Should I buy health insurance for my parents?

Keeping in mind the skyrocketing costs of availing healthcare facilities and constantly rising medical inflation in India, it makes sense to invest in a good health insurance plan for your parents. In the absence of the same, you may have to pay for the expenses out of your pocket in case of a medical emergency. This could result in the depletion of your entire savings.

Why is it better to opt for an early healthcare plan for my parents?

It is a known fact that health insurance premiums rise with the increase in the insured person’s age. Hence, it is better to opt for a healthcare plan for your parents at an early stage. It will keep the premiums in check. Also, many insurance providers put a cap on the maximum entry of the insured. Therefore, buy a health plan for your parents early on so that they are not denied for it later.

My parents have a pre-existing disease; Can I buy health insurance?

Yes. Many health insurance policies cover certain pre-existing diseases, albeit with a waiting period of two to four years. It means that these policies will cover the treatment of certain pre-existing diseases after the completion of the waiting period. Go for the policy with a minimum waiting period.

Is there any age limit while buying health insurance for parents?

It varies from one insurance company to another. Usually, every health insurance policy has certain age criterion. There can be a minimum and maximum entry age for the insured to avail the policy. Do check for these conditions with the insurer before buying a health policy for your parents.

Is there any medical test in health insurance for parents?

It depends upon the insurer. While some insurance companies may not require medical tests to issue a health insurance policy, some make it mandatory. Usually, if the prospect is above the age of 45, his/her pre-medical screening is necessary.

Can I cover my parents in my existing health insurance policy?

Yes. You can include your parents in your existing family floater plans. However, do check the maximum age criteria with the insurance provider before doing so. A wise option is to purchase a separate health insurance policy for your parents since including them in your family floater plan may shoot up its premium.

How Can I enhance my parents’ insurance coverage?

You can customise your parental insurance policy in multiple ways to enhance its coverage. For instance, you can opt for a higher sum insured at the time of policy renewal. Additionally, you can attach some add-on covers (available at additional premium) such as critical illness rider, personal accident cover etc. to your base policy to enhance its coverage.

Can I include my senior citizen parents in a family floater insurance plan?

Insurers generally do not allow the inclusion of senior citizens in a family floater plan. They tend to cover the members below the age of 60 only. What you can do is purchase individual health plans for your mother and father or buy a separate family floater plan for both of them.

IL TakeCare app – For all your insurance & wellness needs

Policy purchase, claims, renewal & more

Install

Call Back

Got questions? Let's talk! Share your contact details and we'll give you a call.

Full Name^* Please enter the full name

Mobile no.^* Please enter valid mobile number

Select products^* Please select the product

Submit

Thank You for your interest in our product.

Thank You for your interest in our product. We'll get in touch with you shortly to answer your queries.
Live Chat

Health insurance with OPD cover

Extensive coverage for you and your family

Covers pre- and post-hospitalisation expenses

Protects against high medical costs

0% GST on health insurance ^AO

What is OPD Cover in Health Insurance?

Not every health concern requires a hospital admission. Most of the time, you see a doctor, get a test done, collect your medicines, and head back home the same day. That is what Outpatient Department (OPD) care looks like in practice, and it makes up the bulk of what most people spend on healthcare in a given year.

OPD in health insurance covers these everyday medical needs, the ones that happen without any hospitalisation. Here is how it sits alongside your regular cover:

A standard health insurance policy covers hospitalisation and major medical treatments.
OPD cover takes care of doctor consultations, diagnostic tests, and medicines when no hospital stay is involved.
It is built specifically for frequent, smaller expenses that quietly pile up over time.

Think about your own routine for a moment. A seasonal illness here, a follow-up visit there, a diagnostic test before a consultation. None of these feels like a major expense individually. But by the end of the year, the total can be surprisingly significant. An OPD cover addresses exactly that pattern. It treats your healthcare as something that matters every single day, not just during emergencies.

Why is OPD Cover Important Today?

Healthcare habits are shifting. People are no longer waiting for things to go seriously wrong before they see a doctor. Regular check-ups, early consultations, and consistent follow-ups have become a normal part of how people approach their health. And that is a genuinely good shift.

But here is the gap. Most standard health insurance plans are built around hospitalisation, not the everyday care that most people actually use. Health insurance with OPD cover bridges that gap in these specific ways:

Rising Outpatient Expenses

The cost of medicines, diagnostic tests, and consultations has gone up significantly. These are not one-time costs. They repeat throughout the year, and without any cover, they come entirely out of your budget.

Lifestyle Diseases

Conditions like blood pressure, diabetes, and thyroid disorders are increasingly common. They do not require hospitalisation, but they do require regular check-ups, follow-up visits, and ongoing tests. An OPD cover makes managing these conditions far less financially taxing.

Growing Focus on Preventive Healthcare

More people today prefer to stay ahead of their health rather than react to it. Regular screenings and diagnostic tests are part of that approach. OPD cover supports this by including those expenses within your policy, so taking care of yourself does not come with a recurring financial stress.

Benefits of OPD Cover in Health Insurance

It is easy to overlook OPD cover in health insurance until you sit down and calculate what you actually spend on routine medical needs in a year. Once you do, the value becomes very clear.
Here is more about health insurance with OPD benefits:

Covers Frequent Medical Expenses

Doctor visits, basic tests, and follow-up consultations are a regular part of life for most people. With OPD cover, these recurring costs are covered, so you are not reaching into your own pocket every time a minor medical need comes up.

Reduces Out-of-Pocket Costs

Add up what you spend on diagnostics, medicines, and consultations over a year. The number is often larger. An OPD cover reduces that ongoing financial drain by providing consistent support for regular medical costs, not just the big ones.

What’s included and what’s not?

Inclusions
Exclusions

Health insurance plans with OPD coverage covers expenses for:

Physical consultations
Routine diagnostics and minor procedures
Pharmacy
Physiotherapy session
e-Counselling
Diet and nutrition e-Consultation

Read the policy wordings to know the complete list of inclusions.

Medical insurance with OPD cover doesn’t cover:

Dental treatment
Physiotherapy sessions and counselling availed for psychiatric ailments or mental health issues

Please go through the policy documents to know the exclusions in detail.

Documents required for buying OPD health insurance

As OPD cover is an add-on that you can opt for while buying health insurance. You don’t need to provide any document to buy this cover. However, you do need to provide basic details related to your identity and address to purchase health insurance.

Factors to consider while buying OPD health insurance plans

Keep in mind the following things while buying a health policy with OPD cover:

Coverage scope

Check whether your health insurance has the option to add an OPD cover. In other words, find out about its inclusions and exclusions to avoid surprises.

Claim procedure

Understand the claim procedure for the OPD cover. Like regular claims, it must be easy, quick and hassle-free.

Waiting period

Do figure out the waiting period before you can avail the benefits under this cover. The lower the waiting period, the better it is.

Who should buy OPD cover?

While anybody can buy an OPD cover, it’s more useful for those who regularly need OPD services. Depending on your health needs, if you feel the requirement for frequent OPD visits and procedures, you can buy this cover.

How to buy health insurance with OPD coverage?

To buy OPD cover in health insurance:

Visit the Health Insurance Page on our Website
Choose the health plan you wish to buy
Fill out the details, including your name, mobile number, email ID, number of people you want to cover, etc
You will get a quote basis the details filled
Choose the OPD cover add-on from the several add-ons available
Pay the premium and you are done

How to claim OPD health insurance?

To raise a claim:

1

Download the IL TakeCare App and link your policy
2

Answer questions to provide your claim details
3

Upload self-attested original claim documents in PDF or JPEG format
4

DoSubmit your claim for assessment, which will be processed as per the policy’s terms and conditions

Health Insurance Blog Articles

Most Common Surgeries for Elderly: Complete List & Risks

The article covers common surgeries performed in elderly patients, including cataract, knee replacement, cardiac, and spinal procedures. It explains recovery risks, post-surgery considerations, and the importance of senior citizen health insurance in managing hospitalisation, treatment, and follow-up care expenses.

26 May 2026

Diabetes in Women: All You Need to Know

The article explains common symptoms, causes, and risk factors linked to diabetes in women. It also covers lifestyle changes for blood sugar management and highlights the importance of health insurance in covering consultations, tests, medicines, and long-term treatment costs.

24 May 2026

Complete Guide on Fraudulent Health Insurance Claims

The article explains different types of fraudulent health insurance claims, including fake treatments, inflated bills, forged documents, and identity misuse. It also covers legal consequences under Indian law and highlights how accurate claim filing supports smoother claim processing and policy continuity.

22 May 2026

Can I buy OPD health insurance online?

Yes, you can buy an OPD cover online while buying health insurance. As this is an add-on cover, you can add it to your base policy during online purchase.

Who is eligible for OPD?

This cover can be opted by the insured person up to 65 years. That said, consult your insurer to find out your eligibility.

How does OPD cover work in health insurance?

Through OPD cover in health insurance, you get covered for expenses for which you don’t need hospitalisation.

Is OPD cover included in all health insurance plans?

The inclusion of OPD cover in a health plan is at the sole discretion of the insurance company. Though most health plans do offer this cover, there are plans where it may not be available. It’s wise to cross-check with your insurer provider before purchase.

Is there a waiting period for OPD coverage in health insurance?

It is advisable to go through the policy wording to see if there’s any applicable waiting period before you can avail yourself of OPD benefits.

Can I get OPD cover for pre-existing conditions?

Check with your insurer if you can get OPD cover for pre-existing conditions. Note that such conditions have a waiting period which could be of 1 or 2 years, depending on the policy’s terms.

Does OPD cover include alternative treatments like Ayurveda and Homeopathy?

Yes, OPD cover does cover alternate treatments like Ayurveda and homeopathy. However, to be safe, read the policy wordings and consult with your insurer if needed.

What is the difference between OPD cover and hospitalisation cover?

OPD covers expenses for procedures that don’t require hospitalisation. On the other hand, hospitalisation cover helps you meet costs incurred when you are hospitalised for some days.

Are medicines and diagnostic tests covered under OPD insurance?

Yes, OPD cover does cover medicines and diagnostics tests. Read the policy documents to know the details.

Can I add OPD cover to my existing health insurance policy?

You can add OPD cover to your existing health insurance plan during policy renewal. That said, check with your insurer to see if there’s any provision to add it to while there’s still some time before renewal.