Day 1 Coverage: Does Health Insurance Cover Pre-Existing Diseases?

Health Insurance: Do you have any medical conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma, high cholesterol? Don’t worry if these will be a barrier to getting health insurance. Many health insurance companies offer coverage for pre-existing conditions from day one.

One important thing to know is that in insurance parlance, ‘Day 1 coverage’ means that the coverage will be effective within 30 days of purchasing the policy. That is, you will get coverage for these conditions from the 31st day onwards.

Some of the best health insurance plans that provide coverage for pre-existing conditions and their key features and benefits are given below:

HDFC Ergo Energy Diabetes Insurance

This is a plan specially designed for people with diabetes and hypertension. Hospitalizations due to diabetes and hypertension are covered from day one.

What is covered:

Hospitalization expenses, pre- and post-hospitalization expenses, day care procedures, emergency ambulance services Organ donation: Hospitalization expenses of the person who donates an organ for transplantation of a vital organ.

What is not covered:

Other pre-existing conditions: Other pre-existing conditions other than diabetes or blood pressure are covered only after a waiting period of two years.
Obesity/Cosmetic surgery: Obesity treatment or cosmetic surgery is not covered under this policy.
Self-inflicted injuries: Self-inflicted injuries caused by misuse of substances such as alcohol or drugs are not covered.

Care Supreme Instant Cover

This plan provides coverage for diabetes, blood pressure, hyperlipidemia and asthma without a waiting period. However, it has to be purchased as a separate rider by paying an additional premium. Benefits are available only up to the limit of coverage related to hospitalization in the basic policy. The pre- and post-hospital waiting periods, organ donation coverage, day care procedures, ambulance assistance and other benefits are as per the basic insurance policy.

Star Health Diabetes Safe Insurance

This policy covers regular hospitalization, accident and OPD expenses in addition to treatment for diabetes (Type I and Type II). Hospitalization expenses, emergency ambulance charges and dialysis expenses arising due to complications of diabetes are also covered.

Claims directly or indirectly related to cardiovascular diseases, kidney diseases, eye diseases (excluding cataracts), foot ulcers, diabetic peripheral vascular diseases and other complications are only applicable for hospitalization due to complications of diabetes. Expenses related to surgical treatment of obesity are covered subject to certain conditions.

Niva Bupa ReAssure Smart Health Plus Disease Management

This plan offers coverage for diabetes and blood pressure. It can be purchased along with the main insurance policy by paying an additional premium. Since this is a rider, the normal inclusions and exclusions of the main insurance policy will apply. Pre- and post-hospital waiting periods, organ donation coverage, day care procedures, ambulance assistance, and other benefits will be as per the main insurance policy.