6 Key Points to Note While Buying Insurance for The Elderly

Updated on July 28, 2020

Senior Health Care Options - Insurance, Medicare & Elderly Care

It is important to buy health insurance for the elderly, especially aging parents. However, what are some of the things that you should consider? As parents play a vital part in our lives, as they age, we should also care for them.  Medicare is the best way to have assurance and satisfaction about their health insurance. Since health issues and complications are inevitable as parents grow old, and now we are older and mature, it is our duty and one way to give back. So how do you select a policy that comes in handy for your elderly parents? In this article are key points to note while buying insurance for the elderly. 

1. Coverage of preexistence diseases 

The elderly have preexistence diseases that they get a long way as they age. Hence as you consider getting the Medicare supplement plans 2021, you need to keep in mind if they cover the medical expenses of the preexisting diseases. This is because most insurance companies avoid covering these diseases due to the high risk of covering these senior citizens. This is a disadvantage in the long run for your parent, and to you who pays for the cover. Plus, most of the health insurance policies that cover these diseases, most of them have a long waiting period or do not cover in full. Therefore, it is important to keep in mind as you scout for one that you choose one that has a minimum waiting period and covers all the preexisting diseases that your parent has in full to be beneficial to serving the purpose that you need it for. 

2. Easy settlement claim 

Health Insurance: Claim settlement process of health insurance ...

One of the main reasons for buying insurance for the elderly is availing claim. For this reason, it is important to consider how easy it is to claim settlement. This is vital, as going through multiple layers of processes for most aging parents is challenging for them. Therefore, it is best as you look for an insurer to work with, choose one that has a simple settlement procedure. For instance, one with no third party involvement and is just a call away. In this way, it makes the process seamless and simple for you. Check through online reviews to learn more about the company’s ease of settlement claim from other customers, and it will help you choose the best one. 

3. The sum assured 

Do you know the exact difference between the sum assured and the ...

Keep in mind the sum assured that the company provides as you buy a health insurance policy from them. Especially now, with the emerging lifestyle diseases and new age treatments that cause the cost of treatment to grow higher every day. Therefore, it is important to go for a policy that guarantees a maximum cover. However, the maximum sum assured depends on one’s need and affordable amounts of payments you can get coverage for the elderly. Unlike before when it was limiting and restricting to most people. This comes in handy too, in case of more treatment procedures that you need assurance for as well. 

4. Cashless hospitalization 

Does the cover you want to get for your elderly parents enable cashless hospitalization with a maximum network of hospitals? If yes, this is a good cover to consider as it is not inconveniencing when you need urgent treatment. Plus, if a cover forces you to pay your savings on treatment, it digs a hole in your pocket, and the insurance is not as effective. Additionally, if the senior citizen is caring for their health, it becomes a challenge for them as they do not have a steady income that they can rely on for the cover. Therefore, one that enables cashless hospitalization and covers a network of many hospitals is a plan one should consider as they avail a policy for their parents. Optionally, it is best to consider if the insurer covers reimbursement adding on to the cashless option if you prefer a hospital that is not within the insurer’s network. As in this way, you can get the treatment you need with no worry about the costs that you will incur. 

5. The free look period 

Best health insurance plans: Compare best policies in India ...

Among the many aspects that you should keep in mind, the free look period should be a part of them. Some insurance companies have a look period of 10 days, and others have one of up to 2 weeks. The more the period, the better for you. It will help you be familiar with the term and conditions of the cover that you want for your parents. Plus, to understand a free look period better. It is the same period with the return policy of any other e-commerce portal that allows you to return a product if it does not help with what you need it for a certain period. Thus, if you feel the policy you took does not favor the needs of your parent with this period, you can return the policy, and you will incur no costs. So, avail a policy from your insurer that has this service.

6. Health checkup and portability 

Consider if you need a mandatory health checkup for your parent. Keeping this in mind is important as some policies need one to have a mandatory health checkup and you have to hassle through taking your elderly parents to a medical center for these tests. As for portability, the policy you pick should be easy to change its policy to a different insurer after a while. In most covers, they are portable and are between 45 days to 3 months before the day of renewal of the current policy. 

To sum up, keep in mind the above points as you consider the best health insurance for your aging parents or relatives. Not only is it beneficial for your parents, but it gives you assurance and peace that their health is covered. Get one that is in line with their health needs and concerns and within your budget as well. 

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