Are you planning to purchase an insurance policy to secure your finances during medical emergencies? Well, that is great. There are two broad ways you can approach this – by purchasing a regular medical insurance plan or by opting for a Mediclaim policy. Yes, these are two different policies, even though many people tend to substitute one term for the other. Wondering which one would be suitable for you? A look at what each policy offers and the differences between both can be of help to you.
Coverage aspect
Looking at coverage, a Mediclaim policy offers to pay for expenses relating to hospitalisation. This coverage extends to hospitalisation for three main reasons – due to an illness, a sudden bodily injury, or due to a major surgery, as long as the specifics of each agree with the terms and conditions of the policy. While the Mediclaim policy offers benefits of its own, it does not allow the policyholder to opt for add-ons.
A medical insurance policy, on the other hand, offers coverage for pre and post hospitalisation besides the regular admittance period. Most policies of this type also cover ambulance charges, AYUSH treatment, vaccination, annual health check-ups, X-rays and other tests, and so on.
In a medical insurance plan, one can opt for several add-ons such as critical illness insurance, personal accident insurance, daily hospital cash, and so on at the cost of extra premium.
Premium
The premium for both the types of policies depends upon several aspects. These include the chosen sum insured, the number of people insured under the plan, the voluntary deductible decided, and so on. It also depends upon the insurance company.
Keeping that in mind, the premium for a Mediclaim policy is usually lower as compared to a regular medical insurance plan. Hence, it is considered as a more affordable healthcare plan.
Adjustability
In most cases, a Mediclaim policy may not be adjusted or modified as per the unique requirements of the policyholder. Mediclaim policies often tend to be standard.
Medical insurance plans do allow modifications and alterations in the policy based on the unique health needs of the policyholder. Depending on the age, pre-existing conditions, risks of certain illnesses in the future, and so on, the insurer may design a policy suited for the insured.
These are some major differences between the two types of policies. When considering which one would be more suitable for you, you can consider the following factors:
- Number of people looking to be insured
Regular health insurance plans for family would be better if you are looking to insure a higher number of people under one plan. Since the health needs of several people have to be taken care of, a plan that offers comprehensive protection would be preferable.
- Budget/Financial condition
If you are looking for hospitalisation coverage at a limited budget, a Mediclaim policy would be advisable. The lower premiums give one a greater peace of mind for when the unfortunate strikes without breaking too much of a bank.
- The specific illnesses of the insured
If the people looking to be insured suffer from any illnesses that require special care and extra coverage, a regular medical insurance plan. However, if you are looking for regular hospitalisation for an illness or health issue that occurs not so frequently, a Mediclaim policy would be better.
As we have seen, medical insurance and Mediclaim each have their own different features. Choose the one that suits your needs the best.
