Domiciliary Hospitalization

One cannot deny the fact that a health insurance policy is crucial for living a good life. Not only does it provide coverage for an emergency medical situation, but also ensures peace of mind, thanks to the knowledge of a plan B being there to back you up; and all of it without having to burn a hole in your wallet. Having said that, selecting a suitable health insurance policy among myriad health insurance plans can be baffling. The various jargons that form a part of the policy document often complicate the buying process for a layman. Thus, before you shortlist any insurance policy, it is best to understand the terminologies helping you drive a clear understanding of the insurance product you buy. This article explains one such term in health insurance plans, which is the domiciliary hospitalization cover.

Meaning of Domiciliary Hospitalization

Domiciliary hospitalization is a feature of your insurance policy that allows you to avail treatment at home due to the conditions that limit the treatment from being sought at a medical facility. This treatment can be provided at home in a situation where the illness is severe and there is a physical limitation pertaining to the patient’s mobility, or in situations where there are no hospital beds available. Further, the treatments that form a part of domiciliary treatment are specific in nature and are clearly laid down in your insurance policy. However, you must keep in mind that there is a limitation in coverage where alternative branches of medicine like Ayurveda and Homeopathy are excluded from the cover.

Purpose of domiciliary hospitalization facility

Availing home-bound treatment is not an ordinary situation, and hence, not all health insurance plans include a domiciliary cover. Only limited insurance companies offer such a facility, and Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Company is one of them. Further, since such a domiciliary cover is an added benefit to your base health insurance coverage, it does come at an additional cost. When choosing to opt for one, it is important to remember that this facility helps seek treatment at home when there are problems pertaining to mobility or lack of hospital beds.

Inclusions under domiciliary hospitalization cover

The coverage of a domiciliary hospital cover is specific to an insurance company, but generally, treatments that last longer than 72 hours are included under its scope. An individual who cannot be shifted to a medical facility due to conditions like paralysis or fractures can avail of this feature, as can those individuals who cannot find a hospital bed with adequate treatment facilities. *Standard T&C Apply

Exclusions under domiciliary hospitalization cover

While a minimum treatment duration of 72 hours is required, as discussed above, any treatment that is shorter than such a time frame is excluded from its coverage. In addition, pre/post-treatment costs are excluded from the domiciliary cover. As described, the domiciliary cover is applicable for certain treatments only; ailments like epilepsy, hypertension, asthma, chronic nephritis, bronchitis, diabetes mellitus and insipidus, diarrhoea, arthritis, cold and influenza, psychiatric disorders, pharyngitis, gout, rheumatism, tonsillitis, and certain conditions pertaining to the upper respiratory tract are not included.  

Things to remember when buying a domiciliary cover

Since the policy covers at-home treatment, it works best in conjunction with a family health insurance cover and a senior citizen plan. Elderly individuals that often cannot be relocated to a hospital can take advantage of this facility if the conditions laid by your insurance company are met. Lastly, do not forget that health insurance by itself is a necessity in modern life, and domiciliary coverage adds immense value to it. Make sure to read through the policy documents carefully and compare health insurance plans to make an informed decision when buying one.  Insurance is the subject matter of solicitation. For more details on benefits, exclusions, limitations, terms and conditions, please read the sales brochure/policy wording carefully before concluding a sale.