Covid-19 Insurance Policy
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Covid-19 Insurance
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With the rising treatment costs due to Covid-19, people are increasingly worried about the expenses. To help people shield themselves from the financial impact of the Covid-19 medical expenses, the Insurance Regulatory Development Authority of India (IRDAI) approved two standard Covid-19 Health Insurance plans, namely Corona Kavach and Corona Rakshak. Both the health insurance policies are designed to protect you against Covid-19 treatment costs at an affordable premium. Here, we will deep dive into the benefits, coverage, and features of the coronavirus health insurance policy.
What is Covid-19 Health Insurance Policy?
A COVID-19 health insurance policy is a specialised type designed specifically to cover the medical expenses associated with the coronavirus disease. Given the unique challenges and significant costs that can arise from treating COVID-19, this policy aims to provide financial relief to individuals who contract the virus, ensuring they can access necessary medical care without worrying about the burden of high medical costs.
Types of Covid-19 Health Insurance Plans in India
The two types of standard Covid-19 health insurance policies to secure you against Covid-19 treatment expenses are mentioned below.
Corona Kavach
It is a standard indemnity-based policy. Meaning, only the hospital/medical bills will get reimbursed up to the sum insured amount subject to policy terms and conditions. Under this policy, you can claim reimbursement up to the full sum insured amount for any hospitalisation expenses like room rent, ICU charges, surgeon fees, specialist consultation charges, medical investigations, medicines, etc. This means the insurance company will reimburse whatever medical bills you incur during hospital treatment for COVID-19 as per the policy terms and conditions.
Corona Rakshak
It is a standard fixed benefit plan, where 100% of the sum insured amount is paid to you as per policy terms and conditions. So here, the payout is not linked to the actual medical bill, but you get the full sum insured amount as specified under the policy. For instance, if you have a Corona Rakshak plan with a Rs 50,000 sum insured. If you contract COVID-19 requiring hospitalisation, the insurer will pay you Rs 50,000 as the policy benefit, irrespective of the medical costs incurred.
Benefits of Buying ACKO’s Covid-19 Insurance Plan
Zero Paperwork
With ACKO, you can buy the policy online with zero paperwork. This will help you save both time and effort.
14,000+ Network Hospitals
ACKO has a wide network of 14,000+ hospitals across the country to help you get access to quality healthcare treatment.
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With our cashless claims process, stay relaxed as we settle your claims quickly and seamlessly directly with the hospital.
What is Corona Kavach Health Insurance Policy?
It is a standard indemnity-based health insurance policy covering the cost of Covid-19 treatment if you are hospitalised for more than 24 hours upon being diagnosed with the infection by any of the government-authorised diagnostic centres.
It is a short-term policy for a tenure of 3.5 months, 6.5 months, and 9.5 months, with the minimum and maximum sum insured being Rs. 50,000 and Rs. 5 lakhs respectively. Learn more about Corona Kavach policy by ACKO.
What is Corona Rakshak Health Insurance Plan?
Meaning
Corona Rakshak policy, which is a Covid-19 insurance plan, is a standard benefit-based policy. Under this policy, the insurance company will pay a lump sum amount, which is the sum insured, if you are hospitalised for a minimum of 72 hours after testing Covid-19 positive by any of the government authorised testing center.
Sum Insured and Tenure
The basic sum insured is Rs. 50,000 and the maximum is Rs. 2.5 lakhs (in multiples of Rs. 50,000). Once the entire amount is paid out, the policy will cease to exist.
The available policy tenures are 3.5, 6.5, and 9.5 months payable with a single premium. Both Covid-19 health insurance plans are for the short term without any renewability benefits.
How Does it Work?
You need to meet two conditions - Number one, you need to be diagnosed Covid-19 positive by a government authorised testing centre. Second, you need to be hospitalised for at least 72 hours for the treatment.
What Does it Cover?
The policy will cover room rent, comorbid/pre-existing conditions, boarding and nursing charges, surgeons and doctors fees, anesthetists, and Intensive Care Units (ICU). Also, charges towards lab tests, oxygen, and ventilators will be covered under the policy.
Eligibility
Under both the Covid insurance plans, individuals between 18 and 65 years are eligible to buy the policy. However, Corona Rakshak is an individual policy, with no option to purchase a family floater plan.
Inclusions: What is Covered Under Coronavirus Health Policy?
Hospitalisation Costs
Includes room rent, boarding and nursing charges, surgeons, anaesthetists, medical practitioners, consultants, specialists, anaesthesia, operation theatre, surgical appliances, ventilator charges, medicines, drugs, diagnostic tests, etc.
Pre and Post-Hospitalisation
Costs incurred 15 days prior to the hospitalisation or home care treatment, and expenses incurred 30 days after the discharge or completion of the home care treatment, will be covered by the insurance policy.
Domiciliary Treatment Costs
The policy covers home care treatment for a maximum of 14 days as recommended by a doctor/expert. This includes doctor visit fees, medicines, nursing charges, medical practitioner consulting charges, oxygen cylinder(s), pulse oximeter, nebulizer, etc.
Comorbid Conditions
The policy covers treatment expenses for any comorbid/pre-existing medical conditions, along with Covid-19 treatment. It provides financial protection against high medical costs during hospitalisation for pre-existing diseases like diabetes, hypertension, asthma, etc., if the patient also tests positive for Coronavirus.
ICU/ICCU Limit
Expenses towards Intensive Care Unit (ICU) / Intensive Cardiac Care Unit (ICCU) are included in the policy. The policy takes care of medical expenses incurred during ICU/ICCU hospitalisation, which generally tend to be higher due to critical care equipment, medical devices, specialised drugs/injections, etc.
Ambulance Charges
Ambulance charges of a maximum of Rs. 2,000 are covered for transportation of coronavirus-infected patients to and from the hospital in an emergency ambulance vehicle. This provision ensures that patients can avail of ambulance services without worrying about transportation costs.
Consumables
It covers costs towards oxygen, PPE kits, gloves, masks, and similar expenses. These ancillary but critical services and items are integral for Coronavirus patient care
AYUSH Treatment
Also covers expenses related to AYUSH prescribed treatment by a medical practitioner for Covid-19. Medical expenses for Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy systems are covered for up to the sum insured.
Daily Hospital Cash
This is an optional add-on cover that you can buy with the Corona Insurance policy. If you are hospitalised for 24 hours, you can get 0.5% of the sum insured amount on a daily basis for a maximum of 15 days.
What is Not Covered in Corona Insurance Plans?
Here are a few exclusions under both the Covid-19 insurance policies.
Non-authorised Diagnostic Centre
In case the insured person gets tested for Covid-19 from a non-authorised diagnostic centre, then the insurance company can reject your claim for hospitalisation expenses. It is crucial to ensure that testing is done at approved facilities to avoid claim denial and ensure that health authorities recognise your test results.
Claims Raised During Waiting Period
In case you raise a claim within the stipulated waiting period of 15 days, the claim will be rejected. This waiting period is designed to prevent abuse of the insurance system and ensure that the coverage is used for genuine cases diagnosed after the policy inception.
Duration of the Hospitalisation
Hospitalisation for less than 24 hours in the case of Corona Kavach policy and 72 hours in the case of Corona Rakshak policy is not covered under the policy. These duration requirements are set to confirm that only substantial and necessary hospital stays related to COVID-19 are claimed.
Other Medical Costs
Medical expenses unrelated to Covid-19 or other medical treatments not mentioned in the policy document are not covered. This includes treatments for other ailments or pre-existing conditions unless specified or included as part of the policy's broader coverage features.
Treatment Outside India
Diagnostic tests or Covid-19 medical treatment taken outside India will not be covered. This exclusion is important for policyholders to consider, especially if they are traveling or staying abroad, as they may need to secure additional international health coverage.
Travel History
The policy will not compensate you if you have traveled to any of the countries restricted by the government. This exclusion is based on the risks associated with travel to high-risk areas and is meant to encourage adherence to travel advisories issued by health and government officials.
Unprescribed Medicines
Expenses related to buying medicines that are not prescribed by the doctor are excluded. It is essential to follow medical advice and use only those medications approved and prescribed by healthcare professionals to ensure coverage and effective treatment.
How to Buy Corona Insurance Policy Online?
The ease of buying health insurance has changed since the advent of the internet and technology. One can buy health insurance online from anywhere with the help of the internet. Below are the steps to buying a Covid health insurance policy online.
Step 1
Visit the website www.acko.com to purchase the policy online in a hassle-free way. No documentation or paperwork required when you buy a policy on ACKO.
Step 2
Enter important details such as name, age, sum insured, and tenure. In the case of Corona Kavach policy, you need to mention details about dependent children and parents if you purchasing a family floater plan.
Step 3
Pay the premium online and receive the policy document instantly to your email address.
ACKO Covid-19 Health Insurance Claim Process
The claim procedure for both the Covid insurance policies is the same. You can either make a cashless claim or a reimbursement claim.
However, in the case of Corona Kavach policy, you get a reimbursement of the hospitalisation expenses for the treatment of Covid-19. The reimbursement will be up to the sum insured amount specified on the policy document.
In the case of Corona Rakshak policy, you get a lump sum amount which is 100% of the sum insured amount in case of hospitalisation for a minimum period of 72 hours.
Note: While raising claims for both, it is important to inform ACKO at the earliest to avoid rejection of claims. Also, for cashless claims, you need to submit pre-authorisation form to us.
Important Facts on Corona Insurance Cover
Before you opt or buy Covid-19 insurance plan, it is essential that you understand the important facts about the corona policy.
Sum Insured
The maximum sum insured amount in Corona Kavach is Rs. 5 lakh while it is Rs. 2.5 lakh in the case of Corona Rakshak. If you are looking for health insurance more than the above-mentioned sum insured, then you will have to review your decision to buy the Covid-19 specific health insurance.
Coverage
It is important to learn about the details of the coverage provided by the Covid-19 insurance plans. Choose a plan which offers maximum coverage at a lower premium amount. This offers the best balance between the coverage and the premium.
Waiting Period
Most health insurance companies in India apply a waiting period of up to 36 months on pre-existing diseases. However, the waiting period on COVID insurance plans is just 15 days. Additionally, it covers comorbidities.
Frequently Asked Questions About Corona Health Insurance
Below are some of the common queries about Covid-19 health insurance.
Generic FAQs
Is there a discount offered on the premium for the Covid insurance policy?
There is a mandatory 5% discount on premiums for healthcare workers only. Others have to pay the premium, which is pan-India, as prescribed by the insurance company.
How to raise a claim if I am detected with Covid-19?
If you have tested positive for Covid-19 at any of the government authorised diagnostic centres, then inform your insurance company (in this case ACKO) immediately, and they will tell you how to proceed with the claim.
Can I buy the Covid-19 Health Insurance plan online?
Yes, you can buy both types of Covid-19 health insurance online.
Is there a waiting period for the corona policy?
Yes, the waiting period is 15 days for both Covid insurance plans. You cannot raise any claims during this waiting period.
Is there a health insurance policy for the treatment of Covid-19 disease in India?
Yes, IRDAI has approved exclusive Covid health insurance policies to help you stay financially secured against Covid-19 treatment costs.
Coverage Related FAQs
Is Ayush treatment covered under the Covid-19 health insurance plan?
Yes. Under the COVID-19 insurance plan, AYUSH treatment recommended by a medical practitioner is covered.
Are comorbid diseases covered in the coronavirus health insurance policy?
Yes. Under the Covid insurance plan, comorbidities and pre-existing comorbidities are covered.
Is coronavirus covered under your existing health insurance policy?
Many health insurance policies cover Covid-19 related treatment costs. However, it is advisable to get in touch with your insurer and get more details about it.
What are the maximum days of coverage for home care treatment under Covid-19 health insurance plans?
The insurance company will cover home care treatment with a validity of 14 days under both the coronavirus policy.
Eligibility to Buy Coronavirus Health Insurance Plan
Age of the Insured Person
The minimum entry age of the insured person should be minimum of 18 years and maximum of 75 years.
Age of the Dependent Children
For a family floater plan under Corona Kavach policy, dependent children upto 25 years of age are covered. Post this age, the child will be treated as an adult.
Important Factors to be Considered While Purchasing Covid-19 Insurance Cover
Secure Yourself Against Rising Medical Costs
Covid-19 health policies will help you get access to corona policy and safeguard you from rising virus treatment costs.
Provides Additional Safety Net
If you already own a corporate or an individual health insurance policy, you can buy this policy as an additional safety net and protect yourself from Covid-19 related medical expenses.
It is Not a Substitute of Health Policy
Covid insurance plans should not be considered as a substitute for a health insurance policy. A health insurance policy will protect you against all hospitalisation costs, including Covid-19.
Choose Sum Insured and Tenure Wisely
Considering the virus treatment is expensive, it is recommended to protect yourself with a higher sum insured amount for a longer tenure i.e., 9.5 months.
News Related to COVID-19 Insurance:
Sale and Renewal Validity of Short-term COVID-19 Policies Extended
– March 25, 2021
The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) in its recent circular shared an update concerning the short-term COVID-19-specific insurance policies. Last year in June, the regulatory body had directed insurance companies to come up with policies to cover COVID-19. Thus, short-term policies came into the picture.These policies are Corona Kavach (indemnity-based policy) and Corona Rakshak (benefit-based policy).
Such policies were offered for a period of less than twelve months. The guidelines for these policies were valid till March 2021. Now that the date is near, there has been an extension in the timeline. It has been extended till the end of September 2021. As a result, insurance companies can sell and renew short-term policies related to COVID-19 till 30th September 2021. The guidelines concerning these policies have not been modified.
Maharashtra Includes COVID-19 In Government Employee Health Insurance
– December 24, 2020
The government of Maharashtra has announced that COVID-19 has been added to the list of diseases covered by the health insurance plan for government employees. The health minister of Maharashtra made this important announcement. The Maharashtra government employees will be covered under the health insurance if they contract coronavirus or COVID-19. The statement also said that the immediate relatives of the employee are also covered under the insurance plan. As the state government had permitted more employees to report to work from 2 September 2020, the COVID-19 cover will be applicable from September of this year. In 2005, the Maharashtra government had listed 27 diseases, which includes diseases related to the heart and lungs, covered under the employee health insurancescheme. Now, the COVID-19, which attacks the lungs, has been added to the list. With the ongoing pandemic, it’s a good move from the Maharashtra government to provide health insurance coverage against the deadly virus.
IRDAI Issues Waiting Period Guideline for Renewal of COVID-19 Policies
– October 15, 2020
In the first half of 2020, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) had introduced COVID-19-specific policies such as Corona Kavach & Corona Rakshak. Such policies are available to be purchased from health insurance companies. These policies are short-term in nature and need to be renewed by the policyholder for uninterrupted coverage. Recently, the IRDAI has come up with a guideline regarding the renewal of such policies. The notification is regarding the Waiting Period associated with the policies. The guideline states that insurance companies should not impose the 15-day Waiting Period when it comes to the renewal of Corona Kavach & Corona Rakshak policies as per the applicable terms and conditions. The policies should be renewed before their expiry date for continuous coverage. Migration and portability of Corona Kavach and Corona Rakshak policies is also permitted by IRDAI.
Citizens Over 65 Too Can Buy Corona Kavach Policy
– September 21, 2020
The regulatory body of the insurance industry said that medical insurance for the novel coronavirus, Corona Kavach, is offered to citizens up to the age of 65 years old. However, for those above the age of 65, insurers offer the product based on the insurance company’s underwriting policy and the risk appetite. The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) also said that the scheme has provided coverage between Rs. 50,000 and Rs. 5 lakh for 3.5 to 9.5 months and a 5% discount is offered to health care workers. The insurance apex body in India said that a premium has to be paid even if it is senior citizens as a low premium will have to cross-subsidised by people who do not fall under the senior citizen category. The body further added that this would discourage younger customers from buying the Corona Kavach policy. Corona Kavach was launched to cater to the treatment of Covid-19 and is solely designed for medical treatment of the deadly infection.
COVID-19 Health Covers Insure 60 Lakh Lives
– September 17, 2020
As per the chairman of the IRDAI, insurance companies in India have insured around sixty lakh people under the two COVID-19 policies. These two policies are the Corona Kavach and Corona Rakshak plans. This statistic was revealed by Mr Subhash Chandra Khuntia during the 22nd Insurance and Pensions Summit. The summit was planned by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). The standard indemnity Corona Kavach policy is provided by all general insurers whereas the Corona Rakshak plan is a fixed benefit plan. Since their launch, the number of Corona Kavach policies sold is around 28 lakhs and the number for Corona Rakshak plans is around 32 lakhs. The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) had initiated these policies due to the growing threat of the pandemic. You can buy these policies by reaching out to your preferred health insurance company in India.
Video-Based KYC for Onboarding New Customers Approved by IRDAI
– September 2, 2020
The insurance regulator in India has approved the use of video-based KYC for new customers. The permission to use the video-based identification process was to increase the ease of performing KYC for onboarding customers, especially during the current Covid-19 pandemic in the country. Through this method, a representative of the insurance provider will undertake real-time, consent-based audio-visual interaction while onboarding the new customer. This will help the representative get the identification details, which includes the mandatory documents and to confirm the authenticity of the information provided by the customer. The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) said in a letter to insurance companies in India to use the video-based method to identify the new customer and leverage the use of digital platforms for verification purposes. The representative of the insurance company shall record the audio-video interaction and capture a live photograph of the customer and procure identification details. The system will also capture the live location of the customer otherwise known as geotagging. The photograph should match that of the customer’s Aadhaar.
Corona Kavach Health Insurance Policy Can be Offered As Group Insurance
– July 22, 2020
The insurance regulator has approved general and standalone health insurers to offer the new Corona Kavach standard Covid-19 health insurance as a group insurance plan. Through this feature, the standard Covid-19 health insurance can be bought by organisations and companies for their employees. Also, if the group consists of doctors and other healthcare providers, then a discount of 5% can be availed. Corona Kavach was launched in early July this year aimed specifically towards the treatment of Covid-19 and is available with tenures such as 3.5, 6.5 and 9.5 months. The sum insured amount ranges from Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 5 lakh.
IRDAI: Health Care Workers, Doctors To Get 5% Discount on Corona Kavach Health Insurance Policy
– July 16, 2020
The Insurance Regulator and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) asked insurance providers to offer a 5% discount on Corona Kavach, a standard health insurance policy for doctors, health care workers who are at the forefront in fighting the coronavirus disease in the country. The Corona Kavach is a COVID-19 specific standard health insurance policy which is available as an individual and family floater policy. Through the release, the insurance regulator said that as an acknowledgement of their contribution towards the fight against the deadly novel coronavirus, doctors, nurses and other health care workers will get a 5% discount on the premium through the Corona Kavach policy. The policy is available for tenures of 3.5, 6.5 and 9.5 months for cashless treatment facilities from Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 5 lakh.
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