Keeping Healthy with Health Insurance Wellness Programs

COVID-19 has burgeoned the need for health insurance in India, increasing the demand rate by about 20 per cent. According to CARE Ratings, there was a 32 per cent growth in Health insurance recorded till August, compared to 12.6 per cent in the corresponding period last year. This consequent hike makes knowing about health insurance plans and their features all the more necessary. One of the most beneficial highlights of health plans is its wellness programs. Getting a health policy with wellness programs helps you steer through medical emergencies and gives financial protection, while simultaneously ensuring the top healthcare facilities.

After the Covid-19 outbreak, the Indian health insurance market has grown by leaps and bounds. Insurers in India have started to offer innovative products coupled with exciting features and benefits. Wellness programs provided with health insurance plans are an example of the same. Wellness programs are comprehensive health initiatives that are intended to support or promote well-being through proper diet, exercise, stress management, and illness prevention. It means that when you buy a health insurance policy with wellness programs, you get a variety of benefits at a no-added cost. So let us look at some of the benefits offered under the health insurance wellness programs.

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Reward Points

Many insurers today reward their customers for inculcating healthy habits and doing physical exercises such as running, cycling, exercising, or following a healthy diet. The customers can use these reward points at the time of policy renewal to get attractive discounts on their premiums. These points can in turn also be used for discounts on pharmacy bills, diagnostic expenses, outpatient consultations, etc. Insurers also permit customers to club their reward points for participating in fitness events like marathons, yoga camps, etc.

Wellness Coach

There are some insurers that provide wellness coaches for their policyholders under health insurance wellness programs. These coaches are trained and certified professionals that work in association with insurance companies. Such coaches are there to guide the insured in matters of health and wellness. Their job is to work towards a healthy diet, proper nutrition, exercise, mental health balance, correct bodyweight, etc. of the insured. Policyholders can earn reward points and other health-related services by achieving the targets set by their wellness coach.

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Free Medical Opinion

Many health insurers let policyholders refer to another doctor or specialist for a second medical opinion. These are mostly specialist guidance concerning stipulated diseases or surgeries. However, for availing of this benefit, policyholders need to thusly inform the insurer about seeking a second medical opinion from a specialist. The standard procedure involves filling up a claim form and offering copies of all medical reports to the insurer.

Choosing a health insurance policy with wellness programs has an array of advantages. It not only helps you save your hard-earned money but also motivates you to embrace a healthy lifestyle that will help you stay in good shape. The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) issued guidelines for the wellness features provided under health insurance policies in September 2020. The mandate stated that improving the overall health of the policyholders was its end purpose.

As per the recent Union Budget, the contribution of deaths due to non-communicable diseases has risen from 37 per cent to 61 per cent. These non-communicable diseases include unhealthy lifestyle diseases like obesity, diabetes, etc. It is vital to curb the possibility of such life-threatening diseases by opting for a healthier lifestyle. So be sure to look out for wellness benefits while getting health insurance and beat the threats of a sedentary lifestyle.

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