The most important reason why you’d buy a Health Insurance plan is the coverage offered by it. Ultimately, what good is health insurance if does not provide adequate cover during medical emergencies?

Check the coverage offered by the plan as the first step while comparing Health Insurance plans. While most policies offer the same basic coverage, there are variations in terms of absolute limits. It is better to avoid a policy that offers a multitude of features most of which are redundant.  

Your Health Insurance plan may offer a host of benefits such as ambulance charges, hospital room rent etc. While there is a broader sum insured, there are individual sub limits under each of the offerings.

To avoid surprises, you should pay special attention to the sublimits. This may save you a lot of disappointment when you make a claim against your policy.

Also referred to as the waiting period, this is the period from the date of purchase wherein certain diseases are not covered. Different policies have a different waiting periods for different sets of diseases.

Thus, it is always commendable to check the waiting period of a particular health insurance policy before going on to buy the same. 

Arguably the best feature that Health Insurance plans offer, Cashless Claims make it possible to avail medical treatment virtually free. That may be a bit of an exaggeration, but what we mean is that this marvel does away with the need for liquid cash for your treatment.

This facility is offered by the insurer at a number of affiliated hospitals. Also called Network Hospitals, having one of these in the immediate vicinity of where you live, is something you should aim for.

If you want to buy a comprehensive cover for your family, keep a close eye on this one. The age of entry for family members - children, parents or parents-in-law - should be clearly defined. You must also make sure to check for the upper age limits for your children.

“Sorry! We don’t cover this ailment”. As disappointing as it sounds, there is a real possibility that you may not get coverage during hospitalization if the condition you’ve been diagnosed with, is excluded under the terms of the policy.

Our advice: Go through the fine print carefully and be aware of the medical conditions that are not covered to avoid surprises.

Like your parathas with a dollop of extra ghee? Well, Add-on benefits works in a similar way. They enhance the benefits your standard Health Insurance cover offers. Just like cufflinks and pocket square give your well-tailored suit added character, add-ons increase the scope, coverage and benefits of your health insurance plan.

As average life spans increase, you should opt for Health Insurance plans with lifelong renewal facility. This can give you ongoing coverage against a variety of illnesses and help you retain the much needed medical cover for life.

Ultimately, affordability is a major consideration when it comes to Health Insurance premiums.  You obviously do not want to pay a ton for your health insurance cover, when you could have got better options at a cheaper rate.

The amount that you ought to be paying for your health insurance plan should be justifiable and appropriate relative to the benefits it has to offer.