Nov 05, 2001 06:18 PM
25383 Views
(Updated Nov 05, 2001 06:23 PM)
'MEDICLAIM POLICY' Eh! I am all right, fit n fine, why should I bother about something like mediclaim!
'I can take care of such contingencies'
These were some of the responses I got from people when I talked with them regarding Mediclaim policy.
ALAS!
The ground realities are very different. First of all, let me try and explain what is a mediclaim policy. A mediclaim policy is an insurance policy, wherein the policy holder is entitled to compensation of all medical expenditure made.
The disease may range from simple malaria to cardiac arrest. All that is needed is 24 hours hospitalization, few documentation of medical bills and informing the closest GIC office about the illness. That's it. And you may be rest assured for the medical bills compensation.
However, not all diseases are covered by the policy in the first year. Some diseases like cataract etc. which take more than one year to develop are covered only after the first year. From second year onwards, 100% diseases are covered(provided the policy holder does not have that disease at the time of getting the policy).
A medical declaration is needed for people above age of 35 years or policy amount greater than 3 lakhs. Minimum sum that can be insured is Rs. 15, 000 and the premium is very less. About Rs. 185 for one year, i.e. just 50 paisa per day! Even suppose you deposit this premium for 10 years and no policy holder doesn't falls ill, he has lost Rs 1850, however God forbid, but if some illness hits him he is insured for medical reimbursement upto Rs 15, 000.
This policy is moreso important for professionals in private jobs, businessmen etc, because they are not covered under any health scheme unlike most of the Govt. employees.
Only about 1% of Indian population has mediclaim insurance. Blame it to ignorance of people or very less premium, which makes it unattractive for the agents to go to people, through Mouth Shut it is my appeal to all those who read this article to get a mediclaim policy for better and safe future.
