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Importance of Having the Right Health Insurance Policy in Monsoon Season

Team AckoApr 17, 2024

Despite the inconveniences that come with it, monsoon is quite a favorite season of many. That’s why not having to worry about your health would probably be the best way to enjoy this vibrant time of the year. Think about having a health insurance policy that can protect you against the financial burden of diseases in monsoon and other health injuries. It is always better to plan the future ahead and invest in the right health insurance policy for financial security. This article runs you through the importance of having the right health insurance policy in monsoon.

Contents

Why is Health Insurance Important During Monsoon?
Key Features and Benefits of Monsoon Medical Insurance Coverage:
General Inclusions of Health insurance:
General Exclusions of Health Insurance:
How to Apply for Monsoon Cover Insurance?
Applying for Health Insurance Policy and Filing a Claim:
- Cashless Claims
- Reimbursement Claims
Monsoon Health Tips:
List of Monsoon Diseases:
Conclusion:
Frequently Asked Questions:

Why is Health Insurance Important During Monsoon?

There are quite a number of reasons why health insurance is an absolute essential during monsoon. It is a well-known fact that the weather conditions during monsoon are optimal for the growth and spread of various disease-causing organisms. Frequent rainfalls and humidity leave behind puddles of stagnant water where mosquitoes and other vectors start to breed. On top of that, the constant volley of hot and cold caused by the temperature fluctuations can easily make one fall sick with flu-like symptoms at least once in this season. Besides that, there are other severe health risks due to the rise in road accidents during monsoon.

Driving on slippery roads in monsoon can lead to accidents due to the skidding of a vehicle. This can result in damage to the vehicle and injuries to the driver, passengers, and other people on the road. Excessive rainfall and consequent flooding can also increase the risk of electrocution in case of damaged electrical wires. Such fatal accidents need to be covered by a good health insurance plan.

Key Features and Benefits of Monsoon Medical Insurance Coverage:

The monsoon medical insurance policy offers coverage against healthcare expenses arising from either hospitalization or inpatient treatments in the case of any serious vector-borne disease, often without any age limitation. Recently, disease-specific plans have been designed to provide the most customized insurance services for the monsoon season with many useful benefits. Some key benefits of these coverage plans are:

Comprehensive coverage against hospitalization expenses for treatment of dengue, malaria (infection cover), accidental injuries, and non-communicable diseases
Coverage for diagnostic investigations
Coverage for an outpatient doctor visit or follow-up post hospitalization
Coverage for medical costs and costs of transportation via ambulances
Some plans can be topped up in case of serious deterioration of health leading to ICU admissions. Benefits like No Claim Bonus and global coverage are also available.

General Inclusions of Health insurance:

All insurance policies come with certain general inclusions like comprehensive motor and home insurances. But it is wise to inquire about the waiting periods associated with such plans. A waiting period is a time it takes to receive coverage after buying a certain insurance policy. Here are the general inclusions of health insurance policies:

Hospitalization
Pre and post hospitalization treatment
Daycare procedures (small surgeries which require less than 24 hours of hospitalization)
Domiciliary Treatment (availing treatment at home)
Expenses for donating an organ
Ambulance charges

General Exclusions of Health Insurance:

Since the aim of an insurance policy is to cover unpredicted events, the general exclusions are any pre-existing medical conditions and cosmetic treatments like plastic surgeries or dental surgeries. Other expenses not covered by the monsoon health insurance policy are those due to self-inflicted injuries, or Ayurvedic treatments.

How to Apply for Monsoon Cover Insurance?

Applying for the insurance plan is quick thanks to online payment methods. You can visit the website of your trusted insurance company and choose a plan most suitable to your needs.

Applying for Health Insurance Policy and Filing a Claim:

A claim under a health insurance policy can be of the following two types:

Cashless Claims
Under cashless hospitalization, you can get help from the hospital insurance help desk i.e. TPA if you get admitted to a network hospital. The application forms can be filled and sent with other required documents to the insurance company. After verification, the company will settle your claim directly with the hospital, while you have to pay only the deductibles.
Reimbursement Claims
Unlike the cashless option, under reimbursement, the policy can be claimed to cover the expense at any hospital. However, you are required to pay the hospital bill entirely by yourself first, after which you can fill the reimbursement form and attach all the required documents. Once the company verifies and approves your request, it will reimburse your hospitalization expenses up to the sum insured.

Monsoon Health Tips:

Having a proper health insurance coverage should be complemented with taking precautionary measures during the monsoon season. Enjoy the rain with a cup of healthy green tea and balance your diet with healthy options such as fruits and green leafy vegetables. Here are some quick monsoon health tips:

Avoid flu-like symptoms by maintaining good hygiene and refraining from touching your nose and mouth.
Wear freshly laundered clothes every day, especially cotton clothes.
Drink clean, boiled and luke-warm water.
Strengthen your immunity by adding ginger, cardamom and cinnamon to your food.
Avoid eating from outside and being in crowded places.
Try using a skin-friendly mosquito repellent.
Wear full-sleeved clothes while leaving home.
Always keep an umbrella with you so that you can avoid getting drenched by the sudden rains.

List of Monsoon Diseases:

Certain diseases are more common than others during the rainy seasons, and understandably so, given the predisposing weather conditions. Here is a list of the most common monsoon diseases to be aware of and avoid like the plague:

Dengue
Chikungunya
Malaria
Cholera
Typhoid
Viral fever
Diarrhoea
Common cold and flu
Leptospirosis
Stomach Infections

Most of the vector-borne diseases have some common symptoms such as high-grade fever, lethargy, joint and muscle pain, headache, sore throat, diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting. More severe symptoms include low blood pressure, rapid heart rate, easy bruising, bleeding gums and blood in the stool.

Conclusion:

Medical emergencies can occur anytime, but the monsoon season is the right time to opt for a comprehensive insurance coverage for yourself and your family. If you or any of your family members experience any symptoms of vector-borne or water-borne communicable disease, you should immediately seek medical help. Many symptoms are often taken lightly which later on turn out to be serious, especially for children and the elderly. To select an insurance plan most suitable for you, always make sure you are thorough about the coverage and exclusions that are provided by your insurance company.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1) Why should outside food be avoided during monsoon?

You may not be aware of the quality of ingredients used in the food cooked when it is not cooked at home. The water may be contaminated, or vegetables/meat used to cook a dish may be stale. These things could have an adverse effect on your health. Thus, outside food should be avoided during monsoon.

2) Will my hospitalization for excessive vomiting and diarrhoea be covered under health insurance?

Yes, hospitalization is covered under health insurance.

3) What are pre-existing diseases?

Pre-existing diseases are the ailments you already suffer from when buying a health insurance policy. Some insurance companies enforce a waiting period of a few months to a few years on pre-existing diseases.

4) My health insurance policy is expiring before the monsoon, should I wait for the monsoon to approach for renewal?

No, you should be covered under a health insurance policy at all times. A gap in insurance renewal will put you at financial risk in case you face a medical emergency.

5) Can I avail a cashless claim from a non-network hospital?

No, a cashless claim can be availed only at a network hospital. This is because your insurance company has a tie-up with network hospitals and can process a claim faster.

Disclaimer: The content on this page is generic and shared only for informational and explanatory purposes. It is based on industry experience and several secondary sources on the internet; and is subject to changes. Please go through the applicable policy wordings for updated ACKO-centric content and before making any insurance-related decisions.

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