Can my Star Health Insurance Cover Covid19?

The COVID-19 pandemic has raised a terror-scene across the length and breadth of the globe. Amidst all this, the biggest concern that hits every individual is whether their existing health insurance policies would cover medical expenses related to this fatal disease or not.

Providing much relief to their policyholders, Star Health Insurance has clarified recently in a leading publication that all their health insurance policies would henceforth cover COVID-19. This includes the ones taken out even before the outbreak of this disastrous disease started.

Star Health Insurance is an insurance company in India that came into existence and operation in the year 2006. Since then, it has provided sterling services in the health sector, and now it covers all its valued customers against COVID-19. The Star Health Insurance company announced this after the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) declarative. Not only Star Health Insurance, but all other insurance companies must provide cover for COVID-19 with immediate effect in the interest of public safety as ordered by IRDAI through its circular.

As such, Star Health Insurance has launched a special and unique policy that exclusively covers coronavirus and stands by the insured like a true friend right from the start till the end.

Star Novel Coronavirus (nCoV) (COVID-19) Insurance Policy

Description:

The Star Novel Coronavirus (nCoV) (COVID-19) Insurance Policy is an affordable healthcare plan released specially for the COVID-19 pandemic. Under this pilot product by Star Health Insurance, a lump sum benefit would be provided to the person who gets admitted into the hospital on account of being tested positive with the novel coronavirus.

Eligibility Criteria:

People between the age group of 18 to 65 years can avail of this policy by Star Health Insurance.
This policy is issued based on individual sum insured only.
Under this policy, a single dependent child between the age of 3 months to 25 years can be covered along with one parent.
One person is allowed under one Star Health Insurance policy. Term of the Policy: 1 year

Option for the Sum to be Insured: Rs 21,000 and Rs 42,000
Applicable Premium: Rs. 495/- plus GST and Rs. 918/- plus GST respectively

Benefits Under This Policy:

During the policy period, if the beneficiary is diagnosed with COVID-19, the assured sum would be dispensed by Star Health Insurance for his treatment. However, it should be noted that:

Payment would be made by the Star Health Insurance company only when the insured is hospitalized for coronavirus.
Once the lump-sum has been paid by the company, the policy would automatically cease.

Exclusions:

The Star Health Insurance company refuses to be liable to pay in the following aspects:

If the patient is not hospitalized, no payment would be dispensed, irrespective of whether they had been quarantined or not.
No other disease would be covered under this Star Health Insurance policy.
If the insured has already tested positive with COVID-19 before the commencement date or during the waiting period, the policy would not be accepted or honoured.

Free Lock Period:

The insured would be given 15 days from the date on which he receives the Star Health Insurance policy to review its terms and conditions and surrender or return it if it is not acceptable to them. During this period, if there have been no claims by the insured, they would be entitled to the following benefits:

Refund of the premium amount after deducting stamp duty charges or any expenses incurred by the insurer on the medical examination of the insured.
At the time of renewal, the free lock period would not be applicable.
In case the risk has already commenced, and the insured wants to return the policy, the amount would be refunded after deducting the proportionate risk premium for the period on the cover.

Disclosure to Information Norms:

Star Health Insurance would be liable to forfeit the paid amount of premium and declare the policy null and void in case there is a non-disclosure of facts, misrepresentation, or fraudulent documents that have been submitted by the insured.

Renewal:

This is a pilot product. This means the Star Health Insurance company may withdraw this policy anytime it finds it unviable to continue.

In case Star Health Insurance decides to withdraw the product, it would intimate the policyholders three months in advance before their renewal due date.
Star Health Insurance shall offer an alternate product, and the terms and conditions would be implied as per the features of the alternate product provided therein.

Waiting Period: 16 days

Claim Procedure:

To establish the claim made, the insured person should fill up and submit the signed claim form, along with the relevant documents. The claim should be confirmed within 15 days of receiving the notification. The required documents may include the following:

Completely filled-up and duly signed claim form
Report from a Government Authorised Centre for diagnostics, conducted on the insured, confirming positive results of the COVID-19 test -
Government-approved ID card or copy of Aadhaar card of the insured

Tax Benefit:

Under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act, 1961, a tax rebate is applicable to the insured when the premium amount is paid by any other mode except cash.

Advantages of the Star Health Insurance Policy:

The significant advantages of choosing this health policy with Star Health Insurance is that:

Star Health Insurance operates an in-house claim settlement team; there is no third-party administration involved.
The entire procedure of claim settlement is smooth, fast, and hassle-free.
All network hospitals for Star Health Insurance across India extend the cashless facility option to its policyholders.

Final Take

COVID-19 has struck the world and claimed the lives of many across the globe. However, under such uncertain and unforeseen times, the only ray of hope seems to be a health insurance policy that will cover our medical expenses against this deadly epidemic.

Opting for this exclusive health insurance policy by Star Health Insurance would not just safeguard you against COVID-19, but also render enough courage to you and your family to fight against this life-threatening disease.

If you have purchased a health insurance plan, you can be sure that it will cover COVID-19 as per the IRDAI guidelines. For assistance regarding all your insurance needs, get in touch with your financial advisors. With their guidance, you can definitely purchase the right insurance protection.