Living in a big city like Kolkata brings many opportunities, but also exposes you to health risks and rising medical expenses. From pollution and stress to unexpected illnesses, the challenges are real. That’s why having a reliable health insurance plan is essential. A proper health insurance plan gives peace of mind, access to better hospitals and helps save money during medical emergencies. Whether you are young, old, single or have a family, having health insurance in Kolkata is a wise and necessary investment.
Why do you need health insurance in Kolkata?
Having health insurance Kolkata is important for many reasons:
- High medical costs: Treatment in private hospitals can be expensive. Health insurance helps cover these costs.
- Rising health issues: Lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, heart problems and high blood pressure are becoming common.
- Emergency support: Accidents or sudden illnesses can happen anytime. Insurance offers quick support in emergencies.
- Cashless treatment: Most plans offer cashless hospitalisation at network hospitals.
- Better access to healthcare: You can get treatment in good hospitals without worrying about money.
Benefits of health insurance in Kolkata
Some common benefits include:
- Hospitalisation cover: Pays for room rent, doctor’s fees, tests and medicines during hospital stay.
- Pre and post hospitalisation: Covers medical expenses before and after hospitalisation for a certain number of days.
- Day care procedures: Covers small surgeries or treatments that do not need a full day in the hospital.
- Cashless treatment: Allows treatment in network hospitals without having to pay anything.
- Health check-ups: Some plans offer free annual health check-ups.
- No claim bonus: If you don’t make any claim in a year, you may get extra cover next year.
- Maternity and newborn cover: Some plans include expenses for childbirth and care for the newborn.
- Tax benefits: You can save tax under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act.
Types of health coverage in Kolkata
There are various types of health insurance plans available in Kolkata to meet the needs of individuals, couples, families and senior citizens.
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Type of plan
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Who is it for
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What it covers
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Individual plan
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One person
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Medical expenses of only the insured person
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Family floater plan
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Whole family (spouse, kids, sometimes parents)
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Shared cover for all members under one sum insured
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Senior citizen plan
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Older people, usually above 60 years
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Special cover for age-related health issues
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Critical illness insurance
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Anyone who wants protection from major illnesses
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Covers specific diseases like cancer, stroke, etc.
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Top-up plan
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People with existing plans needing extra cover
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Additional cover after a certain limit is crossed
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How to buy/renew health insurance in Kolkata?
Buying or renewing health insurance in Kolkata is easy. With online options and insurance agents, the process has become smooth and fast.
Steps to buy health insurance:
- Know your needs: Think about the number of family members and health history.
- Compare plans: Use websites to compare different plans, benefits and coverage.
- Check network hospitals: See if your preferred hospitals are listed.
- Read policy terms: Understand inclusions, exclusions, waiting periods and the claim process.
- Choose the right insurer: Pick an insurance company with a good claim settlement ratio.
- Fill the proposal form: Provide correct details and disclose any past medical conditions.
- Medical tests (if needed): Some insurers may ask for tests depending on your age or health.
- Pay the premium: Make payment online or offline to activate the policy.
- Get the policy document: Keep the policy number and soft/hard copy safe.
Steps to renew health insurance:
- Visit the insurer’s website
- Go to "Renew Policy” section
- Provide your personal and policy details
- Review your policy and modify if needed
- Pay the amount to complete the process
How to make health insurance claim in Kolkata?
You can claim health insurance in two main ways – a cashless claim or a reimbursement claim.
1. For cashless claim:
- Check network hospitals: Visit a hospital that is tied up with your insurer.
- Show health card: Present your insurance card at the hospital’s help desk.
- Fill pre-authorisation form: The hospital sends this to the insurer for approval.
- Approval process: Insurer checks the form and gives approval (if eligible).
- Treatment begins: Hospitalisation and treatment take place.
- No need to pay: The insurer settles the bill directly with the hospital.
2. For reimbursement claim:
- Visit any hospital: You can choose a hospital not on the insurer’s network.
- Pay the bill: You must pay the cost of treatment first.
- Collect documents: Keep all bills, reports, discharge summaries and prescriptions.
- Submit claim form: Send all documents to your insurer with a filled claim form.
- Claim review: The insurer checks the documents.
- Get reimbursed: Money is transferred to your bank account if approved.
Conclusion
health insurance in Kolkata is not just a financial product but a protection plan for your future. With rising medical expenses and unexpected health issues, it is wise to invest in the right plan. Make sure you choose a health insurance policy that offers good benefits, an easy claim process and trusted customer service.
FAQs
1. What is the waiting period in health insurance?
A waiting period is the time you must wait before certain benefits start. It may apply to pre-existing diseases or specific treatments. Usually, it ranges from 1-4 years, depending on the plan.
2. Can I buy health insurance for my parents in Kolkata?
Yes, you can buy senior citizen health insurance plans or family floater plans that include parents. These plans cover age-related illnesses and come with special benefits.
3. What happens if I miss renewing my policy?
If you miss the renewal date, you may lose the continuity benefits. Most insurers give a grace period of a few days. After that, you’ll need to buy a new policy and waiting periods may apply again.
4. Is health insurance cashless at all hospitals in Kolkata?
No, only network hospitals offer cashless services. You should check the insurer’s list of network hospitals before choosing a plan.
5. Can I increase my cover after buying a policy?
Yes, some insurers allow increasing the sum insured at renewal time or through top-up plans. Approval may depend on your health condition.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It may contain outdated data and information regarding the Insurance industry and products. It is advised to verify the currency and relevance of the data and information before taking any major steps. ICICI Lombard is not liable for any inaccuracies or consequences resulting from the use of this outdated information.