Diabetes and high blood pressure (BP) are two of the most prevalent chronic conditions in India. According to recent statistics, 11% of the population has diabetes and 36% suffers from hypertension. These numbers continue to rise due to changing lifestyles, increased stress, and a lack of physical activity. With such widespread health concerns, it’s no surprise that more people are seeking health insurance coverage that includes these conditions. However, many insurance plans impose a waiting period of 2 to 3 years before covering pre-existing conditions like BP and diabetes, making it difficult for those who need immediate financial protection.
Fortunately, some health insurance plans now offer coverage for diabetes and BP from day one, either as in-built features or through add-ons (riders). In this article, we will discuss four such health insurance plans available in India that provide immediate coverage for diabetes and BP. These plans include:
- Niva Bupa Aspire Plan
- Aditya Birla Activ One Max Plan
- ICICI Lombard Elevate Plan
- HDFC Ergo Energy Plan
We will compare these plans on the basis of their features, inclusions, waiting period, and premium costs.
Also see: ICICI Lombard Elevate VS Star Health Superstar Plan
1. Niva Bupa Aspire Plan
The Niva Bupa Aspire Plan is designed to provide comprehensive health coverage with a range of benefits, including day-one coverage for diabetes and BP. It offers several unique features that make it an attractive option for those with pre-existing conditions.
Key Features
- Lock the Clock Benefit: This feature ensures that your premium will not increase based on your age until you make a claim, although it may increase due to inflation.
- Booster+ Benefit: Unutilized sum assured can be carried forward to the next policy year, up to a maximum of 10 times your sum assured.
- Cash Back: If no claims are made during the policy year, a cashback amount is transferred to your wallet.
- Disease Management Rider: This add-on covers diabetes and BP from day one.
Room Rent Eligibility
You can opt for any room without any restrictions on room rent.
Entry Age
The plan is available to adults between the ages of 18 and 65 years, and children from 91 days to 30 years.
Sum Insured
The sum insured ranges from ₹3 lakh to ₹1 crore.
Pre and Post Hospitalization
Pre-hospitalization expenses are covered for 60 days, and post-hospitalization expenses are covered for 180 days.
Bonus
With the Booster+ option, depending on your age, your sum assured can increase by up to 5x, 3x, or 2x in various age groups.
Refill Benefit
The plan offers unlimited refill benefits, meaning that your sum assured will be refilled an unlimited number of times during the year in case of exhaustion due to claims.
Premium
For a 35-year-old individual with a sum insured of ₹10 lakh, the premium is ₹18,360, including the Disease Management Rider.
2. Aditya Birla Activ One Max Plan
The Aditya Birla Activ One Max Plan is another excellent option for those looking for immediate coverage for diabetes and BP. It comes with a range of benefits, including no maximum entry age and a super credit option that allows policyholders to multiply their sum assured over time.
Key Features
- No Maximum Entry Age: There is no age limit for entering the plan, which makes it suitable for individuals at any stage of life.
- Super Credit Option: This feature allows your sum assured to grow up to 500% over time.
- Chronic Care Rider: Covers diabetes and BP from day one, along with other conditions like asthma, cholesterol, and obesity.
Room Rent Eligibility
You can choose any room with no restrictions on room rent.
Entry Age
There is no maximum entry age, making it accessible to seniors as well. The minimum entry age is 18 years.
Sum Insured
The sum insured ranges from ₹5 lakh to ₹6 crore.
Pre and Post Hospitalization
Pre-hospitalization expenses are covered for 90 days, and post-hospitalization expenses for 180 days.
Bonus
The plan offers 100% of the sum assured as a bonus, which can go up to 500% in the case of continued coverage without claims.
Refill Benefit
It offers unlimited refill benefits, meaning the sum assured is restored an unlimited number of times during the policy year.
Premium
For a 35-year-old individual, the premium for a ₹10 lakh sum insured is ₹13,021, including the Chronic Care Rider.
3. ICICI Lombard Elevate Plan
The ICICI Lombard Elevate Plan is a robust health insurance plan offering unlimited sum assured options and the flexibility to cover diabetes and BP from day one through a Jump Start Rider. The plan is particularly useful for individuals seeking lifelong health coverage.
Key Features
- Unlimited Sum Assured Option: Policyholders can choose an unlimited sum assured, which is ideal for those wanting maximum coverage.
- Jump Start Benefit: Covers pre-existing conditions like BP and diabetes from day one through a rider.
- Power Booster: Increases the sum assured every year with no upper limit.
Room Rent Eligibility
The plan allows a single private AC room. You can upgrade or downgrade room categories using a room modifier add-on.
Entry Age
The minimum entry age is 18 years, and the maximum entry age is an impressive 125 years.
Sum Insured
The sum insured ranges from ₹5 lakh to an unlimited amount.
Pre and Post Hospitalization
Pre-hospitalization expenses are covered for 90 days, and post-hospitalization expenses for 180 days.
Bonus
The plan offers a 20% no-claim bonus, which can go up to 100%, and with the Power Booster, it can increase indefinitely.
Refill Benefit
There is an unlimited reset benefit, allowing multiple resets of the sum insured during the year.
Premium
For a 35-year-old individual, the premium for a ₹10 lakh sum insured is ₹11,824, including the Jump Start Rider.
Also see: ICICI Elevate VS ACKO Platinum Plans
HDFC Ergo Energy Plan
The HDFC Ergo Energy Plan stands out as it covers diabetes and BP from day one for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, making it an inclusive option for those dependent on insulin. It provides a variety of useful features at competitive premium rates.
Key Features
- Coverage for Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes: This plan is inclusive for all diabetics, regardless of insulin dependence.
- In-built Rider for Diabetes and BP: Unlike other plans that require add-ons, this plan has an in-built cover for diabetes and BP from day one.
Room Rent Eligibility
You can opt for any room category.
Entry Age
The minimum entry age is 18 years, and the maximum entry age is 65 years.
Sum Insured
The sum insured ranges from ₹2 lakh to ₹50 lakh.
Pre and Post Hospitalization
Pre-hospitalization expenses are covered for 30 days, and post-hospitalization expenses for 60 days.
Bonus
The plan offers a 10% no-claim bonus, which can go up to 100%. However, there is a claw-back feature, meaning the bonus reduces proportionately if a claim is made.
Refill Benefit
The plan offers a restore benefit once a year, which resets the sum insured for any illness.
Premium
For a 35-year-old individual, the premium for a ₹10 lakh sum insured is ₹14,136, with in-built coverage for diabetes and BP.
Comparative Analysis
To see the comparative analysis of these 4 schemes you can check this PDF.
Conclusion
Choosing the right health insurance plan is crucial, especially for individuals with pre-existing conditions like diabetes and BP. The plans discussed in this article offer immediate coverage for these conditions, saving policyholders from the burden of long waiting periods.
- Niva Bupa Aspire is an excellent choice for those looking for comprehensive coverage with additional features like Lock the Clock and Booster+ benefits.
- Aditya Birla Activ One Max stands out for its super credit option and no upper age limit for entry, making it a solid choice for seniors.
- ICICI Lombard Elevate offers the flexibility of an unlimited sum assured and innovative riders like Jump Start for covering diabetes and BP from day one.
- HDFC Ergo Energy provides an in-built cover for diabetes and BP and is inclusive for individuals with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Each of these plans caters to different needs, so it’s essential to evaluate them based on your specific health requirements and financial considerations. With this guide, we hope you can make an informed decision and find the best health insurance plan that provides you with peace of mind.
FAQs about health insurance plans that cover BP and diabetes from day one
Can I get health insurance if I already have BP or diabetes?
Yes, you can get health insurance even if you already have BP or diabetes. While most standard health insurance plans impose a waiting period of 2 to 3 years for pre-existing conditions, some specialized plans now cover these conditions from day one. These plans either include BP and diabetes as in-built features or allow you to add them through riders, such as the Niva Bupa Aspire Plan, Aditya Birla Activ One Max Plan, ICICI Lombard Elevate Plan, and HDFC Ergo Energy Plan.
What is the waiting period for BP and diabetes coverage in regular health insurance?
In most regular health insurance policies, the waiting period for BP and diabetes is typically 2 to 3 years. During this period, any treatment or hospitalization related to these conditions is not covered. However, some specialized health insurance plans cover BP and diabetes from day one, either as in-built benefits or through add-on riders.
How do BP and diabetes affect my health insurance premium?
Having pre-existing conditions like BP and diabetes can increase your health insurance premium. Insurers consider these conditions as high-risk factors, which may result in higher premiums compared to those without such conditions. However, some plans, such as the Niva Bupa Aspire Plan with its Lock the Clock feature, prevent age-based premium hikes unless a claim is made. You can also explore plans with in-built coverage or riders for BP and diabetes to find the most affordable option.
Are there any restrictions on room eligibility in health insurance plans with BP and diabetes cover?
Room eligibility varies between plans. For example:
> Niva Bupa Aspire and Aditya Birla Activ One Max allow you to choose any room with no restrictions.
> ICICI Lombard Elevate offers a single private AC room, but you can modify the room category through an add-on.
> HDFC Ergo Energy also allows you to select any room category.
It’s important to check the room rent eligibility in your chosen plan to avoid out-of-pocket expenses during hospitalization.
Does health insurance with BP and diabetes cover include modern treatments like robotic surgery?
Yes, many health insurance plans that cover BP and diabetes from day one also include coverage for modern treatments, including robotic surgeries. For instance, Niva Bupa Aspire, Aditya Birla Activ One Max, ICICI Lombard Elevate, and HDFC Ergo Energy all cover modern treatments up to the sum insured. These plans are designed to provide comprehensive coverage, including advanced medical procedures.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Insurance policies and benefits may vary, and specific terms and conditions apply. Always consult with a licensed insurance advisor or read the policy documents carefully before purchasing any health insurance plan to ensure it meets your individual needs and requirements.