Seniors, today, are tech-savvy, young-at-heart, active, and follow strict diets to remain healthy. Unfortunately, many of them think it’s too late to get a health insurance policy if they’ve crossed 55 years of age and many think that if they’ve managed to survive this far without insurance, they can continue on without it. The truth is that, just as it’s never too late to start taking care of your health, it’s also not too late to get health coverage. Moreover, insurance companies today have plenty of offerings that cater specifically to senior citizens.

Buying mediclaim for seniors requires a little more research and a slightly higher premium, but it will still work out a lot cheaper than remaining uninsured. It will ensure some peace of mind and protect you against rising health care costs that can prove unmanageable in the absence of insurance.

Health insurance for senior citizens can be easily availed today, as many companies offer different kinds of policies. This makes it simpler to find a plan that will suit your specific needs. It is important that you give some thought to these factors before choosing a plan:

1. Co-pay

Under this feature, you will be required to fund some portion of the claimable hospital expenditure in case of hospitalization. Most insurance providers include this feature in medical insurance for senior citizens for handling claims made by them. Make sure to check the percentage of this co-payment before making your choice.

2. Age limit

Very often, health insurance plans for seniors have an age limit at the time of availing the policy. This condition is related to the possibility of the number of claims that may be made under such policies. For this reason, it is recommended that you buy the health policy before it is too late.

3. Pre-existing conditions

Medical conditions that are already present at the time of buying the policy are classified as pre-existing conditions. Purchasing health plans with these conditions can result in one or more of the following:

• Higher premium at the commencement for dealing with conditions likely to surface in the future
• Waiting period between 2 and 4 years after which the policyholder can receive treatment for these pre-existing conditions
• Some severe ailments may be excluded from the beginning of the policy
• In case of chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, or hypertension, the insurance providers may even refuse to sell a health plan for the seniors

It is advisable to buy health insurance for senior citizens in India with the widest possible coverage for a number of pre-existing conditions, with minimum waiting period.

4. Medical check-ups

Health check-ups are compulsory and are organized by insurance providers. These tests are used to determine the risks, and based on the results, you may be denied coverage. Try to choose a plan with minimal testing.

An insurance policy for seniors doesn’t just guarantee peace of mind and protection against huge medical expenditures; it also protects children from the financial burden of having to shell out huge amounts on health care costs for seniors, which are completely avoidable.