What is the Difference Between Day Care Treatment and OPD Treatment?

When it comes to medical treatments, not all procedures require hospital admission. Some can be done in a few hours, while others only need a quick visit to the doctor. This is where day care treatment and OPD treatment come into play. While both involve short-duration medical care, they serve different purposes. So, let us help you understand the difference between day care and OPD treatment in health insurance.

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      What is Day Care Treatment?

      Day care treatment in health insurance refers to medical procedures or treatments that require hospitalisation for not more than 24 hours. These treatments have become possible due to the advancement of medical technologies. Some common examples of day care treatments include dialysis, chemotherapy, cataract, radiation, tonsillectomy, septoplasty, etc.

      In India, most health insurance companies offer coverage for day care treatments. However, the extent of coverage can vary between insurers as some may cover a broad range of day care procedures, others might only cover specific ones. You can find the complete list of the covered day care procedures in the policy wording and on the insurer's website.

      What is OPD Treatment?

      OPD (Outpatient Department) treatment refers to medical care where a patient visits a hospital, clinic, or healthcare centre for consultation, diagnosis, or minor procedures without being admitted. Unlike hospitalisation, OPD treatments do not require an overnight stay. Some of the common OPD treatments include doctor consultations, diagnostic tests like blood tests and X-rays, regular health check-ups, etc.

      Most mediclaim insurance policies offer OPD coverage in the basic plan while others provide it as a health insurance add-on, which can be useful for people who frequently need medical attention. It is advisable to check the policy document to understand the extent of OPD coverage in your medical policy.

      Day Care Vs OPD Treatments: Know the Difference

      It might seem that day care treatment and OPD treatment are similar in nature because they involve less time for the treatment. However, both of them are different.

      Check out the table below to know the differences between day care and OPD treatment.

      Features Day Care Treatment OPD Treatment
      Hospitalisation Day care treatments require hospitalisation for not exceeding 24 hours. OPD treatments do not require any hospitalisation.
      Nature of Treatment These are typically procedures like surgeries, dialysis, or chemotherapy, which require a hospital setting. These involve consultations, diagnostic tests, and prescribed medications, which can be done in a clinic or hospital without admission.
      Insurance Coverage Most health insurance plans cover day care procedures. Most mediclaim plans cover OPD treatment expenses as a built-in cover, whereas others offer it as an optional add-on.
      Coverage Limit Under most health plans, day care treatment is covered up to the sum insured limit. OPD treatment coverage generally have a fixed sub-limit.
      Examples Cataract surgery, tonsillectomy, and certain types of chemotherapy are examples of day care treatments. Doctor's consultations, blood tests, and routine check-ups fall under OPD treatments.

      People Also Read: OPD vs IPD: Know the Difference Between OPD and IPD Treatments

      FAQs

      • Q1. What is the difference between OPD and day care?

        Ans: OPD (Outpatient Department) refers to medical consultations, check-ups, and minor treatments that do not require hospital admission. You visit the doctor, get treated, and leave the same day. Day care treatments, on the other hand, involve procedures that need short hospital stays of not more than 24 hours.
      • Q2. What is day care in a hospital?

        Ans: Day care in a hospital means medical procedures or treatments that require you to be admitted for a few hours but not overnight. These are usually planned treatments like minor surgeries, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy.
      • Q3. What does OPD mean?

        Ans: OPD stands for Outpatient Department, where patients consult doctors for diagnosis, tests, and minor treatments without being admitted to the hospital.
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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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