OPD Health Insurance for Senior Citizens: What You Need to Know?

What is OPD Health Insurance?

Outpatient Department, or OPD health insurance provides coverage for medical expenses incurred on treatments that do not require hospitalisation or overnight stay in the hospital. Instead, patients seek treatment on an outpatient basis and return home the same day, typically within a few hours. This type of mediclaim policy prevents you from spending out-of-pocket for routine healthcare expenses such as doctor consultation fees, vaccinations, pharmacy bills, diagnostic tests, etc.

Some health insurance plans offer OPD coverage as an in-built feature, while others offer it as an add-on on the payment of extra premium. Also, some insurers provide specific OPD health plans, offering extensive coverage for outpatient care.

What is Covered Under OPD Health Insurance for Senior Citizens?

The OPD health insurance for senior citizens pays for the following:

• Doctor consultation fees
• Minor medical procedures
• Investigation & diagnostic tests, such as MRIs, X-rays, blood tests, etc.
• Medicines prescribed by the doctor
• Non-allopathic treatments
• Dental treatments
• Physiotherapy sessions
• Preventive health check-ups

NOTE: The exact list of covered medical expenses may vary between health insurance companies.

Importance of OPD Health Insurance for Senior Citizens

Following are the reasons why OPD health insurance is important for senior citizens:

1. Reducing Out-of-Pocket Medical Expenses

   Traditional health insurance policies majorly focus on covering hospitalisation expenses, leaving routine medical expenses aside. Without OPD coverage, senior citizens often have to bear these costs themselves. However, a good OPD cover reduces such out-of-pocket expenses, ensuring elderly people do not have to compromise on their health due to financial constraints.

2. Coverage for Frequent Doctor Visits

   Senior citizens often require regular consultations with general physicians and specialists for managing chronic illnesses like diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. OPD health insurance covers the doctor consultation fees, allowing elderly people to receive timely medical attention without worrying about the costs.

3. Manages Medicines and Diagnostic Test Expenses

   With ageing comes the need for periodic diagnostic tests such as blood sugar monitoring, ECGs, etc., and long-term medications. These costs can add up over time. OPD insurance helps cover these expenses, making healthcare more affordable for senior citizens.

4. Encourages Preventive Care and Early Detection

   For senior citizens, proactive healthcare is crucial in maintaining overall well-being and managing age-related illnesses. OPD health insurance ensures that elderly people can visit doctors without financial hesitation, encouraging better preventive care.

5. Tax Benefits

   Apart from health benefits, OPD health insurance provides financial relief through tax deductions. Premiums paid for OPD plan for senior citizens are eligible for tax benefits under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act, 1961.

How to Buy OPD Health Insurance for Senior Citizens?

Buying OPD health insurance for senior citizens is easy and quick with Policybazaar.com. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Go to the official website of Policybazaar Insurance Brokers Private Limited and tap on the "Health Insurance" icon.

Step 2: Select the gender and family members you want to include in your mediclaim policy. Continue by selecting their respective ages.

Step 3: Enter your city or pin code along with your personal details, like name and contact number.

Step 4: Provide medical history details and declare whether your employer provides health insurance.

Step 5: Hit the "View Plans" button, and the list of suitable medical plans will be displayed.

Step 6: Use the "Policy Benefits" quick filter and select the "Doctor consultation and pharmacy" option to filter the plan list.

Step 7: Choose the health plan with OPD cover that best meets your requirements and click on "Customise Plan" to select the sum insured, policy duration and riders, if required.

Step 8: After making the necessary selections, click on "Proceed to Proposal" and fill in the required details.

Step 9: Pay the health insurance premium online.

Once the payment is successful, the policy will be issued and shared with you on the registered email ID.

Factors to Consider While Buying OPD Health Insurance for Senior Citizens

Listed below are some of the factors to consider while purchasing OPD cover for senior citizens:

• Coverage Limit: Check the maximum amount covered for OPD expenses to ensure adequate financial protection.
• Waiting Period: Review the waiting period for OPD coverage to avoid unexpected delays in coverage.
• Sub-limits: Make sure you verify the sub-limit clause, as some policies have certain limits on specific OPD expenses, such as doctor fees or diagnostic tests. Opt for a plan with no or minimum sub-limit.
• Inclusions & Exclusions: Carefully examine what outpatient services are covered and what is excluded under your plan.
• Network Facilities: Choose a plan with a broad network of hospitals and clinics to ensure easy access to cashless OPD services.