is fourteen days."
- Totie Fields

This may sound elementary but it is the best way to get some physical exercise. A 45-minute walk can give you sufficient amount of exercise to help you burn a lot of calories. This could help you shed up to around 15 kilos of body weight in a year. And that too without any fancy diets or mindless food controls.

Motivation to lose weight is pretty important when you embark on this journey. But losing weight need not be a battle. It could be an "everyday thing." An active, conscious lifestyle is all that is needed to enjoy life to the fullest.
Also, don't forget to buy a health insurance policy to safeguard your future & finances.

Did you know that at least 7 lives can be saved from the donations of a single organ donor?

Understand the significance and make a difference

Organ donation, the practice of removing healthy organs and tissues from a donor and transplanting them to a person in need, can help save numerous lives.

Most organ donations are performed after a person’s death; however, some organs and tissues such as kidneys and a part of the liver can be donated while the donor is still alive.

Who Can Donate Organs?

Every adult can become an organ donor. Even children can become organ donors with consent from their parents. Patients with certain diseases such as cancer, HIV, and some types of infections cannot donate their organs.

What Can You Donate? Different Types of Organ Donations

A living person can donate blood, bone marrow, one kidney, and portions of their liver, lung or pancreas. When the living donor is a family member of the patient receiving the transplant, it is called a live related donation. If it is a friend, relative or neighbour it is known as a live unrelated donation. Donors can donate corneas, skin upto 100 years; kidneys, liver upto 70 years; heart, lungs upto 50 years, and heart valves upto 40 years.

After the donor’s death, it is known as deceased cadaver organ donation in which the recipient-to-be is put on an organ donation list until an appropriate organ from a deceased donor is made available. Almost all organs and tissues can be used from deceased donors – eyes, heart valves, skin and bones to kidneys, livers, lungs, arteries, veins and nerves. However, these need to be removed at the earliest on confirmation of patient being brain dead, while artificial circulation is being maintained.

Breaking the cost barrier in organ donation

Organ donation is the transplant of a biological tissue or organ from one individual, called the donor, to another, the recipient, who is in need of a transplant. The common organs that can be donated include heart, kidneys, liver, intestine, lungs, pancreas, cornea, skin and bone marrow. Donated organs come from living or deceased donors.
In India, nearly 5,00,000 people die every year due to unavailability of donors. Thousands suffer from heart or liver diseases or await a kidney or cornea transplant. While the number of organ donations has increased significantly, there is still a considerable mile to cover to narrow the gap between donors and individuals in need, which could be aided by various health insurance plans.

Challenges in organ donation
Some of the common challenges that need to be addressed to increase organ donation are:

1) Availability of matching donor
Compatibility between donor and recipient is an important aspect in organ donation. Matching blood and antigen type of donor and recipient is essential to prevent rejection by the recipient's body. Therefore, determining compatibility is the first step in the process of donation. Failure to get the right donor has resulted in delayed or no transplant in several cases.

2) Society's perception
The deep influence of religion and culture in all spheres of society create restrictions on organ donation. The concept of giving a part of one's body or that of a loved one is yet to gain wide acceptance.

3) Cost
Organ donations are highly expensive and can cost anywhere between 1 lakh and 20 lakh plus, based on the organ involved. This acts a barrier for individuals to opt for transplant.

How insurance helps
It is a little known fact that organ donation is covered under most health insurance covers, offering financial relief to those who have to undergo one. Most general insurance companies offering health insurance cover transplant surgeries under the regular policy. The medical expenses incurred by the donor are also reimbursed up to a certain amount.

What is covered
It is essential to understand the finer details of the scope of coverage to make the best use of your health insurance cover. Since organ donation involves two parties, the donor and the recipient, the financial aspect needs to be considered from the perspective of both parties.,
An insured recipient gets cover for all the transplant-related expenses, from pre-hospitalization to post-surgery treatment and hospital visits. The treatment expenses are completely paid for, up to the sum insured. This is a boon, especially since treatment and medication might be required even after the surgery until the recipient's body has accepted the foreign part.
For an insured donor, expenses for storage of organ and surgery for removal of organ are covered under the health insurance policy. However, unlike an insured recipient, there are certain restrictions on the amount of cover for donors, and this differs based on the insurance provider.

Exclusions
The donor's health insurance policy does not cover the hospitalization expenses of the donor for the transplant. In addition, expenses for donor screening, post-surgical complications, medication or treatment post-surgery are excluded under the cover. In such cases, these expenses might have to be borne by the recipient.
It is important to know the sub-limits or admissible expenses covered for the insured recipient to be able to meet these additional costs. To ensure clarity in the finances, it is advisable to read your policy thoroughly and understand the terms and conditions. Obtaining a detailed cost break-up from the hospital or healthcare center beforehand will also help to identify the components that are included in the insurance policy.

Vector-borne diseases pose a serious threat to humanity. Every year, more than a billion people are infected and more than a million people die from them. More than half the world's population is at a risk of vector-borne diseases carried predominantly by mosquitoes, flies and other vectors.

The poorest population with lack of access to adequate housing, safe drinking water and sanitation is the worst affected, including those with malnourishment and weak immunity. Several national and state governments are collaborating with the World Health Organisation (WHO) to eradicate them.

Some of the prominent methods adopted worldwide for the eradication of vector-borne diseases are:

Integrated Vector Management (IVM)

IVM is a rational decision-making process targeted at the optimal use of resources for controlling vectors and vector-borne diseases. Its goal is to improve the efficiency, cost-effectiveness and sustainability of the disease control mechanism.
The IVM framework involves 5 key elements, advocacy for public health, collaboration within the health sector, integration of different vector eradication methods, evidence-based decision making and development of adequate human resources.

Genetically engineered mosquitoes

Brazilian scientists are working in collaboration with a British insect control company to develop millions of factory-bred mosquitoes and release them into the wilderness. A plant is set in a town near Sao Paulo, which can produce 60 million mosquitoes in a week.
The offspring of these mosquitoes and the disease-causing females will have a shorter lifespan. Interestingly, these mosquitoes themselves will have a short lifespan and will die soon after mating.

Habitat and environment control

Removing or reducing vector breeding grounds will limit their growth. Removing stagnant waters, old cans, tires, etc., which serve as a breeding ground for mosquitoes and flies will reduce diseases in vector prone areas.
Open defecation also promotes the growth of vector-borne diseases. Preventing open defecation and timely maintenance of pit latrines will curb the growth of flies and the diseases spread by them via their contact with faecal matter of infected people.
Under the Swacch Bharat Abhiyan, several cities have been declared Open-Defaecation Free (ODF). This landmark development towards cleanliness has led to the establishment of toilets all over the country, along with ensuring proper hygiene routines across schools and communities.

The Dos

1. Use the insurance company's online hospital locator to identify the general and specialty hospitals closest to you.

2. Keep your health insurance ID card handy in the unfortunate event of an emergency.

3. Know that procedures for cashless network hospitals and reimbursement claim network hospitals are different.

4. In case of cashless facility in an emergency, ask the hospital to fill up the Cashless Request Form and submit it to the insurance help desk at the hospital. For a planned treatment, it is advisable to follow the above procedure 3-4 days in advance so that you can walk in for treatment with a confirmation letter. The insurance company or the Third Party Administrator (TPA) will authorize the coverage and settle the bill directly with the hospital.

5. Be aware that reimbursement claims happen in two cases: when the treatment is done at a hospital outside the preferred network and when the treatment is done at a network hospital but is not covered in the policy.

6. Always keep liquid money ready in case the claim falls in the reimbursement category, in which case all bills will need to be paid first.

7. Carry all necessary original documents from the hospital to be submitted to the insurance company for reimbursement claims. Always keep a photocopy as a backup.

8. Treatment bills obtained 30 days prior and 60 days after hospitalization are generally applicable for reimbursement, so keep them safely.

9. A co-payment means the claim amount will be divided between you and your insurance company by a certain percentage. It is wise to check for this option beforehand.

The Don'ts

1. If possible, avoid unprepared visits. Call the insurer first to discuss your cover including any waiting periods, exclusions, minimum benefits, excess and copayments.

2. Do not opt for rooms or facilities that have upper limits and various sub-limits to avoid out-of-pocket expenses.

3. Do not assume that the health insurance cover is for lifetime or does not have a maximum renewable age.

4. Educate yourself about limits on specific treatments insurers may have.

Whether it's a planned visit to a hospital or an unfortunate one, it is imperative that we familiarize ourselves with the procedures of claim insurance so we can focus all our attention on our loved ones. Thankfully, health insurance exists to ease the stress of financial burdens during such trying times. Stay safe and healthy!

Coronavirus — that started from China — has spread thick and fast across countries, has the world cornered. So far, 6000 [1] have lost their lives due to the disease, and the number of infected cases is only growing. Now declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO), COVID-19 has sent individuals, governments and markets into a tizzy.

With the virus forcing lock-downs in several nations, Italy, for instance, health authorities and governments across the globe are leaving no stone unturned to curb its spread. Considering the severity of the situation, it will require a concerted effort by the global community to tackle and contain further transmission of the coronavirus.

Here are its symptoms, variants and treatment; that can help you tackle it effectively. Let’s get started:

Coronavirus variants

Coronavirus gets its name from the presence of crown-like projections on its surface. In Latin, the word Corona means ‘halo’ or ‘crown’. There are four different subgroupings of coronavirus – alpha, beta, delta and gamma.

The common human coronaviruses are:

• HCoV-229E
• HCoV-NL63
• HCoV-OC43
• HCoV-HKU1
• MERS-CoV
• SARS-CoV
• SARS-CoV2

229E, NL63, OC43, and HKU1 are the most common coronaviruses affecting people. Coronaviruses such as SARS and MERS, which infect animals, can also make people sick. The cause of the present pandemic is COVID-19.

Coronavirus symptoms

The symptoms of coronavirus are like that of cold and flu. The symptoms set in after 2-4 days of infection, and are generally mild. The symptoms include:

• Cough
• Fever
• Runny nose
• Headache
• Shortness of breath

Also, note that the coronavirus symptoms may vary from people to people and in severe cases, it may lead to an illness, which can prove fatal.

Coronavirus treatment

Precaution is better than cure

There’s no specific vaccine or treatment for coronavirus. However, you can take the precautionary measures mentioned below to ensure your safety:

• Wash your hands regularly with soap or sanitiser and avoid touching your mouth and eyes.
• Don’t rub contaminated hands on mouth and eyes as this increases the chances of transmission of the virus.
• You must use tissue or handkerchief while sneezing and maintain a distance of at least a meter from individuals sneezing and coughing.
• Avoid large gatherings as it increases the chances of getting infected.
• Avoid travelling to areas that are battling the threat of coronavirus.

It’s in your interest to follow the advisory issued by the local health authorities and the Government to stay safe.

If any of your friends and relatives have recently come back from an international trip, it’s best to restrict personal visits. In case you are experiencing the symptoms mentioned above, it’s essential to seek medical attention at the earliest. At the same time, if you are travelling to the workplace or otherwise, make sure to use masks.

Also, if anyone you know has contacted coronavirus, avoid all visits with the person unless he/she has completely recovered. It’s important to note that post coronavirus outbreak, a lot of rumours are doing the rounds, particularly regarding its treatment. However, you must not give in to them and follow advice strictly issued by the Government and the health authorities.

Here, the body from where the organ is removed is called "donor" and the body into which it is transplanted is called the "recipient" The donor can be a recently deceased person or a living person.

Organ Transplants As We Know It

Although transplants have been attempted since ages, and many historical accounts are available to corroborate them, the first successful major organ transplant was attempted between identical twins in 1954. The first successful major organ transplantation (lung) between two unrelated persons was attempted in 1963. The patient survived for 18 days, but died due to kidney failure.

Types of Organ Transplants

Transplants, also called "grafts," are primarily of two types - Autografts and Allografts. While Autografts do not require different donors, Allografts do.

Other types include Xenografts (animal donors) and Isografts (transplant from genetically similar and identical twin).

Challenges Faced in Transplantation

The biggest problem, apart from the fact that it is very difficult to get an organ for transplantation, is its rejection by the donor's body. This rejection reaction is triggered by our immune system that protects our body from various infections. It recognises the transplanted organ as foreign and thus a danger to the body and hence, destroys it. The very system that protects our body from “foreign” substances is simply doing its job.

Thus, it is vital to match the donor and the recipient. The higher the degree of tissue similarity between the two, the better is the chance of the transplant’s survival in the recipient's body. In any case, immunosuppressive drugs have to be used by the recipient to ensure long-term survival of the transplanted organ. Also, one needs to check with their health insurance provider regarding the coverage for organ transplant.

Frequently asked questions about Super Top-up plans

Vani Sharma Was Chatting with Her Colleague, Who Has Been a Great Support to Her These Recent Weeks. the State of Her Father's Health Was Causing a Great Deal of Emotional and Financial Stress to Her. Her Colleague Ameya Was Bouncing Off Ideas for Financing Treatments When the Topic of Super Health Insurance Plans Came Up

This is how the conversation goes:

Vani: What is a top up plan?

Ameya: A top-up plan is a deductible plan which enhances your base health policy. For instance, let's say your father has a base policy of ₹ 5 lakh and you purchase a top up plan of ₹ 10 lakh with ₹ 5 lakhs as the deductible. In case your father’s medical expenses from the first treatment is billed as ₹ 7 lakh, ₹ 5 lakhs will be taken from your base health insurance and the remaining will be from your top-up plan.

But, in order to receive the top-up plan coverage, you will need to surpass the deductible limit. If your expenses from first hospitalisation is only ₹ 3 lakhs, top-up plan won't come into effect.

Also, top up plans treat every hospitalisation as singular in a year. So, taking the same example I mentioned above, if your father is hospitalised for the second time and the expenses are ₹ 4 lakh, you will won't get any coverage as the top-up considers each hospitalisation as new and your deductible is reset. This is where Super top-up plans are value differentiators.

A health top-up plan provides the financial backup you needed after your base plan is exhausted. For example, if your incur medical expenses of ₹7 lakhs, and your base plan covers only ₹4 lakhs, the remaining ₹3 lakhs will be covered by your top-up plan.

When opting for enhanced health coverage, consider if you want to opt for a top-up or a super top-up plan. Post carrying a cost-benefit analysis of both types of plans, you also need to consider the following factors before opting for a supplementary top-up.

In our present fast-paced life, most of us do not have time for ourselves. Physical and psychological stress overwhelms us and we hardly have any control over these. For this self deprecation, yoga comes to our rescue. While yoga has been around for a long time, it has gathered momentum only over the last few years.

Considered to be almost a health movement, yoga helps achieve a better state of physical, psychological and spiritual health. The main appeal of yoga lies in its ability to bring forth the unity of the mind with the body. In a world where we are detached not only from others but also from ourselves, yoga serves to be a way to connect with both while at the same time allowing us to reap benefits of physical and mental well-being.

The Popularity of Yoga

According to the Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) survey, there has been a 30-40% increase in demand to learn yoga in India. The survey further reveals that 15% individuals in the age group of 30-70 years are adopting yoga in south India, as compared to other parts of the country.

In a situation of constant overdrive in modern life, yoga becomes like an anchor which you can hold on to. Here are some of the many ways how yoga helps improve your life:

Rejuvenates your Senses

Stimulation of certain brain glands that help reduce stress can be achieved through the practice of yoga. A study conducted in US had found that about 62.8 % of people in the 18-44 age group practice yoga and have reaped positive benefits for the same.

The body’s natural balance is maintained with yoga postures including stretching, breathing and twists. Healing the body through yoga goes hand in hand in with cleansing your mind.

Every once in a while you’ll come across an article or piece of publication that will jolt you into action. Or so a writer wishes. If only wishes were like….well you know it! But what if the end result is not just desired but also needed? Like knowing and discovering types of health insurance products you didn’t think you’d need. It’s also a fast track method of discovering innovations in the insurance industry. But before we take a look at the products themselves, let us first glance at the reasons old ways of the industry are being disrupted. By way of product innovation, insurers are now trying to come up with solutions and set up data pipelines that take care of the following:

• Engage consumers

Like all good relationships, the one between an insurer and the consumer can no longer just be a transactional one. The onus on insurers to engage with customers has never been greater. Whether it be timely reminders for renewals, updating them on product benefits and coverages, telling them about other products that they may need or just ensuring that they have access to important information regarding health specialists and hospitals – the byword is communicate!

• Simplify processes

Traditional insurance players are notorious for their lengthy and complicated processes reminiscent of ‘babudom’. That’s no longer the case. Customers want simplified, digitized processes like a touchless claim technology, right from the point of purchase to claim, at their fingertips.

• Expand coverage

It’s not enough to offer products that just cover traditional risks. Consumers are now looking for need-based solutions that are relevant to their lifestyles.

The consultancy firm Deloitte, in its report, Four Defining Insurance Industry Trends 2020, states “The insurance industry stands at the precipice of profound change. And this disruption is not just digital. Demanding customers, new competitors and a changing set of challenges are transforming the insurance industry.”

There are several types of insurance products that you may miss out on if you’re not an industry watcher or specifically looking for it.

Cyber Insurance

The product has been around for a while but the insurance industry is now taking a more customer first approach. Initially the focus of the coverage in a cyber-policy used to be on recovering financial losses and backing legal routes. It has now broadened to encapsulate occurrences such as cyber bullying and threats too. Recognizing that incidences such as cyber bullying and cyber extortion have mental ramifications on the victim the scope of cover, in some cyber products, now also includes consultations with psychologists and cost of relocation in case of serious threats.

Why it’s needed

We are increasingly becoming more reliant on digital. Right from our financial transactions to social interactions; our personal information is resting on devices, servers and databases. This leaves us vulnerable to hackers, extortionists and others with criminal intent. Having a policy that covers all these incidents, goes a long way in ensuring that someone’s got your back in cyber space.

Telematics Insurance

Blanket premiums may be a thing of the past. A smart insurance solution now being offered to car owners is telematics based insurance. A more personalized form of insurance, the premium for a telematics based policy depends on how many kilometers you drive, how you drive and various other parameters as specified by the insurer. Here’s how it works – a telematics device is attached to your vehicle, (think of it as a black box but for your car) which records certain statistics like what speed you drive at, how you take corners, etc. The insurer then reviews the data received and states the premium accordingly.

Why it’s needed

No two people drive the same so it helps to have a product that determines price based on consumer behavior. Aside from personalized premium, the consumer also receives regular updates regarding the health of the car. In case the vehicle is stolen, it can be tracked using the telematics device. For those drivers that abide by the law of the land and rule of the road this type of insurance spells *ka-ching*!

Income Insurance

When we mention insurance what’s the first thing you think of- health? Life? Most people only associate insurance with health or life policies. But we live in uncertain times and so we must be ready with firm measures to counter that uncertainty. Protecting your income with an insurance policy is sort of a safety net – should the ground be swept beneath your feet, there’s something to break the fall. Most income targeted insurance products will cover eventualities such as termination due to external economic factors, disability due to an accident etc.

Why it’s needed

Think of it as upping your financial planning to A-game status. If you’ve got responsibilities and bills to pay, insuring your income helps in alleviating some of the stress that economic turbulence brings.

COVID-19 Insurance

The pandemic has been challenging for one and all. For the insurance industry, it came as a challenge to its agility; for insurers to swiftly come up with a product that would answer their customer’s requirements. On the home front, we went full-steam ahead to ensure that our customers knew that complete health insurance. We set up certain measures to ensure that our customers would also have access to information such as covid-19 testing facilities and hospitals. We also set up processes to expedite COVID-19 claims. In record time, we came up with group COVID-19 cover

Why it’s needed

And by this we mean a health policy that offers wide coverage and prioritizes customer engagement (remember our point about ‘engaging customers’ at the beginning)
ICICI Lombard also provides health insurance plans like Family Health Insurance, Health Booster, Personal Accident Insurance, Arogya Sanjeevani Policy, Corona Kavach Policy which offers people with the much needed financial backup during any medical emergencies

Summing up

As a recent publication pointed out, “the insurance industry has a critical role in helping the world navigate a range of powerful forces and megatrends from globalization and demographic shifts to climate change and cybercrime.”

What is Cashless Mediclaim?

With the entire world going cashless in the form of debit cards, credit cards and cash cards, should not your insurance be cashless too? Cashless mediclaim insurance enables insured patients to avail hospitalization at select hospitals and get treated without settling the hospital bill. The expenses incurred during hospitalization are directly paid by the health insurance company to the hospital.

Benefits of Cashless Health Insurance

• No cash expenses
  Cashless mediclaim policy is unlike reimbursement claims where you pay the hospital, only to file for reimbursement of expenses later on. Here, the insured does not pay at all and hence does not have to arrange for short-term funds (from friends or relatives) to meet hospital expenses on an urgent basis.

• No hassles Hospitalization
  Cashless mediclaim enables the patient and relatives to have peace of mind so that they can focus on the treatment.

• Less administrative formalities
  Queries in the billing or any unjustified costs are directly taken up by the insurance company with the hospital. Thus, the patient stays out of unnecessary administrative formalities.

Arranging for the payment of treatment bills or hospitalisation charges are sure to dent the family finances and cause panic. To ease all these stressful situations, it is wise to buy a personal cover to tackle such unforeseen events.

When selecting a personal cover, care must be taken to ensure that the policy offers coverage for different types of accidents and their subsequent injuries. A careful search of different health insurance plans offers you numerous options to select from and buy the plan that perfectly suits your needs.

The personal protect plan offered by ICICI Lombard may offers sufficient coverage for different type of accidents. Compensation is offered to the insured individual in case of road, rail accidents, accidents due to natural calamities and arising out of terrorism or terrorist acts. The policy can be easily be purchased for any person who is between 18-80 years of age.

For the issuance of this policy, you may not need to undergo any medical check-up. Also the online mode of purchase further hastens the purchase of this policy and within a few clicks, you can ensure yourself against a variety of unforeseen events. Payment for this policy can also be fulfilled in easy installments which further enhances the convenience offered by this personal health insurance policy.

The sum insured of this policy may be easily customised and you can choose a minimum of Rs 3 Lakhs to a maximum of Rs 25 Lakhs sum insured as depends upon the plan opted. Coverage of this health insurance policy includes accidental death due to an accident within the policy period. The death of the insured individual makes the nominee (mentioned in the policy) eligible to receive compensation with the sum insured. This is sure to help the family of the deceased cope with the untimely loss and avert financial crises.

Over the last quarter of a century, the contribution of metabolic risk factors such as high blood pressure, sugar, cholesterol, and other related factors have doubled, according to recent research by the Public Health Foundation of India.

While the average lifespan of Indians maybe on the rise, our growing susceptibility to lifestyle diseases, especially amongst the youth is alarming. Simultaneously, the cost of healthcare has risen at a double-digit rate over the last decade – both in urban and rural India – according to the national survey on health conducted by the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO).

These factors highlight the significance of health insurance for prudent financial planning.

What Are The Health Factors That Affect Financial Planning?

There are a number of factors that heavily affect your pocket, regarding health. These should be considered before investing in a health insurance policy:

• Critical Illness
  Health-related emergencies often require immediate treatment that takes a heavy toll on your pocket. In addition, recovery in case of critical illness may come at a significant financial cost that could impact you and your dear ones.

• Long-term Care
  Diminished physical or mental abilities demand substantial assistance in terms of monetary investments. One must consider the care required and expenses incurred in case of a severe unexpected accident at any age.

• Permanent Disability
  In case of a partial or complete disability, the patient may have to face numerous expenses with the additional risk of income reduction.

Health insurance is all set to be more buyer-friendly in the coming days

An effective risk mitigating tool that prevents out-of-pocket expenses during a medical emergency, health insurance is a modern-day need. A growing segment, the standalone health insurance market in India is expected to grow at a CAGR of 30% in the next five years and will be worth Rs. 21,904 crore by 2022.

In what could further make health insurance more customer-friendly, transparent and boost the growth of the sector, a working panel constituted by insurance regulator IRDAI has proposed several changes. Read on to know the effects of these changes on your health insurance policy.

Clearer Definition of Pre-Existing Diseases

A major bone of contention in a health insurance policy is the interpretation of pre-existing diseases. The working panel has suggested a simpler and clearer definition of pre-existing diseases to weed out any anomaly over its interpretation and subsequent disputes.

According to the suggested definition, any disease, injury, condition or ailment diagnosed prior to buying the first policy for which medical treatment or advise was recommended or received from a doctor qualifies as a pre-existing disease.

With a simpler definition, as a policyholder, you would know about the conditions or ailments that qualify as a pre-existing disease which you need to disclose while filling up the proposal form to avoid rejection. The working panel has also asked insurers to take a lenient view in case a pre-existing disease is discovered later.

Insurers have been recommended by the working panel to put a waiting period on such diseases, instead of cancelling the policy. The option, however, will be available only during the moratorium period.

Lowering Waiting Period of Lifestyle Diseases

Lifestyle diseases have evolved as one of the biggest killers in India. As per studies conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and other institutes, estimated proportion of all deaths from lifestyle styles has gone up from 37.09% in 1990 to 61.8% in 2016. The high-treatment cost of lifestyle diseases can derail a family’s finances.

On most occasions, the waiting period of lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and cardiac problems range from one to four years. Waiting period refers to the time/duration during which you can’t make a claim from your Mediclaim insurance.

However, the working panel has suggested lowering the waiting period of lifestyle diseases up to 30 days (maximum), unless they are pre-existing.

Standardisation of Pre-Existing Diseases

The working panel has also proposed a standard list of 17 pre-existing diseases which could be excluded from a Mediclaim policy. The list includes diseases such as epilepsy, cerebral stroke, chronic heart and kidney diseases, HIV, AIDS, Parkinson’s, hepatitis B, loss of hearing and other physical disabilities.

It has also said that policyholders can’t be denied coverage for AIDS, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and morbid obesity if diagnosed after the purchase of a policy.

This means if you contact the above-mentioned diseases after buying a health insurance policy, you will be entitled to receive coverage for them. To put it simply, the working panel has suggested all health conditions acquired after policy issuance to be covered. Experts believe that this standardisation will help in the smooth settlement of claims.

Easy Coverage for Individuals with Severe Health Conditions

People with severe health conditions such as epilepsy and physical disabilities find it difficult to avail a health insurance policy. Also, insurers are wary about extending cover to cancer survivors. They are usually denied coverage for procedures and diseases that may be completely unrelated.

If the proposals of the panel are accepted, it’ll become easy for such individuals to avail health insurance. However, no coverage will be provided for specific pre-existing diseases. Nevertheless, if you are suffering from a severe health condition and are denied a Mediclaim insurance, the road ahead might be a little easy for you.

Claims Can’t be Questioned After Eight Years of Continuous Renewals

Another proposal mooted by the panel is that insurers can’t question claims on basis of non-disclosure after eight years of continuous renewals, except in cases of frauds. It means if you’ve renewed your policy for straight years since its inception, the insurer can’t raise objections on your claims on grounds of concealing information.

This will ease your worries and concerns regarding claim rejection if you have paid all the premiums on time. However, it’s essential to note that the co-pay, sub-limit and all the other applicable clauses as mentioned in the policy document will remain in force.

Coverage for Advanced Treatment Procedures

The panel has also proposed setting up of a Health Assessment Technology Committee that will recommend inclusion of advanced and modern treatment procedures for which you will be offered coverage. Insurers will have to provide coverage for procedures listed by the committee.

The above proposals are set to be reviewed and expected to be implemented in the next year. If accepted and applied, these will help you make the most out of your health insurance policy.

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Healthy lifestyle changes for a healthy liver

According to a World Health Organisation (WHO) report 2014, 2,16,865 or 2.44% of the total deaths in India were associated with liver diseases. Health experts and media sources say that India could become the world capital of liver diseases by 2025, owing to the rising sedentary lifestyle, obesity, smoking and alcohol intake.

The common diseases affecting the liver include fatty liver, alcoholic and non-alcoholic cirrhosis. Recently, non-alcoholic liver diseases have been on the rise and are considered a silent killer. If left untreated, the inflammation and damage can result in liver cancer.

Approximately 90% patients don’t realise that they have liver disease until it is too late, say medical practitioners. Out of the two lakh plus patients dying from liver disease, at least 25,000 can be saved through liver transplants. However, only 2000 liver transplants are performed annually in India, as per 2014 reports from Fortis Hospital.

The positive side is that with certain precautions, liver disease is one of the few diseases that can be prevented or its possibility of occurrence reduced. With the startling numbers and the potential of one in every five Indians being susceptible to the disease, it is best to adopt the following five lifestyle changes:

Exercise

An obese body is home to various diseases, in addition to liver ailments. Obesity is also the most common cause of fatty liver disease. Introduce exercise in your daily routine, and incorporate healthy eating and sleeping habits into your lifestyle to evade fatty liver.

Abstain from Alcohol Consumption

Excessive consumption of alcohol leads to liver cirrhosis, which can be fatal. Say no to a bottle of alcohol today rather than be at the mercy of saline and blood bottles in future.

Why? All for a stimulant called caffeine that is known to drive away drowsiness and energize people.

Besides tea and coffee, a variety of other foods also contain caffeine, for example, some soft drinks, energy drinks, chocolates and a few processed foods. So, how does caffeine affect your mind and body? And, why do health experts discourage people from consuming too much of it? Read on to decipher the 'caffeine code.'

Spring in Your Step

Caffeine is a psychoactive drug that stimulates the central nervous system. It increases the focus of our grey cells, enhances concentration of the work at hand and keeps the mind alert. Consumption of caffeine has also been known to boost the energy level, making it is immensely popular with those who work around deadlines. With so many benefits, it's no wonder why people look forward to their daily dose of this.

Did You Know? Tea is the second most consumed beverage in the world after water.

Different People, Different Effects

The effects of caffeine aren't same for everyone. A moderately sized cup of coffee or tea can have a lasting effect on the drinker for approximately 4-5 hours. Though, the extent and length of time for which the body and mind experience a heightened sense of wellbeing depend upon the physique (including lifestyle and genetic factors) of the person who is consuming the drink. To cut a long story short, caffeine has varying effects on different people.

Finland's Love for Coffee Finland has the highest per capita consumption of coffee in the world, which annually works out to 12 kg per person. In contrast, India's coffee consumption is only 90 gm per person.

It is considered the first step to being afflicted with disorders like diabetes, some cancers, heart diseases, strokes, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis and gout, among others, which could potentially necessitate coverage under various health insurance plans. Scientifically, anybody whose bodyweight is 20% higher than normal is considered obese. In terms of BMI (Body Mass Index), anything over 30 is considered obese. The most common cause of obesity in the current generation is the sedentary lifestyle we lead. Poor dietary and lifestyle choices lead to obesity and eventually towards the plethora of related illnesses.

How Can You Avoid Obesity?

We are always advised to "eat less" to avoid being obese. But we need to understand that "what" to eat is more important than "how much" you eat. A balanced diet consumed in limited portions at regular intervals throughout the day is the key to an optimal weight.

So, what are the foods you should avoid? Are there any "Don'ts" to follow? Let's take a look at them.

Refined Sugars and HFCS: Let's face it. Our body does not need white sugar. Our body needs carbohydrates, yes, but not in the form of refined white sugar or High Fructose Corn Syrup or HCFS (found in processed sweet foods, like soft drinks, breakfast cereals and bars, pastries, etc).

Our body can take up carbs from the grains and cereals that we eat. Simple sugars will result in a spike in insulin levels and give your body empty calories, sans the nutrients. In the absence of equivalent physical activity to burn up these extra calories, the carbs will be converted into fats and stored in the body.