5 Best Health Insurance Plans in India for

2017 – 18
Best Health Insurance Plans offer smooth cashless treatment or reimbursement of treatment costs
and expenses if and when the insured falls ill.

It can be regarded as a contract between the insurance policy holder and the insurer which
ensures that the insuring company pays for expenses incurred when getting treatment for
medical conditions covered by the policy.

Health insurance is vital due to the increasing cost of treatment. The policy plays a major role in
ensuring that the medical emergency does not convert into a financial problem.

Health insurance helps take care of the health care requirements while simultaneously
making sure that the savings remain intact and the long-term goals of the insured do not get
compromised.

Some of the main features and benefits of health insurance are mentioned below:

 Cashless treatment: Most insurance companies have tie-ups with hospitals and clinics
across the country. Treatment at any of these hospitals is generally free. Policy holders
only need to show the policy card and number and the insurer takes care of the
expenses. This type of policy is the most preferred because it does not involve arranging
varied documents and stress of resolution of claims. It is important to note that hospital
expenses which are over the sub-limits specified in the insurance policy need to be paid by
the policy holder to the hospital. Another thing to remember is the fact that cashless
treatment is unavailable in hospitals with which the insurer has no tie-ups.

 No claim bonus (NCB): The policy holder can avail of this benefit if he/she has not filed
any medical claims during the past year. This benefit can be availed at the time of renewal
in the form of a cost discount or increase in the assured sum.

 Pre and post-hospitalization fees: Your health insurance plan may include an add-on
benefit of pre and post hospitalization fee cover for a period of 30 to 60 days. This feature
allows for reimbursement of illness related expenses that are incurred by the policy
holder before and after hospitalization for a specific time period.

 Medical checkups: People with health insurance are entitled to get medical checkups
regularly. Some insurance providers offer cashless check-ups to policy holders with a
history of NCB.
  Tax benefits: As per Section 80D of the 1961 Income Tax Act, Indians with health
insurance policies can avail a tax rebate on the premiums paid. Health insurance policy
holders aged between 18 to 60 years can avail a tax rebate of up to INR 25,000 while
those above 60 years of age can get up to INR 30,000 tax rebate. Individuals who are
paying insurance for self and their senior citizen parents can avail of tax rebate of up to INR
55,000 on premiums paid.

 Room rent sub limits: Health insurance policies usually have a variety of sub-limits and
room rent is one such sub limit. Insurance companies offer max coverage up to the
assured sum, but they often reduce their liabilities by adding the room rent coverage
sub limit clause. Sub limit of room rent during hospitalization is calculated on a daily
basis. For example, if the room rent sub limit is INR 4000 per day and the per day room
charges are INR 7000, then the policy holder will need to pay the extra INR 3000 to the
hospital from his/her own pocket. Room rent charges are dependent on the type of room
availed during treatment; it can a single room or a shared room.

 Other types of sub limits: Besides room rent sub limits, the insurance policy may also
have sub limits for medical tests costs, doctor’s fees, surgery/operation cost, and medicine
cost.

 Co-payment: This add-on benefit is helpful in lowering the cost of health insurance. The
co-payment feature on health insurance plans have pre-defined data about voluntary
deductibles that has to be paid by the insurer. Thus, if medicines are needed as part of
treatment then the policy holder will pay some amount while the rest of the cost of
medications will be paid by the company. This cost-sharing feature has no effect on the
assured sum.

 Portability of health insurance: This option allows the policy holder to change the
insurance provider to another company without the loss of continued benefits involving
waiting period, pre-existing conditions, and exclusions associated with previous policy, etc.
In order to avail the portability option, policy holders need to change to a plan that is
provided by the company and then after one year they can switch to another company.

Individuals need to consider the below listed factors before selecting a health insurance plan:

 Select an insurance company with a good claim settlement record. A higher claim
settlement ratio means that the insurer is reliable, credible, and trustworthy and your
medical expense claims process will most likely be stress free and easy.
  Check and understand the different sub-limits, co-pay, and other caps that make up
the health insurance policy. These factors can adversely affect the benefits in the long
term.

 Renewability or insurance coverage should be lifelong. This is because health insurance is

usually needed in old age. The policy renewal must therefore be continuous and lifelong
and any breaks can lead to loss of all benefits and exclusions gained during previous
years

 Check the scope of health coverage, and not just the cost, before choosing a plan. Select a
policy that offers comprehensive cover, including that for pre-existing conditions.

 Ensure that the cashless hospital network of the insurer is widespread. Also verify if a
hospital included by the insurance firm is located near your residence.

 Select a company with a dedicated internal team for medical expenses claims. Firms
with third-party Mediclaim administrators often have a longer turnaround time.

 Check the T’s & C’s with regards to premium loading. It will help save and prevent
payment of incremental high premium after making an expense claim.

5 Best Health Insurance plan for 2017

Listed below are the 5 best health insurance plans for 2017.

 Iffco Tokio General: The product name is Individual Health Protector. It also covers more
than 10 critical illnesses. There is no limit for entry age. It offers coverage during illness,
diseases and injuries that require hospitalization. The basic cover includes benefits like
no claim bonus, coverage for expenses on treatments like Ayurveda apart from
conventional medicine, pre and post hospitalization expenses; etc. The plan includes co-
payment after the first claim in the range of 7.5 to 20 percent.

 Max Bupa Health – The product name is Individual Health Companion. The sum assured
can be anywhere from Rs. 2 lakh to Rs. 1 crore. The plan offers lifetime renewability and
comes with smart top-up options. There is a 12.5 percent discount on the premium if
you renew the plan on the second year.
  ICICI Lombard General – The name of the product is Comprehensive Health Insurance.
The benefits include coverage of medical expenses during hospitalization, coverage of
medical expenses incurred 30 days prior and 60 days post hospitalization, coverage of
pre-existing diseases post 2/4 years of continuous coverage within the company, life
time renewability, cashless cover, emergency ambulance cover among other benefits.

 Religare Health – The product name is Care. It offers recharge benefit equivalent to 100
percent of the sum assured. This means the insured can restore the sum assured by 100
percent if the sum insured falls short or is completely exhausted due to an unrelated claim in
the same policy period. Irrespective of the claims made or not, it offers health check-ups
once a year. It provides no claim bonuses and super add-on covers as well.

 Cigna TTK Health – The product is known as Pro Health Protect. There is no maximum
entry age. The individual gets a 10 percent discount on the premium amount for
enrolling more than two family members under a single individual policy. There is an
extra discount of 7.5 percent for choose a 2-year single-premium policy and a 10
percent for a three-year single premium policy. The product comes with a lifetime
renewability option.

Best Health Insurance Plans in India

3.3/5 (120 page reviews)

Health insurance is an imperative buy as it helps you to keep up with the ever soaring healthcare costs, thus securing a healthy
future for yourself and your family. But it is the most intricate insurance product of all. It comes with numerous riders and benefits
and hence there are so many variants to it.

To make the matter more confusing, there stands a long string of fine prints to meddle with. Besides, there are so many health
insurance companies to choose from. Buying a family health plan is no longer a simple affair.

But you can put a halt to your confusion because at PolicyBazaar we are passionate about getting
you the best of insurance. Take your pick from the 10 best health insurance plans in India. These
plans have been chosen over others as they stand superior on certain parameters such as eligibility,
uniqueness of features, coverage, affordability, limits and exclusions.

10 Best Health Insurance Plans in India

1. Star Health Senior Citizen Red Carpet

2. Star Health Cardiac Care
3. Apollo Munich Optima Restore
4. ICICI Lombard Complete Health Insurance
5. Max Bupa Heartbeat
6. Religare ‘Care’ - Health Insurance Policy
7. New India Assurance Janata Mediclaim Policy
8. Bharti AXA SmartHealth
9. Oriental Insurance Happy Family Floater
10. L&T my:health Medisure Prime Insurance

Sum Premium
Entry
S.No. Company Plan Assured starts USP
Age
(Rs) from (Rs)
Senior 1,00,000
60 – 75
1 Star Health Citizen Red to 5000 Specially designed for old aged
years
Carpet 5,00,000
3,00,000
10 – 65
2 Star Health Cardiac Care to 18000 A boon for the cardiac patients
years
4,00,000
18 – 65
years
3,00,000
Apollo Optima Restores the exhausted sum
3 91 days to 5000
Munich Restore assured
to 21 15,00,000
years (for
floater)
6 years –
Complete
No upper
Health A comprehensive plan featuring
limit 3,00,000
ICICI Insurance a floater cover that can extend to
4 to 3300
Lombard all the family members
3 months 10,00,000
- iHealth including brothers and sisters
(for
Plan
floater)
A family oriented health
insurance with unique features
2,00,000 such as inbuilt maternity and
No age
5 Max Bupa Heartbeat to 3700 new-born benefits. The insured
limit
50,00,000 can get up to 13 family
members covered under one
single plan
5 years –
No upper
2,00,000 This plan set a new benchmark
Care Health limit
to by extending the upper limit of
6 Religare Insurance 2300
the sum insured to 60 lakh
Plan 3 months
60,00,000 (highest in health plans)
(for
floater)
18 – 65
This plan has also set a
years
benchmark. With a lower cap of
New India Janata 50,000 or
7 700 premium at just Rs 700, it is the
Assurance Mediclaim 3 months 75,000
most affordable health insurance
(for
plan
floater)
2- 65 A truly smart plan with flexible
Bharti years 50,000 to coverage and distinctive features
8 Smart Health 4300
AXA 5,00,000 such as inbuilt critical illness
3 months benefit, personal accident add-
 (for on at a nominal additional cost
floater) and 11 different value-added
benefits
21 – 65
years
The Happy 1,00,000 An affordable family floater
9 Oriental Family to 1300 with valuable add-ons and
3 months
Insurance Floater 10,00,000 discounts
(for
floater)
18 – 65
It was recognized as the product
my:health years
3,00,000 of the year in 2012 and for the
L&T Medisure
10 to 6000 right reasons. my:health takes
Insurance Prime 3 months
10,00,000 the best of all plans and serve it
Insurance (for
on one plate
floater)

1. Star Health Senior Citizen Red Carpet

Buying a health insurance becomes more and more costly when you need it the most, especially in
the old age. Star Health has really proved to be a star when it comes to serving a niche. With an
intention to serve the insurance needs of the old aged, the company launched Senior Citizen Red
Carpet. This plan not only extended the entry age from 69 to 75 years but also worked on making
the overall coverage and features more old-aged friendly

Standout Features:

 Created for people aged between 60-75 years

 Entry age extended to 75 years
 Pre-existing disease starts getting covered right from the first year (except those for which treatment
was received/recommended during the preceding 12 months from proposal date)
 10% discount can be availed on providing test reports of stress thallium, BP report, sugar, blood
urea and creatinine. The discount can also be availed if the insured submits a self declaration
mentioning that any surgery related to brain, heart or cancer has not been done in the pastLifelong
renewal (no age limit for renewal)
 No medical screening required
 Emergency ambulance charges covered
 Domiciliary treatment covered

Regular features:

 Covers In-patient hospitalization expenses, including ICU expenses, nursing expenses, surgeon's
fees, consultant's fees, anesthetist's and specialist's fees, cost of blood, oxygen, pacemaker, cost of
drugs and diagnostic tests
 Pre and post hospitalization expenses covered
 Day care procedures covered
 Tax benefits under section 80D

Exclusions:

 30 days initial waiting period, before which no coverage is given

 2 years waiting period for specific diseases like cataract, knee replacement surgery etc.
 1 year waiting period for specific diseases like hernia, piles etc.
 Treatments currently availed or availed during the preceding 12 months from proposal date
  Naturopathy treatment
 Cosmetic surgery
 Diagnosis tests

What’s not so good?

 Treatment can be availed at network hospitals only

 The insured has to make a 50% co-payment of the claim amount, for pre-existing diseases
 The insured has to make a 30% co-payment of the claim amount, for all other claims

2. Star Health Cardiac Care

It’s an irony that in India, a country with over 32 million cardiac patients, no insurer has come
forward to serve the insurance needs of cardiac patients, especially those who have undergone a
heart surgery. Star Health has finally introduced ‘Star Cardiac Care’ a plan that is especially
designed for cardiac patients. Innovative in the true sense, this plan is offered in two variants-
Silver and Gold.

Standout Features:

 Created for cardiac patients aged between 10-65 years

 Lifelong renewal (no age limit for renewal)
 Cardiac ailments get covered right after 3 months from the commencement of the policy
 All the insured persons will have to go through a medical screening
 Coverage for cardiac ailments requiring surgery /intervention
 Coverage for cardiac medical management (only for Gold plan)

Regular Features:

 In patient hospitalization expenses covered

 Pre and post hospitalization expenses covered
 30 days grace period
 Tax benefits under section 80D

Exclusions:

 30 days initial waiting period, before which no coverage is given

 4 years waiting period for pre-existing diseases (other than cardiac diseases)
 2 years waiting period for specific diseases like cataract, hernia, renal stones etc.
 90 days waiting period for cardiac related complications
 Hearing aid/visual care
 Alternative treatment
 Stem cell therapy
 Dental treatment
 Pregnancy related expenses

What’s not so good?

 It is available only as an individual plan, not as a floater plan

 If the insured person is above 60 years of age, he/she has to make a 10% co-payment of the claim
amount
3. Apollo Munich Optima Restore

Usually in a health plan, if sum assured is utilized before the end of the term, the insured is left
uncovered for the rest of the term. But Apollo Munich has taken a daring initiative by introducing
Optima Restore which restores the basic sum assured (if it is exhausted before the end of the term),
ready to be utilized afresh. This restoring of the sum assured is done without any rise in premium.

Standout Features:

 Post hospitalization coverage extends to 180 days (the usual period is 60 days)
 Domiciliary treatment covered
 Emergency ambulance covered
 Lifelong renewal (no age limit for renewal)
 Expenses for organ donor covered
 Restore benefit
 50% increase in sum assured for every claim free year (up to a maximum of 100%)
 7.5% discount when the tenure is 2 years

Regular Features:

 In-patient hospitalization expenses covered

 Pre and post hospitalization expenses covered
 Day care procedures covered
 Tax benefits under section 80D

Exclusions:

 30 days initial waiting period, before which no coverage is given

 4 years waiting period for pre-existing diseases
 2 years waiting period for specific diseases like cataract, hernia, renal stones etc.
 Treatment for HIV, genetic disorders and related diseases
 Treatment for internal and external congenital diseases
 Non allopathic treatments
 Cosmetic treatment
 Alcohol/drug abuse
 Self inflicted injuries
 Mental disorders
 Act of war, nuclear war or radiation

What’s not so good?

The sum assured will be restored only when the insured is hospitalized as a consequence of a new
illness (and not the same illness for which he/she got the sum assured exhausted)

4. ICICI Lombard Complete Health Insurance – iHealth Plan

A good health insurance either serves a niche well or offers a comprehensive coverage. ICICI
Lombard Complete Health Insurance – iHealth Plan is the perfect example of the latter. No wonder,
it was recognized as ‘Product of the Year’ in a survey conducted by Nielsen in 2013.

Standout Features:
  The widest floater that covers all your family members including self, spouse, dependent parents,
dependent children, brothers and sisters, under a single plan
 No upper cap on entry age
 Value added services
 Free health check-up (2 times a year)
 Online doctor chat
 Specialist consultation
 Dietician & nutritionist consultation
 Discount coupon book
 2 valuable add-ons at a nominal additional cost on the base premium
 Daily cash (Rs 500-1,000) + Convalescence benefits (a lump sum up to Rs 10,000, apart from the
sum assured, given to the insured to take care of household expenses post-hospitalization)
 Critical illness cover + Donor expenses (reimbursement up to Rs 50,000)
 No sub limits applicable on any major medical illness, medical procedures and joint replacement
surgery
 Lifelong renewal (no age limit for renewal)
 Medical test not required for individuals below 46 years of age

Regular Features:

 Covers In patient hospitalization expenses, including room charges, doctor/ surgeon's fee, medical
bills, etc.
 Pre and post hospitalization expenses covered
 15 days grace period
 Cashless hospitalization
 Increased sum insured on every claim free year
 Tax benefits under section 80D

You may like to Read: Deduction Under 80C

Exclusions:

 30 days initial waiting period, before which no coverage is given

 4 years waiting period for pre-existing diseases
 2 years waiting period for specific diseases like cataract, hernia, renal stones etc.
 Alcohol/drug abuse
 Dental care expenses
 Vision care/hearing aid
 AIDS
 Pregnancy related expenses
 Infertility and in-vitro fertilization
 Non-allopathic treatment
 Suicide attempts/self-inflicted injury

What’s not so good?

If an individual is above 46 years, he has to undergo medical tests to get insured. The tests would
be conducted at one of the ICICI Lombard designated diagnostic centers.

5. Max Bupa Heartbeat

Heartbeat is a family oriented health insurance plan with minimal exclusions and unique features
such as no lower or upper cap on the entry age, inbuilt maternity and new born benefits and many
more. It is available in three variants- Silver, Gold and Platinum.
Standout Features:

 Covers up to 13 relationships under one single policy

 Free health check-up every second year
 Direct claim settlement, without the intervention of TPA
 High deductible option to get a broader coverage at a nominal additional cost
 No claim-based extra loading
 Maternity benefit (after 2 year waiting period)
 Newborn baby cover
 Vaccination for children up to 12 years
 24x7 health advice helpline
 Relationship manager assigned for claim facilitation (for gold and platinum plan)
 Consultation and diagnostic tests (for gold and platinum plan)
 Outpatient benefits (for platinum plan)
 Lifelong renewal (no age limit for renewal)
 Organ donor’s expenses covered
 Organ transplant (if absolutely necessary)
 Domiciliary treatment
 Emergency ambulance expenses

Regular Features:

 Covers In-patient hospitalization expenses, including surgical operations, nursing care, doctor’s fees,
operation theatre charges, ICU charges, pathology, x-rays, diagnostic tests, prosthetic implants, etc.
 Pre & post hospitalization expenses covered
 Cashless hospitalization at network hospitals
 Day care expenses
 Increased sum insured on every claim free year
 Tax benefits under section 80D

Exclusions:

 90 days initial waiting period, before which no coverage is given (except in case of an accident or
emergency)
 4 years waiting period for pre-existing diseases
 2 years waiting period for specific diseases like cataract, hernia, renal stones etc.
 Addictive conditions and disorders, ageing and puberty, artificial life maintenance, circumcision,
dental/oral treatment, conflict and disaster, congenital conditions, convalescence and rehabilitation,
cosmetic surgery, drugs and dressings for out-patient or take-home use, eyesight, experimental
treatment, nature cure, wellness clinics, HIV, AIDS, obesity, hereditary conditions, genetic disorder,
sleep disorders, speech disorders
 Non-allopathic treatment, unrecognized physician or hospital
 Psychiatric and psychosomatic conditions
 Out-patient treatment
 Self-inflicted injuries
 Treatment received outside India
 Unlawful activity

What’s not so good?

 If the insured person is above 65 years of age, he/she has to make a 20% co-payment of the claim
amount
 The initial waiting period is 90 days from the commencement of the policy (usual initial waiting
period is 30 days)
6. Religare ‘Care’ - Health Insurance Policy

Religare Care is truly comprehensive and offers the best of health insurance. Religare Care has set a new benchmark for the health
insurance by extending the upper cap of sum insured to Rs 60 lakh.

Standout Features:

 Reinstatement of the sum insured if exhausted before the end of the policy term
 Free health check-ups every year
 No maximum-entry age limit
 No claim-based loading
 Ambulance expenses covered
 Organ donor’s medical expenses covered
 7.5% discount on 2 year policy terms and more
 Avail treatment anywhere in the world
 Cashless treatment & daily allowance
 The policy can be bought online with no paperwork required
 Lifelong renewable (no age limit for renewal)

Regular Features:

 In patient hospitalization expenses covered

 Day care expenses covered
 Pre and post hospitalization expenses covered
 Increased sum insured on every claim free year
 Tax benefits under section 80D

Exclusions:

 30 days initial waiting period, before which no coverage is given

 4 years waiting period for pre-existing diseases
 2 years waiting period for specific diseases like cataract, hernia, renal stones etc.
 Any pre-existing disease diagnosed within 48 months prior to issuance of the first policy
 Non-allopathic treatment
 Self-inflicted injury
 Alcohol/drug abuse
 Dental care
 Vision care/hearing aid
 AIDS
 Pregnancy related disorders
 Congenital disease
 Infertility and in-vitro fertilization

What’s not so good?

If the insured person is above 61 years of age, he/she has to make a 20% co-payment of the claim
amount.

7. New India Assurance Janata Mediclaim Policy

New India Assurance is the leading health insurer in India and the most trusted name in the health insurance sector. It offers many
health insurance plans out of which Janata Mediclaim Policy is the best, not only because it’s the most affordable health plan of all,
but also because of the amazing discounts it offers.

Standout Features:
  Ambulance charges covered
 Coverage is given to Ayurvedic/Homeopathic and Unani system of medicine
 Discount in premium for family cover
 Loyalty discount
 Good health discount.
 Cumulative bonus
 Cost of health check up

Regular Features:

 In-patient hospitalization expenses covered

 Pre and post hospitalization expenses covered
 Day-care treatment
 Tax benefits under section 80D

Exclusions:

 30 days initial waiting period, before which no coverage is provided (except in case of an accident
or emergency)
 4 years waiting period for pre-existing diseases
 2 years waiting period for specific diseases like cataract, hernia, renal stones etc.
 Dental treatment except arising out of an accident
 Debility and general run down conditions
 Sexually transmitted diseases and HIV (AIDS)
 Cosmetic surgery
 Vaccination and Inoculation
 Pregnancy and child birth
 War, Act of foreign enemy, ionizing radiation and nuclear weapon
 Treatment outside India
 Domiciliary treatment

What’s not so good?

There’s no flexibility in sum assured. There are just two slots of sum assured offered- Rs 50,000
and Rs 75,000.

8. Bharti AXA Smart Health

Bharti Axa Smart Health is an innovative insurance plan that seems to truly care about the healthcare needs of the insured. It offers a
gamut of unique and useful features such as inbuilt critical illness benefit, personal accident add-on at a nominal additional cost, 11
different value-added benefits and so forth.

Standout features:

 In-built critical illness cover including 20 critical illnesses - cancer, first heart attack, coronary artery
disease, coronary artery bypass surgery, heart valve surgery, surgery to aorta, stroke, kidney failure,
aplastic anemia, end stage lung disease, end-stage liver failure, coma, major burns, major organ /
bone marrow, transplantation, multiple sclerosis, fulminant hepatitis, motor neuron disease, primary
pulmonary hypertension, terminal, illness, bacterial meningitis
 Personal accident cover at a nominal additional cost
 Domiciliary hospitalization
 Dread disease recuperation
 Transplantation of organs
 Hospital cash allowance
 Ambulance charges covered
  Physiotherapy charges covered
 Recovery grant (to meet household expenses post hospitalization)
 Accompanying person’s expenses
 Parent accommodation as companion for child
 Out-patient dental emergency treatment (arising out of accident only)
 Out-patient emergency treatment for accidents
 Children’s education fund
 Transportation of mortal remains
 5% discount on the renewal premium for every claim-free year (up to a maximum of 25%)
 Costs of pre-policy health check-up
 Cost of regular health check-up (for every block of four claim-free years)

Regular Features:

 In-patient hospitalization expenses

 Pre and post-hospitalization expenses
 Day care treatment
 Tax benefits under section 80D

Exclusions:

 30 days initial waiting period, before which no coverage is given (except in case of an accident or
emergency)
 4 years waiting period for pre-existing diseases
 2 years waiting period for specific diseases like cataract, hernia, renal stones etc.
 Pregnancy related expenses
 Suicide, self-inflicted injury or illness, mental disorder
 Anxiety, stress or depression, use of alcohol or drugs
 Diseases such as HIV or AIDS
 Vision care/hearing aid
 Dental treatment
 Treatment by a family member or self- medication
 Treatment taken from a person not registered as medical practitioner
 Treatment that is not scientifically approved
 Any hospitalization expenses incurred outside India

What’s not so good?

Any person aged above 46 years and anyone with a history of pre-existing disease has to go
through a medical screening to get insured.

9. Oriental Insurance Happy Family Floater

This plan from Oriental Insurance is a family floater offered at a steal away price with valuable add-ons and discounts. Happy family
floater gives you a complete family cover for yourself, your spouse, children, parents and parents in law. It comes in two variants-
Silver and Gold.

Standout Features:

 A floater covering the proposer and his/her family under one sum insured
 The sum insured floats over all the beneficiaries under the policy.
 No medical screening up to the age of 60 years
 Personal accident add-on (including death and disability)
 Discount in overseas mediclaim policy premium when family floater policy is taken
 Discount in premium if TPA services are not opted
  Domiciliary hospitalization
 Organ donor’s expenses covered
 Midterm inclusion of members (for newlywed spouse)
 The insured gets to enjoy a discount of 5% on the premium on every claim free year (up to a
maximum of 20%)
 Daily hospital cash allowance (for gold plan)
 Attendant allowance (for gold plan)
 Life hardship survival benefit (for gold plan)

Regular Features:

 In-patient hospitalization expenses covering room, boarding and nursing expenses, ICU expenses,
surgeon, medical practitioner, consultants, specialists fees, anesthesia, blood, oxygen, operation
theatre charges, medicines and drugs, x-ray, dialysis, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, cost of
pacemaker, artificial limbs & similar expenses
 Tax benefits under section 80D

Exclusions:

 30 days initial waiting period, before which no coverage is given (except in case of an accident or
emergency)
 4 years waiting period for pre-existing diseases
 2 years waiting period for specific diseases like cataract, hernia, renal stones etc.
 Dental treatment except arising out of accident
 Cosmetic surgery
 Pregnancy and child birth

What’s not so good?

10% co-payment of the claim amount has to be made by the insured, irrespective of the age (for
silver plan). If the insured makes a claim, he/she has to bear a loading charge (5% of the renewal
premium). Policy can be renewed only till 65 years of age.

10. L&T my:health Medisure Prime Insurance

Wondering why such a good plan as my:health Medisure Prime from L&T Insurance took the last slot in our list? Well, it is because
this is one plan that takes every possible feature from all of the above plans and fits it in one single pack. It was voted product of the
year in a survey conducted by Nielsen in 2012.

Standout Features:

 Two-fold sum insured in the event of critical illness

 Maternity benefits (up to Rs 50,000)
 New born benefits
 Pre-existing conditions covered, after a probation period of 2 years
 Reinstatement of the sum insured in case it is exhausted before the end of the policy term
 Lump-sum recovery benefit given to take care of household expenses post-hospitalization
 Free health check up every alternate year
 Cashless settlement will be given within 6 hours
 Unlimited day care procedures
 Organ donor’s expenses covered
 Ambulance charges covered
 Hospital cash & expenses for accompanying person
 Concierge Service available on request in select cities
 Personal case manager assigned to facilitate the claim process
  24 X 7 claims assistance
 Lifelong renewal (no age limit for renewal)
 Instant Policy issuance without medical tests if you are below 45 years
 No sub-limits on any medical expenses incurred

Regular Features:

 In-patient hospitalization expenses covered

 Pre and post hospitalization expenses covered
 Increased sum insured on every claim free year
 Tax benefits as per section 80(D)

Exclusions:

 30 days initial waiting period, before which no coverage is given

 4 years waiting period for pre-existing diseases
 2 years waiting period for specific diseases like cataract, hernia, renal stones etc.
 Any domiciliary treatment
 Suicide/self-inflicted injury
 Mental disorder, anxiety, stress or depression
 Alcohol/drug abuse
 HIV/AIDS

Best Health Insurance Plans in India

3.3/5 (120 page reviews)

Health insurance is an imperative buy as it helps you to keep up with the ever soaring healthcare costs, thus securing a healthy
future for yourself and your family. But it is the most intricate insurance product of all. It comes with numerous riders and benefits
and hence there are so many variants to it.

To make the matter more confusing, there stands a long string of fine prints to meddle with. Besides, there are so many health
insurance companies to choose from. Buying a family health plan is no longer a simple affair.

But you can put a halt to your confusion because at PolicyBazaar we are passionate about getting
you the best of insurance. Take your pick from the 10 best health insurance plans in India. These
plans have been chosen over others as they stand superior on certain parameters such as eligibility,
uniqueness of features, coverage, affordability, limits and exclusions.

10 Best Health Insurance Plans in India

1. Star Health Senior Citizen Red Carpet

2. Star Health Cardiac Care
3. Apollo Munich Optima Restore
4. ICICI Lombard Complete Health Insurance
5. Max Bupa Heartbeat
6. Religare ‘Care’ - Health Insurance Policy
7. New India Assurance Janata Mediclaim Policy
8. Bharti AXA SmartHealth
9. Oriental Insurance Happy Family Floater
10. L&T my:health Medisure Prime Insurance
 Sum Premium
Entry
S.No. Company Plan Assured starts USP
Age
(Rs) from (Rs)
Senior 1,00,000
60 – 75
1 Star Health Citizen Red to 5000 Specially designed for old aged
years
Carpet 5,00,000
3,00,000
10 – 65
2 Star Health Cardiac Care to 18000 A boon for the cardiac patients
years
4,00,000
18 – 65
years
3,00,000
Apollo Optima Restores the exhausted sum
3 91 days to 5000
Munich Restore assured
to 21 15,00,000
years (for
floater)
6 years –
Complete
No upper
Health A comprehensive plan featuring
limit 3,00,000
ICICI Insurance a floater cover that can extend to
4 to 3300
Lombard all the family members
3 months 10,00,000
- iHealth including brothers and sisters
(for
Plan
floater)
A family oriented health
insurance with unique features
2,00,000 such as inbuilt maternity and
No age
5 Max Bupa Heartbeat to 3700 new-born benefits. The insured
limit
50,00,000 can get up to 13 family
members covered under one
single plan
5 years –
No upper
2,00,000 This plan set a new benchmark
Care Health limit
to by extending the upper limit of
6 Religare Insurance 2300
the sum insured to 60 lakh
Plan 3 months
60,00,000 (highest in health plans)
(for
floater)
18 – 65
This plan has also set a
years
benchmark. With a lower cap of
New India Janata 50,000 or
7 700 premium at just Rs 700, it is the
Assurance Mediclaim 3 months 75,000
most affordable health insurance
(for
plan
floater)
A truly smart plan with flexible
2- 65
coverage and distinctive features
years
such as inbuilt critical illness
Bharti 50,000 to
8 Smart Health 4300 benefit, personal accident add-
AXA 3 months 5,00,000
on at a nominal additional cost
(for
and 11 different value-added
floater)
benefits
 21 – 65
years
The Happy 1,00,000 An affordable family floater
9 Oriental Family to 1300 with valuable add-ons and
3 months
Insurance Floater 10,00,000 discounts
(for
floater)
18 – 65
It was recognized as the product
my:health years
3,00,000 of the year in 2012 and for the
L&T Medisure
10 to 6000 right reasons. my:health takes
Insurance Prime 3 months
10,00,000 the best of all plans and serve it
Insurance (for
on one plate
floater)

1. Star Health Senior Citizen Red Carpet

Buying a health insurance becomes more and more costly when you need it the most, especially in
the old age. Star Health has really proved to be a star when it comes to serving a niche. With an
intention to serve the insurance needs of the old aged, the company launched Senior Citizen Red
Carpet. This plan not only extended the entry age from 69 to 75 years but also worked on making
the overall coverage and features more old-aged friendly

Standout Features:

 Created for people aged between 60-75 years

 Entry age extended to 75 years
 Pre-existing disease starts getting covered right from the first year (except those for which treatment
was received/recommended during the preceding 12 months from proposal date)
 10% discount can be availed on providing test reports of stress thallium, BP report, sugar, blood
urea and creatinine. The discount can also be availed if the insured submits a self declaration
mentioning that any surgery related to brain, heart or cancer has not been done in the pastLifelong
renewal (no age limit for renewal)
 No medical screening required
 Emergency ambulance charges covered
 Domiciliary treatment covered

Regular features:

 Covers In-patient hospitalization expenses, including ICU expenses, nursing expenses, surgeon's
fees, consultant's fees, anesthetist's and specialist's fees, cost of blood, oxygen, pacemaker, cost of
drugs and diagnostic tests
 Pre and post hospitalization expenses covered
 Day care procedures covered
 Tax benefits under section 80D

Exclusions:

 30 days initial waiting period, before which no coverage is given

 2 years waiting period for specific diseases like cataract, knee replacement surgery etc.
 1 year waiting period for specific diseases like hernia, piles etc.
 Treatments currently availed or availed during the preceding 12 months from proposal date
 Naturopathy treatment
 Cosmetic surgery
 Diagnosis tests
What’s not so good?

 Treatment can be availed at network hospitals only

 The insured has to make a 50% co-payment of the claim amount, for pre-existing diseases
 The insured has to make a 30% co-payment of the claim amount, for all other claims

2. Star Health Cardiac Care

It’s an irony that in India, a country with over 32 million cardiac patients, no insurer has come
forward to serve the insurance needs of cardiac patients, especially those who have undergone a
heart surgery. Star Health has finally introduced ‘Star Cardiac Care’ a plan that is especially
designed for cardiac patients. Innovative in the true sense, this plan is offered in two variants-
Silver and Gold.

Standout Features:

 Created for cardiac patients aged between 10-65 years

 Lifelong renewal (no age limit for renewal)
 Cardiac ailments get covered right after 3 months from the commencement of the policy
 All the insured persons will have to go through a medical screening
 Coverage for cardiac ailments requiring surgery /intervention
 Coverage for cardiac medical management (only for Gold plan)

Regular Features:

 In patient hospitalization expenses covered

 Pre and post hospitalization expenses covered
 30 days grace period
 Tax benefits under section 80D

Exclusions:

 30 days initial waiting period, before which no coverage is given

 4 years waiting period for pre-existing diseases (other than cardiac diseases)
 2 years waiting period for specific diseases like cataract, hernia, renal stones etc.
 90 days waiting period for cardiac related complications
 Hearing aid/visual care
 Alternative treatment
 Stem cell therapy
 Dental treatment
 Pregnancy related expenses

What’s not so good?

 It is available only as an individual plan, not as a floater plan

 If the insured person is above 60 years of age, he/she has to make a 10% co-payment of the claim
amount

3. Apollo Munich Optima Restore

Usually in a health plan, if sum assured is utilized before the end of the term, the insured is left
uncovered for the rest of the term. But Apollo Munich has taken a daring initiative by introducing
Optima Restore which restores the basic sum assured (if it is exhausted before the end of the term),
ready to be utilized afresh. This restoring of the sum assured is done without any rise in premium.

Standout Features:

 Post hospitalization coverage extends to 180 days (the usual period is 60 days)
 Domiciliary treatment covered
 Emergency ambulance covered
 Lifelong renewal (no age limit for renewal)
 Expenses for organ donor covered
 Restore benefit
 50% increase in sum assured for every claim free year (up to a maximum of 100%)
 7.5% discount when the tenure is 2 years

Regular Features:

 In-patient hospitalization expenses covered

 Pre and post hospitalization expenses covered
 Day care procedures covered
 Tax benefits under section 80D

Exclusions:

 30 days initial waiting period, before which no coverage is given

 4 years waiting period for pre-existing diseases
 2 years waiting period for specific diseases like cataract, hernia, renal stones etc.
 Treatment for HIV, genetic disorders and related diseases
 Treatment for internal and external congenital diseases
 Non allopathic treatments
 Cosmetic treatment
 Alcohol/drug abuse
 Self inflicted injuries
 Mental disorders
 Act of war, nuclear war or radiation

What’s not so good?

The sum assured will be restored only when the insured is hospitalized as a consequence of a new
illness (and not the same illness for which he/she got the sum assured exhausted)

4. ICICI Lombard Complete Health Insurance – iHealth Plan

A good health insurance either serves a niche well or offers a comprehensive coverage. ICICI
Lombard Complete Health Insurance – iHealth Plan is the perfect example of the latter. No wonder,
it was recognized as ‘Product of the Year’ in a survey conducted by Nielsen in 2013.

Standout Features:

 The widest floater that covers all your family members including self, spouse, dependent parents,
dependent children, brothers and sisters, under a single plan
 No upper cap on entry age
 Value added services
 Free health check-up (2 times a year)
 Online doctor chat
  Specialist consultation
 Dietician & nutritionist consultation
 Discount coupon book
 2 valuable add-ons at a nominal additional cost on the base premium
 Daily cash (Rs 500-1,000) + Convalescence benefits (a lump sum up to Rs 10,000, apart from the
sum assured, given to the insured to take care of household expenses post-hospitalization)
 Critical illness cover + Donor expenses (reimbursement up to Rs 50,000)
 No sub limits applicable on any major medical illness, medical procedures and joint replacement
surgery
 Lifelong renewal (no age limit for renewal)
 Medical test not required for individuals below 46 years of age

Regular Features:

 Covers In patient hospitalization expenses, including room charges, doctor/ surgeon's fee, medical
bills, etc.
 Pre and post hospitalization expenses covered
 15 days grace period
 Cashless hospitalization
 Increased sum insured on every claim free year
 Tax benefits under section 80D

You may like to Read: Deduction Under 80C

Exclusions:

 30 days initial waiting period, before which no coverage is given

 4 years waiting period for pre-existing diseases
 2 years waiting period for specific diseases like cataract, hernia, renal stones etc.
 Alcohol/drug abuse
 Dental care expenses
 Vision care/hearing aid
 AIDS
 Pregnancy related expenses
 Infertility and in-vitro fertilization
 Non-allopathic treatment
 Suicide attempts/self-inflicted injury

What’s not so good?

If an individual is above 46 years, he has to undergo medical tests to get insured. The tests would
be conducted at one of the ICICI Lombard designated diagnostic centers.

5. Max Bupa Heartbeat

Heartbeat is a family oriented health insurance plan with minimal exclusions and unique features
such as no lower or upper cap on the entry age, inbuilt maternity and new born benefits and many
more. It is available in three variants- Silver, Gold and Platinum.

Standout Features:

 Covers up to 13 relationships under one single policy

 Free health check-up every second year
 Direct claim settlement, without the intervention of TPA
  High deductible option to get a broader coverage at a nominal additional cost
 No claim-based extra loading
 Maternity benefit (after 2 year waiting period)
 Newborn baby cover
 Vaccination for children up to 12 years
 24x7 health advice helpline
 Relationship manager assigned for claim facilitation (for gold and platinum plan)
 Consultation and diagnostic tests (for gold and platinum plan)
 Outpatient benefits (for platinum plan)
 Lifelong renewal (no age limit for renewal)
 Organ donor’s expenses covered
 Organ transplant (if absolutely necessary)
 Domiciliary treatment
 Emergency ambulance expenses

Regular Features:

 Covers In-patient hospitalization expenses, including surgical operations, nursing care, doctor’s fees,
operation theatre charges, ICU charges, pathology, x-rays, diagnostic tests, prosthetic implants, etc.
 Pre & post hospitalization expenses covered
 Cashless hospitalization at network hospitals
 Day care expenses
 Increased sum insured on every claim free year
 Tax benefits under section 80D

Exclusions:

 90 days initial waiting period, before which no coverage is given (except in case of an accident or
emergency)
 4 years waiting period for pre-existing diseases
 2 years waiting period for specific diseases like cataract, hernia, renal stones etc.
 Addictive conditions and disorders, ageing and puberty, artificial life maintenance, circumcision,
dental/oral treatment, conflict and disaster, congenital conditions, convalescence and rehabilitation,
cosmetic surgery, drugs and dressings for out-patient or take-home use, eyesight, experimental
treatment, nature cure, wellness clinics, HIV, AIDS, obesity, hereditary conditions, genetic disorder,
sleep disorders, speech disorders
 Non-allopathic treatment, unrecognized physician or hospital
 Psychiatric and psychosomatic conditions
 Out-patient treatment
 Self-inflicted injuries
 Treatment received outside India
 Unlawful activity

What’s not so good?

 If the insured person is above 65 years of age, he/she has to make a 20% co-payment of the claim
amount
 The initial waiting period is 90 days from the commencement of the policy (usual initial waiting
period is 30 days)

6. Religare ‘Care’ - Health Insurance Policy

Religare Care is truly comprehensive and offers the best of health insurance. Religare Care has set a new benchmark for the health
insurance by extending the upper cap of sum insured to Rs 60 lakh.
Standout Features:

 Reinstatement of the sum insured if exhausted before the end of the policy term
 Free health check-ups every year
 No maximum-entry age limit
 No claim-based loading
 Ambulance expenses covered
 Organ donor’s medical expenses covered
 7.5% discount on 2 year policy terms and more
 Avail treatment anywhere in the world
 Cashless treatment & daily allowance
 The policy can be bought online with no paperwork required
 Lifelong renewable (no age limit for renewal)

Regular Features:

 In patient hospitalization expenses covered

 Day care expenses covered
 Pre and post hospitalization expenses covered
 Increased sum insured on every claim free year
 Tax benefits under section 80D

Exclusions:

 30 days initial waiting period, before which no coverage is given

 4 years waiting period for pre-existing diseases
 2 years waiting period for specific diseases like cataract, hernia, renal stones etc.
 Any pre-existing disease diagnosed within 48 months prior to issuance of the first policy
 Non-allopathic treatment
 Self-inflicted injury
 Alcohol/drug abuse
 Dental care
 Vision care/hearing aid
 AIDS
 Pregnancy related disorders
 Congenital disease
 Infertility and in-vitro fertilization

What’s not so good?

If the insured person is above 61 years of age, he/she has to make a 20% co-payment of the claim
amount.

7. New India Assurance Janata Mediclaim Policy

New India Assurance is the leading health insurer in India and the most trusted name in the health insurance sector. It offers many
health insurance plans out of which Janata Mediclaim Policy is the best, not only because it’s the most affordable health plan of all,
but also because of the amazing discounts it offers.

Standout Features:

 Ambulance charges covered

 Coverage is given to Ayurvedic/Homeopathic and Unani system of medicine
 Discount in premium for family cover
 Loyalty discount
  Good health discount.
 Cumulative bonus
 Cost of health check up

Regular Features:

 In-patient hospitalization expenses covered

 Pre and post hospitalization expenses covered
 Day-care treatment
 Tax benefits under section 80D

Exclusions:

 30 days initial waiting period, before which no coverage is provided (except in case of an accident
or emergency)
 4 years waiting period for pre-existing diseases
 2 years waiting period for specific diseases like cataract, hernia, renal stones etc.
 Dental treatment except arising out of an accident
 Debility and general run down conditions
 Sexually transmitted diseases and HIV (AIDS)
 Cosmetic surgery
 Vaccination and Inoculation
 Pregnancy and child birth
 War, Act of foreign enemy, ionizing radiation and nuclear weapon
 Treatment outside India
 Domiciliary treatment

What’s not so good?

There’s no flexibility in sum assured. There are just two slots of sum assured offered- Rs 50,000
and Rs 75,000.

8. Bharti AXA Smart Health

Bharti Axa Smart Health is an innovative insurance plan that seems to truly care about the healthcare needs of the insured. It offers a
gamut of unique and useful features such as inbuilt critical illness benefit, personal accident add-on at a nominal additional cost, 11
different value-added benefits and so forth.

Standout features:

 In-built critical illness cover including 20 critical illnesses - cancer, first heart attack, coronary artery
disease, coronary artery bypass surgery, heart valve surgery, surgery to aorta, stroke, kidney failure,
aplastic anemia, end stage lung disease, end-stage liver failure, coma, major burns, major organ /
bone marrow, transplantation, multiple sclerosis, fulminant hepatitis, motor neuron disease, primary
pulmonary hypertension, terminal, illness, bacterial meningitis
 Personal accident cover at a nominal additional cost
 Domiciliary hospitalization
 Dread disease recuperation
 Transplantation of organs
 Hospital cash allowance
 Ambulance charges covered
 Physiotherapy charges covered
 Recovery grant (to meet household expenses post hospitalization)
 Accompanying person’s expenses
 Parent accommodation as companion for child
  Out-patient dental emergency treatment (arising out of accident only)
 Out-patient emergency treatment for accidents
 Children’s education fund
 Transportation of mortal remains
 5% discount on the renewal premium for every claim-free year (up to a maximum of 25%)
 Costs of pre-policy health check-up
 Cost of regular health check-up (for every block of four claim-free years)

Regular Features:

 In-patient hospitalization expenses

 Pre and post-hospitalization expenses
 Day care treatment
 Tax benefits under section 80D

Exclusions:

 30 days initial waiting period, before which no coverage is given (except in case of an accident or
emergency)
 4 years waiting period for pre-existing diseases
 2 years waiting period for specific diseases like cataract, hernia, renal stones etc.
 Pregnancy related expenses
 Suicide, self-inflicted injury or illness, mental disorder
 Anxiety, stress or depression, use of alcohol or drugs
 Diseases such as HIV or AIDS
 Vision care/hearing aid
 Dental treatment
 Treatment by a family member or self- medication
 Treatment taken from a person not registered as medical practitioner
 Treatment that is not scientifically approved
 Any hospitalization expenses incurred outside India

What’s not so good?

Any person aged above 46 years and anyone with a history of pre-existing disease has to go
through a medical screening to get insured.

9. Oriental Insurance Happy Family Floater

This plan from Oriental Insurance is a family floater offered at a steal away price with valuable add-ons and discounts. Happy family
floater gives you a complete family cover for yourself, your spouse, children, parents and parents in law. It comes in two variants-
Silver and Gold.

Standout Features:

 A floater covering the proposer and his/her family under one sum insured
 The sum insured floats over all the beneficiaries under the policy.
 No medical screening up to the age of 60 years
 Personal accident add-on (including death and disability)
 Discount in overseas mediclaim policy premium when family floater policy is taken
 Discount in premium if TPA services are not opted
 Domiciliary hospitalization
 Organ donor’s expenses covered
 Midterm inclusion of members (for newlywed spouse)
  The insured gets to enjoy a discount of 5% on the premium on every claim free year (up to a
maximum of 20%)
 Daily hospital cash allowance (for gold plan)
 Attendant allowance (for gold plan)
 Life hardship survival benefit (for gold plan)

Regular Features:

 In-patient hospitalization expenses covering room, boarding and nursing expenses, ICU expenses,
surgeon, medical practitioner, consultants, specialists fees, anesthesia, blood, oxygen, operation
theatre charges, medicines and drugs, x-ray, dialysis, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, cost of
pacemaker, artificial limbs & similar expenses
 Tax benefits under section 80D

Exclusions:

 30 days initial waiting period, before which no coverage is given (except in case of an accident or
emergency)
 4 years waiting period for pre-existing diseases
 2 years waiting period for specific diseases like cataract, hernia, renal stones etc.
 Dental treatment except arising out of accident
 Cosmetic surgery
 Pregnancy and child birth

What’s not so good?

10% co-payment of the claim amount has to be made by the insured, irrespective of the age (for
silver plan). If the insured makes a claim, he/she has to bear a loading charge (5% of the renewal
premium). Policy can be renewed only till 65 years of age.

10. L&T my:health Medisure Prime Insurance

Wondering why such a good plan as my:health Medisure Prime from L&T Insurance took the last slot in our list? Well, it is because
this is one plan that takes every possible feature from all of the above plans and fits it in one single pack. It was voted product of the
year in a survey conducted by Nielsen in 2012.

Standout Features:

 Two-fold sum insured in the event of critical illness

 Maternity benefits (up to Rs 50,000)
 New born benefits
 Pre-existing conditions covered, after a probation period of 2 years
 Reinstatement of the sum insured in case it is exhausted before the end of the policy term
 Lump-sum recovery benefit given to take care of household expenses post-hospitalization
 Free health check up every alternate year
 Cashless settlement will be given within 6 hours
 Unlimited day care procedures
 Organ donor’s expenses covered
 Ambulance charges covered
 Hospital cash & expenses for accompanying person
 Concierge Service available on request in select cities
 Personal case manager assigned to facilitate the claim process
 24 X 7 claims assistance
 Lifelong renewal (no age limit for renewal)
 Instant Policy issuance without medical tests if you are below 45 years
  No sub-limits on any medical expenses incurred

Regular Features:

 In-patient hospitalization expenses covered

 Pre and post hospitalization expenses covered
 Increased sum insured on every claim free year
 Tax benefits as per section 80(D)

Exclusions:

 30 days initial waiting period, before which no coverage is given

 4 years waiting period for pre-existing diseases
 2 years waiting period for specific diseases like cataract, hernia, renal stones etc.
 Any domiciliary treatment
 Suicide/self-inflicted injury
 Mental disorder, anxiety, stress or depression
 Alcohol/drug abuse
 HIV/AIDS