Securing Health Coverage for Your Father Post-Heart Attack

Health insurance can be a daunting task, especially for individuals with a history of heart conditions. If your father had suffered a cardiac arrest a few years back but is now on a regular medication regimen, you may be wondering if there is a suitable health insurance plan for him. In this article, we explore various options and provide guidance on how to secure health coverage for your father.

Understanding Pre-Existing Conditions

The first step in identifying health insurance options for your father is to understand the implications of his past medical history. If your father falls under the following categories:

Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA) or Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) within the last 7 years Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) or Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) that has been corrected Pulmonary Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) that has been treated Radiofrequency Ablation (RF Ablation) to correct an underlying cardiac condition Had an Angiogram but no intervention was medically necessary

then there are still options for you to secure health coverage. It's important to consult directly with your insurer or a trusted advisor to navigate the nuances of pre-existing condition coverage.

Challenges in Finding Coverage for Long-Term Heart Patients

However, if your father has been living with heart problems for 18 years, finding an insurance plan that covers him may be more challenging. Because of the extended duration of his condition, many insurers will either deny coverage or require significant exclusions or co-payments.

Alternative Options for Partial Coverage

In such situations, it may be worthwhile to explore alternative policies that offer medical hospitalization coverage. Such policies can be useful in managing expenses related to any accidents or sudden illnesses that may arise. Examples of these policies include:

Bajaj Allianz “Global Personal Guard Protection”: This plan offers comprehensive medical coverage along with personal accident insurance. New India’s ‘Road Safety Policy’: Suitable for those who are more prone to accidents or sudden health crises.

These plans can provide valuable protection and peace of mind, though they may not cover pre-existing conditions.

Exploring Group Health Insurance Schemes

For older individuals, another option to consider is group health insurance schemes offered by banks and employers. If you or your siblings are employed and your company offers such a scheme, you can add your father as a dependent. This can be a cost-effective way to obtain coverage, provided that the existing conditions are not excluded.

Other Insurance Requirements

It's crucial to address the broader insurance needs of your family. If you own a vehicle, you should also have a motor policy. Moreover, I recommend that all earning members of your family have at least 1 crore worth of personal accident insurance. This can be achieved by consolidating all your insurance needs through a single agent and insurer if possible.

Securing Coverage with Public Sector Companies

Public sector companies are generally more amenable to insuring senior citizens. You should explore options with these companies before considering private insurers. Be wary of co-payment conditions, as they are almost unavoidable, but you should aim for a co-payment percentage not exceeding 20%.

Conclusion

The path to securing health coverage for your father may seem intricate and challenging. By understanding the nature of his medical history, exploring alternative policies, and taking advantage of group schemes offered by employers, you can ensure that your father is adequately covered. Always keep records of all health insurance policies and be mindful of potential exclusions or conditions when applying for new coverage.