Health and medical emergencies strike unexpectedly. They demand immediate attention and often put a strain on finances. This is why most people get health insurance to cover the surgical and medical expenses of their loved ones and themselves.
If you are looking to get health insurance, you know that individual and corporate health insurance are two of the most popular types of health insurance options. So, which one should you choose?
In this blog, we will explore the intricacies of individual and corporate health insurance to help you choose one that aligns perfectly with your requirements.
What is individual health insurance?
Individual or personal health insurance policy provides coverage for one person's medical expenses related to surgeries and hospitalisations. Your premium for this policy depends on your age, medical history, and pre-existing medical conditions.
Benefits of individual health insurance
1. If you have individual health insurance, you can enjoy the plan's benefits as a single person.
2. Individual health insurance is suitable for individuals with more significant health concerns or medical needs like hypertension, heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. This is because these insurance policies are usually customisable. So, you can get a health insurance policy covering your health issue if you research well.
3. It may offer a broader network of healthcare providers based on your chosen policy.
4. There is no upper age limit for renewing the policy, allowing continued coverage.
5. When you choose an individual health insurance policy, you can claim tax benefits. For perspective, according to Section 80 D of the Income Tax Act 1961, the premium is deducted from your taxable income. This reduces your tax liability considerably.
6. Many health insurance companies offer no-claim bonuses if insurers do not claim insurance for the financial year. This way, you get returns from your insurance despite not claiming it.
Limitations of individual health insurance
1. While personal health insurance covers most health expenses, it doesn't factor all of them. For instance, co-payments or payments like doctor visits or prescription medications may not be covered under your policy. Similarly, medical expenses at out-of-network hospitals or special procedures like cosmetic treatments on therapies may not fall under the purview of your policy. In such cases, you may be spending money out of your pockets despite having health insurance.
2. If you want to offer health insurance coverage to your loved ones, you will need to get a family health insurance policy.
3. If you do not have specific health concerns, you might be unable to maximise individual insurance policy features. This might mean you may pay a higher premium than the benefits you get.
4. Individual health insurance policies may have a waiting period after which you can raise a claim for pre-existing health conditions. This means you can claim insurance coverage only when the waiting period ends.
What is corporate health insurance?
Corporate health insurance is offered by the organisation to their employees. The biggest difference compared to individual health insurance is that the employer pays the premium here. This means that the insurance coverage will depend on the policy chosen by the employer. Note that some corporate health insurance policies may also include coverage for their family members, depending on the organisation's policies.
Benefits of corporate health insurance
1. Unlike individual health insurance policies, you need not wait for a specific period before you can avail of corporate insurance benefits.
2. Processing claims for medical expenses is uncomplicated in the case of corporate health insurance. This is because companies typically have tie-ups with hospitals to streamline claim settlement.
3. Depending on your company, the insurance may cover OPD, preventative healthcare, mental health and more.
Limitations of corporate health insurance
1. You will lose access to the corporate health insurance provided by your employer when you quit your job.
2. Corporate health insurance plans are not customisable to fit your personal or family needs. They depend on your organisation's terms.
3. Because corporate health insurance is tied to your job, switching jobs or experiencing a break in employment may leave you temporarily uninsured. Besides, it might be challenging to purchase individual health insurance due to coverage gaps.
4. Unlike individual health insurance, corporate insurance offers no tax benefits.
5. Some corporate insurance policies may not account for the hospitalisation costs in metro cities. This means you might have to pay out of your pocket despite insurance.
How to choose the right health insurance policy
#1. Personal circumstances and needs
Analyse your situation, including age, marital status, dependents, health condition, and pre-existing conditions, to determine which insurance provides all the required features. Ask questions like:
a. Do I have any specific medical conditions that need special insurance coverage?
b. Do I have any pre-existing conditions that may affect how quickly I can claim insurance?
c. Do I have dependents that need insurance coverage?
d. Does my employer (do my loved one’s employers) provide health insurance?
#2. Cost
Conduct a thorough cost analysis of premiums, co-payments, and out-of-pocket expenses for both individual and corporate health insurance. Consider your budget and choose the value for money option.
#3. Benefits and coverage requirements
Review and compare the benefits and coverage offered, including preventive care, hospitalisation, medications, specialists, and additional dental and mental health services.
#4. Accessibility and convenience
Evaluate the network of healthcare providers, geographical coverage, claims processing, and customer service support each plan offers. Choose a plan that offers convenience and a seamless healthcare experience.
Corporate health insurance vs personal health insurance
Area of Consideration
Corporate health insurance policy
Personal/individual health insurance policy
Premium cost
The premium cost of corporate insurance is usually low. Besides, the company covers these costs.
The premium cost might be slightly high. Individuals usually pay for these costs from their savings.
Coverage
The coverage provided is limited.
The coverage is comprehensive since most insurance companies allow customisation.
Customisation
Corporate health insurance offers coverage based on your employer's provided plan and cannot cater to your personal and family needs.
Individual health insurance can be tailored to suit your specific medical needs.
No-claim bonus (NCB)
Corporate insurance policies offer benefits only when you make a claim.
You can enjoy the benefits of no-claim bonus (NCB) on your individual insurance plan, depending on your policy.
Job limitation
Corporate health insurance becomes invalid once you leave the company and there will be no coverage after retirement from the job.
Individual health insurance plans do not expire when you leave your job.
Corporate health insurance vs personal health insurance: Which is better?
There is no right answer to the above question, because the best insurance policy for you depends on your needs.
So, compare plans from various providers to find the best fit for you. In this regard, Tata Capital Moneyfy can be your trusted partner.
We offer both individual and corporate insurance, provide the best offers and make the application process easy for you. Visit the Tata Capital website to apply for your insurance or download the Moneyfy app from the Play store or App store.
20 June 2023
6 mins read
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