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.

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Create ABHA Card
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Account) Online

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What is the Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) card?

The Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) card is a digital healthcare initiative undertaken by the National Health Authority (NHA). It contains a unique 14-digit number through which you can thread your health record across multiple systems. Offering unified identification, the ABHA card allows you to store and share your medical history.

Key features of ABHA card

ABHA health card features include:

Unique identity

The ABHA card helps you establish your unique identity across healthcare providers within the healthcare ecosystem.

Hassle-free access

You can seamlessly sign up to create an ABHA card to store your health records. It eliminates the need to carry physical documents.

Healthcare Benefits

You can link all your healthcare benefits, ranging from insurance schemes to public health programmes, to your unique ABHA ID.

Benefits of ABHA health card

ABHA card benefits include:

1

Personal health record

You can link your personal health records to your ABHA ID. It stays as a long-term health history that can help in your next course of treatment.

2

Digital access to doctors

You can access a wide range of doctors digitally through your ABHA health card. Once connected, you can discuss your medical issues in a safe and trusted environment.

3

Easy opt out

You can request to erase your information at any time. If you feel you no longer want to store or share your health records, you can opt out.

Who should create an ABHA account?

If you want to store and access your healthcare records digitally anytime, anywhere, you can create an ABHA number and an account.

How to create an ABHA ID?

To create ABHA ID:

Visit the official website of ABHA
Click on ‘Create ABHA Number’
Choose between creating the number with Aadhaar Card or Driving Licence
Enter your Aadhaar card number or Driving Licence number
Follow the instructions as given to create your ABHA ID

Documents required for ABHA registration

You can do ABHA card registration either through your Aadhaar Card or Driving Licence. Also, ensure your current mobile number is registered with these documents to receive OTP while creating ABHA ID.

How to download your ABHA card?

You can download your ABHA card once you complete ABHA health card registration. You can also download it by:

Visiting the official ABHA portal
Logging in with your 14-digit ABHA ID
Clicking on ‘View Health Card’

How to download the ABHA health card in DigiLocker?

For ABHA card download online in DigiLocker:

Visit the DigiLocker website and login with your credentials
Search for ‘National Health ID Card’
Click ‘National Health ID Card - Ayushman Bharat’
Enter your ABHA number and click on ‘Continue’
Verify the details and input the OTP received on your registered mobile number to download your ABHA card

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FAQs on ABHA Health Card

Is ABHA card compulsory?

No, it isn’t compulsory. You can voluntarily opt for it if you want to embrace the digital revolution and want to link your personal health records.

Does ABHA card provide health insurance?

No. The ABHA health card doesn’t provide any health insurance. However, you can add your existing health insurance details to it for easy access.

Can I get free treatment with an ABHA health card?

Your ABHA health card doesn’t give you free treatment as it is not an insurance scheme. However, it can give you access to health care services under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana.

Can I use an ABHA card in private hospitals?

You can use your ABHA card in private hospitals empanelled under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana.

How much does the ABHA health card cost?

Your ABHA health card costs nothing. You can create ABHA card online for free by visiting the ABHA website through your Aadhaar card or driving licence.

Is ABHA linked to Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY)?

Your ABHA health card costs nothing. You can create ABHA card online for free by visiting the ABHA website with your Aadhaar card or driving licence.

What is the difference between health insurance and Ayushman card?

While health insurance helps you meet medical expenses, the Ayushman card provides a unified interface for storing and sharing your medical history.

Who is eligible to create an ABHA card?

All Indian residents, regardless of their age and gender, are eligible to create an ABHA card.

Can I use my ABHA card to locate healthcare facilities nearby?

Yes, you can use your ABHA card to find out about empanelled healthcare facilities under Ayushman Bharat Yojana nearby.

Will my health records be automatically updated in my ABHA account?

If you are treated by a healthcare provider who is part of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, your health records will be automatically updated.

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Create ABHA Card
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Account) Online

What is the Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) card?