Coronavirus Health Insurance

The outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) has been in the news for two years now. According to the latest figures, at present, a total of 41,34,80,802 COVID cases worldwide have been verified and 58,26,378 lives have been removed so far (as of February 15, 2022). While many strains of Coronavirus have emerged, the omicron variant has been identified as a 'concern concern' by the World Health Organization (WHO).


Coronavirus cases in India and around the world

Currently in India, as of February 15, 2022, there are 4,23,127 active cases in Coronavirus (COVID-19) and a total of 4,26,92,943 cases. It is a matter of great concern to our nation with a large population. However, an estimated 4,17,60,458 coronavirus patients were discharged and treated nationwide. The total number of vaccines given in the country to date is 1,73,42,62,440.

It is now widespread in India as the most infectious species of omicron has reached our country, such as Europe and the USA. As of February 15, 2022, more than 10,050 cases of variation of the new omicron COVID have been discovered in India. Therefore, it is important to be prepared in advance for any adverse circumstances. But if you have a health insurance policy, the question is whether the novel Coronavirus falls under medical insurance in India or not?


What is Coronavirus?

Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a group of viruses that attack the human immune system and cause infections from the common cold to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome or SARS. Toward the end of December 2019, a new species of coronavirus appeared in China, previously unknown to humans. It came to be known as the novel Coronavirus or COVID-19. Several variations of COVID-19 have been discovered since then, including delta variants and omicron variants.


What is Coronavirus Health Insurance?

Coronavirus Health Insurance refers to insurance that covers the medical costs incurred on COVID-19 treatment. The coronavirus health insurance policy is designed to cover the cost of hospital policyholder hospitalization, regardless of the disease (unless it is a serious uninsured disease). Almost all health insurance schemes cover hospital costs incurred in the treatment of bacterial infections. Since Coronavirus is a viral infection, a comprehensive health insurance policy pays for pre- and post-hospitalization costs, including the cost of hospitalization, which is derived from COVID-19 treatment and its variants, including omicron.

Coronavirus cover health insurance will be available from the date the insured is diagnosed. This is because COVID-19 is a relatively new disease and therefore does not fall into the category of existing illnesses.


Types of Coronavirus Health Insurance in India

If you are looking for a specific cover of coronavirus health insurance (COVID-19) you can consider a general health insurance policy that covers all medical expenses incurred during COVID-19 treatment. These are two standard products recently introduced in accordance with IRDAI guidelines. And the terms of the policy remain the same for all health insurance companies in India.


Coronavirus Health Insurance (COVID-19) in India

Since the outbreak of coronavirus, many insurers have been offering Covid-19 health insurance in their basic programs. They also offer some Covid-19 insurance programs, Corona Kavach and Corona Rakshak are two such programs and benefits that have been popular with the people of India.


Is Coronavirus Covered Under Your Existing Health Insurance Policy?

Coronavirus or COVID-19 may be a newly diagnosed disease but all existing health insurance policies will provide coronavirus health insurance. This means that if you purchase a health insurance policy prior to your diagnosis of coronavirus, any medical expenses incurred in its treatment will be covered under it (as long as you do not get it at the first waiting period). You can get coronavirus help under your existing health insurance policy with a different care option that is different from the omicron or delta.

Since coronavirus is not a pre-existing disease, it will be covered as part of the basic cost of hospitalization under a health insurance plan that includes hospitalization costs, ICU costs and diagnostic costs among others.

However, if you do not already have health insurance and decide to buy it after testing for COVID-19, the cost of treatment for coronavirus will not be covered under this policy.