If you’re looking forward to keying into the international health insurance in India as a foreigner, you’re doing yourself a huge favor and that of your family.
This is because health insurance helps provide long-term medical coverage, which reduces your burden in cases of medical emergencies or accidents.
India, being one of the most popular and visited countries across the world for ex-pats and families, you’d want to get everything right while still living in this nation and one of which is your health insurance.
Interestingly, the country has made a giant and enviable stride in improving the quality of their public healthcare, so you’ll be getting good medical attention in any of the hospitals in India.
According to World Health Organization, India is one of the countries with the most efficient healthcare systems in the world. This is why many expats and those interested in migrating choose India as one of their favorite destinations.
The nation also has a system of universal healthcare, which means the provision of adequate healthcare is one of the responsibilities of the state government. They take care of the nutrition, wellbeing, and residents’ public health.
Unlike in many other countries around the world, many citizens use government-run facilities from basic to abysmal.
Often, drugs that are supposed to be available at all times might be absent at the hospitals. This makes healthcare provision in the country a subject of concern for any person moving to the country due to work or other reasons (s).
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Overview of Health System in India
India operates a universal healthcare system, just like many countries around the world. One of the things with the nation’s constitution is that each state is mandated to provide public health and improve the well-being of the people living in the country.
India’s healthcare system embraces a multitude of services offered to both individuals and communities.
The aim is always to promote, maintain and monitor health at all levels. This is because the Indian Government has prioritized health in its series of transformational agendas.
Being administered by the states, each of these states must ensure the provision of quality healthcare services to the people.
With regards to those in the rural areas of the country, the national Government launched the National Rural Health Mission as far back as 2005 to bridge the widening gap of proper healthcare access in remote areas.
What’s healthcare provision like in public and private healthcare facilities in India?
The healthcare coverage in India has some discrepancies in terms of quality and amount. The healthcare between states and, most significantly, the rural areas can be very different, which means many of the rural dwellers tend to have more shortage of coverage compared to their urban counterparts.
The state government is responsible for the provision of quality healthcare services and health education to the citizens.
On the flip side, the central Government takes care of the administrative and technical services involved in promoting healthcare access to the people.
Needless to say, the lack of adequate coverage of healthcare provision for many citizens makes them seek an alternative with private healthcare providers.
The truth is that many rural dwellers cannot afford private healthcare facilities because it’s always expensive. But with insurance, many less privileged people can access these healthcare services today.
How to choose a good health insurance company in India
There are a couple of things you’ve got to consider before choosing an insurance company. In India, each of these companies has unique features that set it apart from the others, which you need to pay attention to.
Based on your own definition of good insurance, you should choose a company that meets the requirements and health goals you’re looking forward to.
Here are some of the things you should consider when finally choosing a good health insurance company for your health needs:
Cashless Network Hospital
One of the few things you’ve got to consider when choosing an insurance company is the availability of a cash network.
You want to be sure the hospitals the insurers partnered with have got a reasonable number of hospitals where cashless claims solutions are available.
The strength of the cashless network is paramount in that you can easily initiate a cashless claim in a nearby facility that is closer to your home. This removes the stress of going tens of miles away because you want to access healthcare services.
Availability of health insurance coverage
Availability of Health Insurance different insurance coverage is one of the things you’ll have to consider when choosing insurance.
Some insurance companies offer people generic health insurance plans, while others offer specific insurance plans, including family health insurance and individual health insurance.
You also need to know those insurance companies in India target some groups, such as women, children, and companies that go after only the Indians. This means you need to do your due diligence before opting for any of these companies.
Customer support
You don’t want to deal with an insurance company with a bad reputation for customer service. Do a proper and accurate background check on the company you’re opting for to see if they have very big in assisting their customers with their pain points.
You also want to ensure the insurance company you’re going to choose is readily available 24/7 to give answers to your queries.
This is because many of these companies can be very frustrating, and you wouldn’t want to experience such disappointment when you need your insurance company the most.
Business Volume
You also want to make sure you’re contracting an insurance company with a higher business volume.
Business volume means the number of policies and premiums collected by an insurance company. The higher the number and the more the market share.
You should always choose an insurance contractor with a higher business volume than those with a lower business volume.
Reviews and Ratings
All thanks to the advent and advancement of technology that has made it possible to have a quick peep into the integrity and services of any enterprise online.
This is no different with insurance companies around, as well as past customers who have written a ton of reviews about their general services online.
So as a smart prospect, you want to scour online about the insurance company you’re targeting to see what people are saying about their overall services.
Similarly, you also want to look at the rating of the company you’d like to contract to cover your medical fees in case of health challenges.
Claim Settlement Ratio
Another important parameter you must check before making a final decision on the insurance company for you and your family is the claim settlement ratio of the intended company.
What’s the number of claims received by the company annually, and how many does it settle on average?
This will give you a clear indication of what the insurance company is all about and what treatment you should expect from the institution.
Awards and Accolades
Awards and accolades are a sign something remarkable has been done, and peoples’ lives are impacted.
This is the same with insurance companies as well. Insurance companies have packed and continue to pack many awards and accolades to their names, which simply means you’re safe dealing with such an insurance company.
On the flip side, you tend to see some companies with few or no awards and accolades. This is a red signal, especially if these companies have been in existence for a period of 10 years and above. You sure don’t want to end up dealing with such a company.
International health insurance companies in India
See below for the top international health insurance companies in India;
- Manipal Cigna Health Insurance
- HDFC ERGO General Insurance
- Reliance General Insurance
- Future Generali General Insurance
Concluding Remarks about the International Health Insurance in India
India cannot be placed side-by-side with countries, including the UK and US, regarding free access and publicly funded health doesn’t mean you can’t have proper and decent access to healthcare providers within the country as a foreigner.
All just need to do is to put in place comprehensive health insurance coverage to enjoy health benefits in India.
There are a couple of these international health insurance companies in India, so you have to follow the tips given in this piece and choose insurance that best suits what you and your family need.
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Chibueze Uchegbu is a certified medical physiologist with a great passion for healthy living.