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Changing Your City? It’s Time to Switch Health Insurance
While shortlisting a health insurance policy, we rarely take into account the impact of moving to a new city within the country. While we consider factors like age, health and gender, before purchasing a policy, we often tend to overlook the location and insurance portability factors. Remember, changing insurance policy can pose quite a challenge if not well-planned out.
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- Changing Your City? It’s Time to Switch Health Insurance
So, what are the most significant changes that you ought to look out for, if you relocate to a new city?
Factors to Look Out Before Switching Health Insurance
1. Change in Health Insurance Premium Rate
The most important aspect that is likely to be impacted is the premium paid for the health cover. For some insurers, health insurance cover is determined on the basis of the zone in which each city falls. Cities have been broadly classified into three zones at present (Zone 1, 2 and 3) and while different insurers have their own specific way of classifying cities into each zone, Mumbai and Delhi fall under Zone 1, most Tier-I cities fall under Zone 2 and the rest of India falls under Zone 3. However, not all metro cities are classified as Zone 1. For example, in the case of Max Bupa Insurance, Delhi is considered to be a Zone 2 city, but for Star Health, it is a Zone 1 city.
If a person moves from a Tier-I city to a Tier II or Tier III city, most insurers provide a policy at a discounted price. If there’s no need of changing insurance policy, policyholders could enjoy the benefit of a refund as there is generally an endorsement provided. Depending on the policy, the individual needn’t necessarily decide on switching health insurance as treatment can be availed on the same policy anywhere. The cost of hospitalisation is lower in smaller cities as opposed to metro cities. The chances of infectious lifestyle diseases too are lower in smaller cities as compared to metro cities.
Read More -: Top Health Insurance Companies in India
2. Restrictions in Coverage for Advanced Medical Treatment
In the case a policyholder moves from a lower zone and avails advanced treatment, some insurers restrict the coverage of the policy. The level of restriction tends to vary from policy to policy. Under such circumstances, a policyholder can avail of a co-payment clause, wherein a fixed percentage of the consultation fee, medical expenses and hospitalisation would have to be borne by them. Depending on the health insurance plan in question, this contribution by the policyholder can range from anything between 10-20%. If policyholders would rather not co-pay every time they require advanced treatment, they can instead opt to pay a higher premium. Generally, insurance portability is allowed at the renewal stage of the policy.
3. Access to Medical Facilities and Network of Hospitals
Another factor that comes into play is your choice of hospitals, depending on the network of hospitals provided to you by your health insurance plan. Network hospitals provide cashless facilities, with greater ease. Remember to keep a keen eye to check whether your preferred hospital features in the list or not. You might have to opt for a policy with a different insurer just in case your preferred hospital is not in the list.
The hassle of switching health insurance policy is negated if you opt for all-India coverage. However, given that the premium paid for such coverage is higher, policyholders can instead, select a zone-based cover, after considering factors such as age, duration of stay in the new city and health condition. If advanced treatment is required or the policyholder is a senior citizen, a pan-India cover would be a better option as it applies to all cities across the country, irrespective of the zone they fall under.
Disclaimer : *Policybazaar does not endorse, rate or recommend any particular insurer or insurance product offered by an insurer.
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Disclaimer: The list mentioned is according to the alphabetical order of the insurance companies. Policybazaar does not endorse, rate or recommend any particular insurer or insurance product offered by any insurer. For complete list of insurers in India refer to the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India website www.irdai.gov.in
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*We will respond in the first instance within 30 minutes of the customers contacting us. 30-minute claim support service is for the purpose of giving reasonable assistance to the policyholder in pursuance of the claim. Settlement of claim (including cashless claim) is the responsibility of the insurer as per policy terms and conditions. The 30- minute claim support is subject to our operations not being impacted by a system failure or force majeure event or for reasons beyond our control. For further details, 24x7 Claims Support Helpline can be reached out at 1800-258-5881.
*Product information is authentic and solely based on the information received from the Insurer. Policybazaar is acting only as a facilitator and claims settlement shall be at the sole discretion of the Insurer. Policybazaar does not provide any medical or surgical advice or diagnosis and is not responsible for your interactions / treatment by a medical practitioner/hospital. Please consult a registered medical practitioner for any medical or surgical advice. The Information that you obtain or receive from Policybazaar, and its employees, or otherwise on the Website is for informational purposes only. As per the Insurance guidelines, you are allowed to cancel the policy with-in 30 days from the date of Issuance of policy.This option is available incase of policies with a term of one year or more.
*All the health insurance plans cover hospitalization expenses including COVID-19 treatment cover up to the specified limits. You can also buy specific COVID-19 health insurance policies such as Corona Kavach Policy and Corona Rakshak policy.
**All savings and online discounts are provided by insurers as per IRDAI approved insurance plans. #Tax Benefits are subject to changes in tax laws. GST Exemptions depend on fulfilment of qualification criteria and submission of relevant documents.
*₹1748/month is the starting price for a 1 crore health insurance for an 18-year-old male, with no pre-existing diseases. Discount on renewal premium is subject to the number of wellness points earned in the health insurance policy. For more details about the plans, please read the sale brochure carefully to get upto 100% discount on renewal premium.
*₹400/month is the starting price for ₹ 5 lakh Health insurance for a 30 year old male & 29 years old female, living in Delhi with no pre-existing diseases
*₹541/month is the starting price for ₹ 10 lakh Health insurance for a 30 year old male & 29 years old female, living in Delhi with no pre-existing diseases
*₹762/month is the starting price for ₹ 1 Crore Health insurance for a 30 year old male & 29 years old female, living in Delhi with no pre-existing diseases
*₹243/month(₹ 8/day) is the starting price for a 5 lakh health insurance for a 20-year-old male, non-smoker, living in Bengaluru with no pre-existing diseases
*₹2020/month is the starting price for ₹ 1 Cr Health insurance for a 50 year old male & 50 years old female, living in Bangalore with no pre-existing diseases rounded off to nearest 10.
*₹390/month (₹13 per day) is starting price for 1 cr. Health insurance for 25 years old male, with pre-existing diseases, residing from tier 1 city rounded off to the nearest 10.
*No medical tests are required unless requested by the insurer’s underwriter. In-case of pre-existing diseases relevant medical proof would be required as per the terms and condition of the policy opted.
*The values taken for effective cost calculation are indicative values and may change as per the selected plan.
*Coverage upto double the amount of Sum Insured is available on certain covers for a minimum plan of Rs. 5 Lakh on the first claim only to an individual of upto 45 years of age with no pre-existing diseases. The benefit is available with or without extra cost depending on the plan chosen.
*Coverage of pre-existing diseases is provided by insurer as per their underwriting policy.
*The scope of coverage may vary from plan to plan.
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Tax Benefits are subject to changes in tax laws. GST Exemption depends on fulfilment of qualification criteria and submission of relevant documents as required by the insurers. For more details on risk factors, terms and conditions, please read the sales brochure and applicable rules and regulation carefully before concluding a sale.
STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLY. For more details on risk factors, terms and conditions, please read the sales brochure carefully before concluding a sale.
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