Diabetes Health Plan for Senior Citizens
An imbalanced lifestyle, such as a sedentary lifestyle, work pressure, stress, and unhealthy eating regimens can cause diabetes. This health condition comprises type 1 and type 2 diabetes and is common among senior citizens. Though type 2 is more harmful, correct and timely medical intervention are needed for both diabetes types. Thus, it is important to secure comprehensive health insurance for senior citizens with diabetes.
What does Diabetes Health Insurance for Senior Citizens Usually Cover?
If the sugar level of an individual with diabetes suddenly spikes up, it will cost them a fortune to get treated during emergencies. It’s practically not possible to manage such a large amount when an aged patient gets sick. Expenses can include hospitalisation charges, medication, diagnostic tests, doctor visits, the use of medical devices, emergency care, preventive care, chronic disease management, related health complications, rehabilitation services, etc. Thus, to alleviate such challenges, it is a wise move to choose health insurance for senior citizens with diabetes.
In-Patient Pre-Hospitalisation and Post-Hospitalisation
These charges are important components of comprehensive health insurance plans, especially for seniors with diabetes. These charges usually cover -
Pre-hospitalisation charges or expenses incurred before a patient is hospitalised include doctor consultation fees, diagnostic tests, medications, and medical investigations.
Post-hospitalisation charges comprise expenses incurred after the patient is discharged and include follow-up consultation fees, diagnostic tests, medications, rehabilitation services, and medical procedures for any additional medical procedures or treatments required as part of post-hospitalisation care.
Hence, in-patient pre-hospitalisation and post-hospitalisation coverage offer financial support during and after a hospital stay, ensuring better health outcomes and reducing out-of-pocket expenses.
Day-Care Treatment and Domiciliary Hospitalisation
Day-care treatment refers to medical procedures that do not require an overnight hospital stay. These treatments, such as dialysis, are usually completed within a few hours, allowing patients to return home the same day. Coverage includes surgical and medical procedures, doctor’s fees, medical consumables (medicines, dressings), and facility charges.
Domiciliary hospitalisation is a medical treatment administered at home when a patient is unable to be transferred to a hospital because of their medical condition. Specific criteria set by the insurance policy must be met to avail of this type of care. Coverage includes doctor visit fees, nursing care, medications, medical equipment, and diagnostic tests.
Ambulance and Automatic Recharge
Ambulance coverage refers to reimbursing expenses incurred for transporting a patient to and from the hospital in an emergency. This service enables patients to receive timely medical attention, which can be crucial. Coverage includes emergency transport, pre-hospital care provided by paramedics, and basic life support or advanced life support ambulance services.
Automatic recharge, also called “sum insured restoration”, is a health insurance policy feature that automatically restores the insured sum if it gets exhausted during the policy year. Such a “recharge” ensures continuous coverage without needing policy renewal. Its features usually include automatic restoration and multiple claims (multiple hospitalisations within the same policy year).
Dialysis and PED Cover
If a patient is undergoing dialysis, a specified amount for each sitting is covered under the health insurance policy that is payable for up to 24 months. Policies usually specify the number of dialysis sessions covered per month or year. Coverage typically includes in-clinic dialysis, home dialysis, consultation fees, medications, and routine lab tests.
Pre-existing diseases (PED) are medical conditions an individual has been diagnosed with or received treatment for before enrolling in a new health insurance policy. PED coverage usually includes a waiting period (1 to 4 years) during which PEDs are not covered, medical tests to identify pre-existing conditions, premium loading, or higher premiums for individuals with pre-existing conditions, and exclusions and limits for certain PED-related treatments or conditions.
Conclusion
It’s always advisable to compare and consider the pros and cons of various health insurance plans before purchasing one. Most importantly, one mustn’t underestimate the value of a health insurance policy, especially when handling finances. Given the unpredictable nature of life, every individual should ideally have insurance as a backup. It helps us to remain financially ready to tackle myriad challenges that life throws at us.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your general physician or another certified medical professional for any questions regarding a medical condition. Relying on any information provided in this blog is solely at your own risk, and ICICI Lombard is not responsible for any effects or consequences resulting from the use of the information shared.