Buying a health insurance policy is no more an option. And, if you are a smart one, you will consider insuring your health with a comprehensive health insurance policy. However, there is a common mistake most of us deliberately make while
buying a health insurance policy. The mistake is not disclosing or lying about your pre-existing medical condition when filling up the proposal form. You must be thinking that disclosing your existing medical complications can create problems and result in policy rejection. Also, even if your policy gets approved, the premium amount will increase exponentially. What you don't understand is the fact that not disclosing about your pre-existing conditions would put your claim in danger. Therefore, it is advisable to inform your insurance company about your pre-existing ailments to stay clear at the time of claim.
However, there's good news- insurance companies offer coverage for pre-existing diseases with some terms and conditions. Have a look at it in detail-
What are pre-existing diseases?
Pre-existing diseases are those medical ailments that you already suffer from at the time of purchasing a new health insurance policy.
How are pre-existing diseases covered in health insurance policies?
Generally, most health insurance policies cover pre-existing diseases after a specified period- which is also known as the "waiting period". It depends on which plan you have, and that's how the duration of the waiting period for pre-existing diseases varies from 1 year to 4 years. During this waiting period, any medical conditions arising out of pre-existing diseases would not be covered by the policy. On the other hand, if you renew the policy every year, once the waiting period is over, pre-existing illnesses would be covered. Which means you would be allowed to make claims arising from pre-existing conditions.
Why is disclosing pre-existing illnesses necessary?
When you are buying a
health insurance policy, you sign the proposal form saying everything mentioned in the policy is right. Health insurance policies almost are sold and purchased in 'utmost good faith'. The insurer asses all the conditions stated in the form then accepts your proposal based on all the information. If you hide any information from your company, you breach the principle. When you register a claim, the insurance company holds the policy null and void and rejects your application. If you want to avoid any such claim rejection, you should disclose your pre-existing conditions and everything other details honestly. Even though you won't be covered for the pre-existing conditions in the starting few years of your policy, you would ultimately enjoy the coverage when the waiting period gets over.
Buying a health plan with a pre-existing illness
You should disclose all the medical conditions clearly when purchasing a health plan.
Get a health insurance policy, which has a short waiting period so that your pre-existing diseases get covered at the earliest.
Buy a health insurance policy at a younger age so that you can avail the benefits of the waiting period and avail coverage when any diseases develop.
