Why Home Health Care is an Important Part of Health Insurance

Posted on: Jul 7, 2021 | 3 mins | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

Why Home Health Care is an Important Part of Health Insurance

Today, when health issues are on the rise and healthcare costs are skyrocketing, a health insurance policy is a must-have for the entire family. This important policy not only covers your hospital bills, but also pre- and post-hospitalisation costs in many cases and keeps your savings intact. Also, with more people wanting to undergo certain healthcare procedures and follow-up treatments in the comfortable environment of their homes, many insurance providers are covering home health care services advised by doctors. Here’s all you need to know about home health care services under health insurance.

Treatments that insurance companies cover under home healthcare

Insurance companies cover a range of home health care services prescribed by healthcare practitioners, including post-hospitalisation expenses. Let’s take a look at some of the prominent treatments covered under home healthcare.

Respiratory tract infection
Chemotherapy
Bronchopneumonia
Gastroenteritis
Dengue
Pancreatitis
Hepatitis
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) management
Fever management

Types of home health care services offered by insurance companies

Here’s some information on the types of home health care services that most insurance companies cover:

Domiciliary Treatment: If a patient cannot be moved to the hospital due to ill health or existing comorbidities, the healthcare practitioner will prescribe domiciliary or home treatment. A healthcare practitioner may also suggest domiciliary treatment in case of non-availability of rooms in the hospital or similar reasons. Domiciliary treatment covers all costs that are associated with hospitalisation.
Pre and Post Hospitalisation: If the insured suffers from an illness or accident that leads to hospitalisation, the insurer will cover the insured’s pre and post hospitalisation medical expenses as well. However, the coverage period that different insurance companies offer can vary.
For instance, Company A may cover 30 days pre and 60 days post-hospitalisation costs. On the other hand, Company B may cover 60 days pre-hospitalisation costs and 180 days post hospitalisation expenses.
OPD and Day Care Treatments: There are certain medical procedures that do not require hospitalisation but can be quite expensive. These include chemotherapy, physiotherapy (for better recovery after an accident or surgery), radiotherapy, haemodialysis, and more. Some insurance companies also cover OPD or out-patient department home care services, such as routine consultation and check-up.

Prominent home health care services that insurance companies cover

Daycare services: These include medical treatments that do not require hospitalisation.
Out-patient cover: These include lab tests, nursing, physiotherapy after surgery and doctor’s consultation fees.
Domiciliary care: If a patient requires hospitalisation but is advised domiciliary care by a healthcare practitioner, the insurer will cover the entire cost of treatment undertaken at home. This includes doctor’s consultation fees, cost of medicines, lab tests, cost of renting important medical equipment, and more.

How home health care insurance can benefit both insurers and policyholders

Quicker recovery: When home health care is included in the insurance policy, the insurer can easily avail post-operative or post-hospitalisation treatment at home without worrying about the bills. This not only ensures quicker recovery of the patient, but also reduces outgo for the insurance companies. A patient also recovers faster in a peaceful and familiar environment.
Less financial stress: Certain post-operative treatments and medications, mostly long-term ones, can be quite expensive, and not having a home health care cover can burn a hole in your pocket.
No room rent: When you have home health care coverage, you can opt for certain treatments at home and save on room rents.
No extra premium: Most insurance companies cover home health care services without any extra premium. Hence, the policy is easily affordable.

Things to keep in mind before choosing home health care services

Talk to the insurance provider and find out about your home health care cover inclusions and exclusions to avoid any confusion later.
Go for home health care only if it is prescribed by a healthcare professional.
Make sure you find trained professionals and the right medical equipment for home health care.

Conclusion

Home health care cover is a wonderful option for domiciliary medical procedures, daycare services as well as pre- and post-hospitalisation treatments. It helps you avail quality and timely treatment in the comfort of your home, without fretting about the bills. If you are looking for health insurance with home health care cover, make sure you do some research and choose the best health insurance policy in Indiato avoid any hassles later.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purpose only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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