Our parents do everything in their power to look after us throughout our childhood and even into adulthood, right? And it’s only normal that as we get older and become financially independent, we continue to look for methods to help take care of our parents. However, as millennials, we must realise that getting them medical insurance or health insurance for parents is a gift that is more valuable than any flashy present. Health, after all, is wealth!
The need for health insurance policies for parents
Parents are the primary caregiver in a family. They are responsible for caring for their children and other family members. Without health insurance policies, they would be risking their health and the health of their family by not having access to adequate medical care.
- The need for affordable and accessible healthcare is a global issue that needs to be resolved.
- The United States is no exception to this problem, as one in five adults is uninsured.
- Families without health insurance plan or who cannot afford it are at risk of developing chronic conditions or even death due to a lack of treatment or medication.
- The need for health insurance policies for parents is a growing concern. Parents are often left with the absurd decision of taking time off of work to care for their sick children or burdening their already stretched finances with the high cost of childcare.
In order to address this problem, many companies now offer health insurance for parents in addition to medical and dental insurance.
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5 thumb rules to follow while buying health plans for parents
You should not put your money on a plan before understanding what the policy covers. They should consider how much they can afford and how much they need. The parent should compare plans in terms of premiums, co-insurance, and out-of-pocket maximums. Lastly, the parent needs to read the fine print before signing up for any health plan.
- Conditions relating to pre-existing conditions
Pre-existing conditions are medical ailments or illnesses that existed before the purchase of a health insurance policy. Therefore, it is important to check policies for coverage of pre-existing conditions and the waiting period applicable for such coverage, if any.
How to work on that?
- Decide on health insurance for parents that includes all their existing medical treatments and needs.
- Make sure to check on the coverage of the policy before selecting one.
- Understand the additional benefits and coverage you can avail of along with the policy.
- Compare health insurance policies and their features before purchasing one for your parents.
- Remember to look out for the no-claim bonus that can be availed on renewal.
- Coverage of hospitalisation costs for patients
Many health policies come with coverage for hospitalisation costs. This includes medical expenses that are incurred in the process of treatment, including room and board charges, diagnostic tests, and other miscellaneous charges.
Some Tips to Note
- In the health insurance plan, it’s essential to consider any sub-limits when choosing a policy carefully and to go for the one offering the most coverage.
- Review your policy periodically to ensure that it will cover you if you need hospitalisation.
- Discuss with your agent about any inclusion, if need be.
- Inquiring about the waiting period, co-payment, sub-limits, and exclusions
The waiting period can influence the eligibility of a person to make claims for certain treatments. Co-payment is an amount that needs to be paid by the policyholder in addition to the premium amount. Sub-limits refer to the maximum claim limit fixed per illness or treatment. Exclusions are conditions and treatments that are not covered under the insurance policy.
How to manage?
- Before you decide on a policy, it is important to enquire about the waiting period for pre-existing diseases, co-payment percentage for claiming the amount, sub-limits on room rents, ICU charges, etc., and the list of exclusions like mental illness, cosmetic surgeries, etc., to be sure you are choosing the right policy.
- The waiting period for any health insurance for parents can typically range from one to four years.
- There is good news for senior citizens who need medical insurance because several insurance providers have lowered the waiting period to as little as one year.
- It is partly due to the fact that seniors typically require more rapid hospitalisation. The general guideline is that the shorter the waiting period, the better.
- Issues with costs incurred after hospitalisation
As the name implies, this deals with the payment of any costs paid by the policyholder upon hospital release. Many health insurance plans provide less coverage and shorten the post-hospitalisation time for seniors. Therefore, it is best to review the terms in effect before choosing any policy.
What to do if you face an issue?
- Check if your health insurance policy covers all the costs related to hospitalisation.
- Make sure to understand the terms and conditions associated with the medical bills and procedures thoroughly before finalising them.
- Opt for generic or generic-equivalent drugs instead of expensive branded ones.
- Avail medical facilities like lab tests, consultations, and follow-ups in the same hospital to save on costs.
- Limits on hospitalisations for daycare
Many health insurance policies have limits on hospitalisation for daycare treatments. The limits can be imposed both on the length of stay and the number of treatments. Some policies also have a limit on the cost of daycare treatments that are covered.
Tips to Note
- Check if your health insurance plan covers all kinds of surgeries and whether it compensates for the entire hospitalisation cost. For instance, chemotherapy treatments, dialysis, and cataract surgery.
- Verify if there are any limitations on the daycare hospitalisation numbers that the policy will cover.
- Keep in mind that although daycare centres are typically covered by senior health insurance policies, certain plans tend to limit the number of such facilities.
Health insurance is one of the most important investments a millennial should make for their parents. It not only secures financial security in case of any medical emergency but also helps in reducing the burden of medical expenses on parents. Be sure to know how many daycare centres are covered by the coverage before purchasing health insurance for parents. With careful analysis and comparisons, millennials can ensure that they make the right choice and select a policy that meets their parents’ needs best.
Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.
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