Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has been in the news for months. Though its vaccine has been developed in India, including many other countries, staying prepared for any untoward circumstances is the need of demand. If you already have a health insurance policy, the point is whether your health care insurance will cover the novel coronavirus.
What is Coronavirus or COVID-19?
Covid-19 is a group of virus that attacks our immunity and causes diseases like the common cold and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome or SARS. It was late December 2019, when China witnessed a new strain of coronavirus, which is now known as the novel Coronavirus disease or COVID-19.
The common symptoms of COVID-19 are infection in the nose, sore throat, upper throat, fever, dry cough, sinuses, runny nose, and sometimes a headache. In severe cases, doctors have diagnosed the problem of respiratory illnesses such as pneumonia, kidney failure, and multiple organ failure.
Coronavirus Health Insurance Policy
Coronavirus health insurance Policy refers to a type of health care insurance that is designed to cover the medical expenses incurred on the treatment of COVID-19. A coronavirus health insurance policy provides coverage for the hospitalization expenses of the policyholder.
Comparatively, all health insurance plans provide coverage for hospitalization expenses incurred due to the treatment of viral infections. Because Covid-19 is a viral infection, comprehensive health insurance plans pay off expenses for pre-hospitalization and post-hospitalization as well as in-patient and out-patient expenses.
Major Benefits of Coronavirus Health Insurance Policy
| Coronavirus Treatment | The treatment of coronavirus is covered with zero additional cost |
| Home Treatment | Home treatment is covered in case of suggestion from a doctor |
| Consumable Expenses | Cover available for the expenses incurred in PPE kits, masks, ventilators, gloves |
| Co-payment | Most health policies do not have age-based co-pay |
| Cashless Treatment | Available at network hospitals |
| Add-on Covers | Available |
Common Inclusions under Health Insurance for Coronavirus
Common benefits offered by coronavirus health policies are:
- In-patient hospitalization expenses
- Pre-hospitalization expenses
- Critical illness hospitalization
- Accidental hospitalization
- Daycare procedures
- Road ambulance expenses
- ICU room rent
- Organ donor expenses
- Daily hospital cash
- Home hospitalization
- Post-hospitalization expenses
- Alternate treatment
- Recovery benefit
Types of Coronavirus Health Insurance Policy
Are you searching for health care insurance for coronavirus (COVID-19)? Consider choosing standard health insurance that covers all medical expenses incurred during the coronavirus treatment. Two standard policies launched by medical insurance companies under the IRDAI guidelines are Corona Kavach Policy and Corona Rakshak Policy. The term of these two coronavirus health insurance plans remains the same across all the medical insurance companies in India.
1. Corona Kavach Policy
Corona Kavach Policy is a type of standard COVID-19 health 0nsurance Policy. Coverage under the policy includes:
- Hospitalization expenses
- Ambulance charges
- Home care treatment cost
- Cost of PPE kits, medicines, gloves, masks
- Doctor fees, ICU charges, nursing charges
The sum insured under the Corona Kavach policy starts from Rs 50,000 and goes up to Rs 5 Lakh. this policy allows you to cover your family and also pays for Ayush treatment in the country.
2. Corona Rakshak Policy
Corona Rakshak Policy is another coronavirus health insurance policy available for you. This policy covers hospitalization expenses of a minimum of 72 hours and more. The policy also pays for expenses incurred towards:
- PPE’s, nebulizers, masks, oxygen cylinders
- Gloves, oximeters, AYUSH treatment, etc.
- The policy is available for people between 18-65 years
- Individual sum insured ranges between Rs 2.5 lakh and Rs 5 Lakh.
- Individuals with co-morbidity can also get insured paying an additional premium.
Coronavirus Group Health Insurance
If you have group health insurance, it is advisable to check with your medical insurance company whether the policy covers coronavirus treatment expenses. In case your group health insurance is either corona Kavash or corona Rakshak, then rest assured that your group policies cover COVID-19 hospitalization in India.
Popular Health Insurance Companies in India
Since the outbreak of COVID-19, many medical insurance companies are offering health care insurance for coronavirus. Either they are covering the pandemic in their base plans or providing dedicated Covid-19 insurance plans. A list of top health insurance companies offering health insurance for coronavirus are:
| Insurance Companies | Sum Insured (Rs.) |
| Bajaj Allianz Health Insurance | Min – 1.5 LakhMax – 50 Lakh |
| Aditya Birla Health Insurance | Min – 2 LakhMax – 2 Crore |
| Bharti AXA Health Insurance | Min – 3 LakhMax – 5 Lakh |
| Religare Health Insurance (Now Care Health Insurance) | Min – 4 LakhMax – 6 Crore |
| Digit Health Insurance | Min – 2 LakhMax – 25 Lakh |
| HDFC Ergo Health Insurance (earlier known asApollo Munich Health Insurance) | Min – 3 LakhMax – 50 Lakh |
| HDFC ERGO General Health Insurance | Min – 3 LakhMax – 50 Lakh |
| Max Bupa Health Insurance | Min – 3 LakhMax – 1 Crore |
For a complete list of health insurance companies, click here.
Conclusion
Being equipped with a coronavirus health insurance policy is the need of the hour especially when no 100% guaranteed vaccine is available to fight the novel virus. Choose a plan that comes with a maximum cover and financial support. The pandemic is yet to vanish. Exercise your due diligence in conducting the right policy. There are online portals where you can gain the benefits of comparing health insurance policies for free. So, compare health insurance online and pick one that sounds most suitable for your health and wealth.