The onset of monsoon brings respite from hot summer days. But it also leads to a spurt in seasonal diseases like dengue and malaria. Dengue, which is a fatal disease, has reportedly affected a large population in the country. Let’s talk about dengue insurance.
Insurance companies have come up with a special cover looking at the rise in the number of dengue-related hospitalisations. This cover ensures that all of your health costs are met while dealing with this vector-borne disease.
The dengue insurance cover takes care of both inpatient and outpatient treatment. Such single disease policy gives you maximum coverage and also works in the form of an add-on to your basic Health Insurance plan.
Let us take a look at what the dengue insurance cover offers and find out whether you should opt for it while taking a Health Insurance policy.
What The Insurance Offers
The dengue insurance policy requires no pre-insurance check-ups and can be bought if the applicant declares in the form that he/she is not suffering from dengue presently.
If you are diagnosed with dengue, be it dengue fever or hemorrhagic fever or even dengue shock syndrome, most schemes pay the entire sum assured to you at the time of diagnosis. The insurance companies typically need you to submit a doctor’s certificate with at least a day or two of inpatient hospital care for medical treatment.
A regular health policy does not pay for outpatient care for dengue fever. Some dengue specific insurance policies cover both inpatient and outpatient treatment cost. The insurer takes care of all medical costs incurred 15 days prior to being hospitalised and after.
Claims can be made under the special plan along with the existing health plan. Also, no maturity benefits are given with a dengue insurance cover.
Premium Cost
The premium amount in these disease-specific plans is the same for everyone, regardless of the insured person’s age. It’s generally quite affordable. Most plans cost you about Rs. 500 annually for up to a sum assured of Rs. 50,000. This includes about Rs. 50,000 for inpatient care and around Rs. 10,000 for outpatient care. While the maximum sum assured is Rs. 1 lakh, the minimum is around Rs. 25, 000.
Should You Go For It?
It’s important to understand your requirements before you purchase a policy. A dengue-specific plan only covers dengue treatment and one must ensure that the coverage includes outpatient as well as inpatient care, home-treatment, funds for diagnostic tests, etc. You should definitely go for this plan as it acts as an add-on to your basic health plan.
Remember that no other disease can be clubbed with this policy so it’s not a substitute for a basic Health Insurance. Also, if you are hospitalised for less than two days, your claim might not be considered under this plan.