Important Benefits of Having a Health Insurance Card

In this day and age, having a health insurance plan is a must for every individual to protect themselves and their family from exorbitant medical costs in case of any medical emergency. With the skyrocketing cost of healthcare in India, it is imperative to have the right coverage to ensure total financial security in case of any eventualities.

The insurance companies issue a health card to the policyholder at the time of policy purchase. Although a health card looks the same as a regular debit or credit card it is very useful at the time of claims. Read this article further to know some important benefits of having a health insurance card.

6 Benefits of Having a Health Insurance Card

Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of having a health insurance card:

Insured can Avail the Benefit of Cashless Hospitalization

The health insurance card can be used in case of hospitalization in any of the network hospitals of the insurance company. This helps the insurance holder to avail the cashless treatments in case of hospitalization. At the time of hospitalization, the policyholder will be required to present the health card to the hospital authority. The insured can initiate the process of cashless claim and get the claim settled easily and quickly if they have the health insurance card handy and present it upon hospitalization.

Can Contact the Insurance Company Easily

Every health insurance company has its toll-free helpline number, which can be used in case of claims or to resolve any queries. However, it is not always possible to remember these numbers. Here is where the health card proves very beneficial. There is an emergency helpline number given on the health card. Thus, the policyholder can quickly call the helpline number and intimate the health insurance claim in case of any medical emergency. Informing the insurer of the claim is the first step in the process of claim settlement.

The Insured can Get the Policy Details at a Jiffy

While informing the insurance company of the claim or filing in the claim form, the policyholder needs to mention the policy number and customer identification number so that the insurance company can verify the details. Moreover, it is important to be aware of the features and benefits offered by the policy such as whether the policy has critical illness cover or not, etc.

In case of any emergency, it can be tedious to search for policy documents to find out policy numbers and other details. The health insurance card contains a Unique Identification Number (UIN), which can be used to get the policy details in a jiffy.

The Card Serves as an Identity Card for Cashless Treatments

The health card doubles up as the identity card when the policyholder avails of the cashless hospitalization. The hospital is assured of the identity of the policyholder and allows him/her the cashless treatments by using the details available on the card and matching them with the ID proof

Specifies the Validity Date

Just like the validity up to date mentioned on the credit or debit card, the health insurance card also contains the validity date of the health insurance policy. After the expiry of the validity date, the policyholder will need to renew the policy and a new card will be issued to them. Thus, this helps the policyholder to pay a regular premium of the policy and renew the policy at the right time to ensure regular coverage.

Clarifies the Eligibility of the Claim

This is another benefit of having a health insurance card that validates the claim. When the card is presented for the cashless treatments, the hospital cross-checks the policy details, the identity of the policyholder and validates the health insurance policy. Upon finding everything in order, the hospital validates the claim and allows cashless treatment. This also applies to any critical illness insurance claim filed.

Wrapping it Up!

Now that you know the benefits of having a health insurance card, make sure to carry the card with you in case of any medical emergency. You never know when an emergency might strike and you get hospitalized. When you have the card on your person you can present it to the hospital to avoid delay in cashless treatments.

FAQs

What is a health insurance card?

The insurance companies issue a health card to the policyholder at the time of policy purchase. The health insurance card helps policyholders to initiate the process of cashless claims and get the claim settled easily and quickly.

Does a critical illness insurance policy also offer a health card to the policyholder?

Yes, the critical illness insurance policy also offers a health card to the policyholder.

What are the tax benefits offered by a health insurance plan with OPD cover?

An individual can save on taxes on the premium paid towards the policy under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act.

Surobhi Bose

A financial writer with more than 6 years of work experience in the industry who keeps a professional approach with hands-on knowledge in digital marketing. In her free time, she loves to explore new places, doing photography and also loves to sing.