The health of our children in their younger years has a far-reaching influence on emotional and physical development and growth, as well as their capacity to achieve their full potential as adults. If children are not given appropriate and timely healthcare, it can lead to otherwise preventable ailments. And when this happens, it impacts their lives and their family members’ lives for many years. Clearly, for the parent, their child’s health should be paramount and include them under a family health insurance plan.
Other than routine injuries, cough, cold, and flu today, parents have an additional concern to worry about—Covid-19. According to a report by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), South Africa, the admission rate of children below the age of four into hospitals is 49% higher during the Omicron wave compared to Delta.
Around the world, there have been reports of younger and younger children getting sick with Covid-19. According to the American Academy of Paediatrics, almost 199,000 children were infected with Covid-19 in the week ending December 23, 2021. It is clear that along with ever-increasing medical inflation, having a good family health insurance plan has never been more crucial for your children.
Here are some of the benefits of family health insurance plans covering your kids:
1. Comprehensive Coverage
It offers extensive cover from the tender age of 91 days. The coverage includes hospitalisation costs, doctor consultations, day-care procedures, treatment for injuries, medicine expenses, and more. Family health insurance plans, such as from Care Insurance, have annual health check-ups, and ambulance cover and various add-on covers. These are highly beneficial as our diets today are often filled with sugary snacks and junk food, while children spend more time in front of screens and gadgets. Timely physical examinations can help catch and nip any resulting health issues in the bud.
2. Lower Premiums
You may worry about having to pay high premiums for such comprehensive coverage but as it is one plan covering up to six family members, the premiums on family health insurance plans are lower compared to taking individual plans for all the members.
3. Zero Compromises on Treatment:
Medical costs are on the rise every year and are projected to rise by 6.5% in 2022. As a parent, you want the best for your child and may worry that you may not be able to afford these rising costs. A family health insurance plan offers some relief as you will not have to compromise on your child’s health because of expensive treatments.
4. Cashless Hospitalisation
Having a sick or injured child is worrying enough; parents shouldn’t have to run around for access to good doctors and hospitals. Family health insurance will get you hassle-free access to top doctors at network hospitals, and if your child needs hospitalisation, you will not have to pay out of pocket for the duration of their stay.
5. Pre- and Post-Hospitalisation
Pre- and post-hospitalisation expenses such as medication and investigative tests are often financially draining. A good family health insurance plan can help parents by covering these expenses as well.
6. Covid-19 Treatment
If your child should fall sick with Covid-19, their health insurance will bring financial relief by covering the related expenses, leaving you to concentrate on taking care of your child.
7. Added Benefits
Other expenses related to your child’s treatment will be covered, such as second opinion consultations, alternative treatments such as Ayush treatment, ambulance expenses, and even organ donor expenses.
8. Tax Saving Benefit
On top of all the benefits already stated, you can also claim tax deductions on the premiums paid for your family health insurance as per Section 80D of the Income Tax Act.
Covid-19, lifestyle diseases, and increasing pollution—are just some issues causing ill health among children that, in turn, cause financial drain for the parents. And while many things are out of your hands, getting your child covered under the best family health insurance plan is not one of them. Choose the right plan today and ensure the health and well-being of your child.
