Kolkata is known for its cultural heritage and architectural wonders. This city has it all from book lovers to India’s first metro, and India’s oldest tram system. The population of this city is approximately 1.4 Crores, living adjacent to the Sunderbans. It is often called the cultural capital of India due to its rich heritage in literature, art, theatre, and music.
Being a metro city it has faced various health problems over the years due to multiple causes such as air pollution, water-borne diseases etc. Amidst the fast-paced lifestyle in a growing city, having protective health insurance will help you safeguard finances and health at the same time.
Beyond the causes, various health issues in Kolkata have been recurring over time. A few of them are stated below for your reference:
Vector-borne diseases are illnesses transmitted by vectors like mosquitoes, ticks, or flies that carry infectious pathogens. Common examples include malaria, dengue, and Lyme disease. Kolkata reports thousands of dengue and malaria cases annually, with dengue cases rising sharply during monsoon. According to the NVBDCP, West Bengal had over 7,000 dengue cases in 2022. Vector control remains a key focus.
West Bengal reported around 1,500 chikungunya cases in 2022 (NVBDCP data), mainly in urban areas like Kolkata. Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne viral disease transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, which are active during the day. It causes sudden high fever, severe joint pain, fatigue, and rash. Outbreaks are common in Kolkata during the monsoon season due to water stagnation. Outbreaks occur seasonally, peaking post-monsoon.
The West Bengal Pollution Control Board reports that Kolkata’s air quality index often reaches “poor” levels, contributing to high respiratory illness rates. The NFHS-5 (2019-21) shows about 8-10% of urban residents suffer from chronic respiratory conditions. Such poor air quality can lead to an increase in discomfort for people who suffer from pre-existing respiratory issues.
According to NFHS-5 data, nearly 25-30% of adults in urban West Bengal have high blood pressure, reflecting growing lifestyle-related health issues in Kolkata. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a common lifestyle-related condition in Kolkata, often caused by stress, poor diet, and inactivity. It increases the risk of heart disease and stroke if left unmanaged.
Kolkata has a TB prevalence rate of about 193 cases per 100,000 population (2021 data from RNTCP). The city implements the DOTS program for effective TB control, but challenges remain due to population density. Irrespective of fewer cases, the presence of tuberculosis is slowly increasing if effective measures are not taken.
Below are the reasons to buy online health insurance in Kolkata:
Various add-ons such as hospital cash facility, pre-hospitalization procedures, and post-hospitalization care are provided as per your needs. Further, as per your specifications or pre-existing conditions, you can pick a tailored policy which suits you the best in the long term.
There are numerous insurers today in the market which offer various ranges of health insurance policies. Coverfox helps you to compare policies in a few clicks and you can easily decide the one that suits you.
In India, social security is undervalued. Recently there has been a rising awareness regarding retirement, savings, SIPs and many more. Yet, health insurance should be kept in mind to mitigate the risk of accidental injury or unforeseen disease.
Health insurance serves as a backup option, in case you have to incur health-related expenditures. It also covers critical illnesses which might cost you a lot if you would have chosen a normal route to treatment.
Health insurance premiums offer tax benefits under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act. You can claim up to ₹25,000 for yourself and your family and an additional ₹50,000 for senior citizen parents.
The following are the types of health insurance available in Kolkata:
This health insurance is suited, tailored, picked and purchased by you. If you're aware of hereditary diseases in your family, you can easily get coverage by selecting your age and providing details of any existing or past health conditions.
As the name suggests this type of policy is for aged individuals. This often consists of higher premiums, since they pose a major risk to health. Senior citizens are vulnerable to various diseases and accidents.
Under a family floater plan, a single health insurance policy is offered to a full family. This can be understood as an umbrella policy, where everyone is covered. If any family member has met with an accident, the claim will be processed under the family floater plan you have selected.
A Top-up plan covers medical expenses above a fixed deductible limit per claim. Super Top-up plan covers total expenses above the deductible in a year, even if incurred over multiple claims. Super Top-ups are generally more practical as they consider cumulative bills, not just single hospitalizations.
Critical illness insurance is a type of health coverage that provides a lump-sum payout if one is diagnosed with a serious illness listed in the policy, such as cancer, heart attack, or stroke. This amount can be used for treatment, recovery, or daily expenses during the illness.
It is necessary to be aware of the common inclusions and exclusions while purchasing a health insurance policy. Below is a table for your reference:
| Inclusions | Exclusions |
|---|---|
| Hospitalization (pre & post, in-patient care) | Pre-existing diseases (within the waiting period) |
| Surgeries (major/minor) & daycare procedures | Cosmetic/dental treatments (unless injury-related) |
| Ambulance and emergency services | Maternity & infertility treatments (if not included) |
| AYUSH or mental health (if covered by policy) | Injuries from alcohol/drug abuse |
| Organ donor and domiciliary hospitalization | Self-inflicted injuries or suicide (within the exclusion period) |
| Other modern illness coverage as per policy | Experimental/unapproved treatments |
Buying a health insurance policy online in Kolkata can be done within a few minutes. Below are the steps for the same:
It is better to renew your policy before it lapses so you are covered continuously. Below are the steps to renew your health insurance policy in Kolkata:
There are two processes to claim health insurance in Kolkata as mentioned below:
Below are the tips to find the best health insurance policy in Kolkata:
Review and compare coverage, premiums, and benefits from different insurers to find the best fit. Use online aggregators like Coverfox to easily view and compare multiple health insurance policies side by side. Consider factors like waiting periods, co-payment clauses, and policy exclusions to make an informed choice.
Ensure the insurer has a wide network of hospitals in Kolkata for easy cashless treatment. A larger hospital network ensures you have access to quality treatment without worrying about upfront payments. Always check if your preferred local hospital or speciality clinic is part of the network before buying a policy.
Choose plans that cover a variety of treatments, including critical illnesses, mental health, and pre/post-hospitalization. Comprehensive coverage ensures you’re financially protected in most medical situations, not just hospital stays. Don’t overlook add-ons like maternity cover, OPD consultations, and home healthcare if relevant to your needs.
Read the fine print carefully to know about waiting periods, exclusions, and claim procedures. Read the fine print carefully to know about waiting periods, exclusions, and claim procedures. Each policy has specific clauses that can impact your claim eligibility-don’t skip reviewing them. Seek clarification from the insurer or advisor if any term seems ambiguous or unclear.
Opt for insurers with high claim settlement ratios and positive customer feedback. A high claim settlement ratio indicates the insurer's reliability in honouring claims without hassle. Reading customer reviews also helps you gauge the actual service experience, especially during emergencies.
The health insurance coverage in Kolkata depends on your disposable income limit i.e. the money left with you after making all the expenses. If there is enough proportion left from your income a health insurance policy covering a sum of 5 lakh- 50 lakh is a basic requirement.
If your disposable income limits your ability to invest in private health insurance plans, you can opt for government-sponsored health insurance schemes. These plans are both affordable and dependable, offering essential health coverage for financial protection.
Being an NRI( Non-resident Indian) is not a limitation in purchasing your health insurance. You can purchase various policies and schemes for your family and yourself. Provided you have citizenship proof and a working Indian mobile number to register your details and buy the policy online hassle-free. They can either opt for India-based health insurance coverage, international health coverage or travel health insurance for short-term visits.
The key benefits of health insurance in Kolkata are as follows:
Health insurance provides you with a safety net cover range. This cover will be the limit of the reimbursement or spending which can be done under the claim. Good health insurance coverage over a moderate premium is a good package deal in case of any hospitalization.
Health insurance also covers critical illness plans, which are contingent on onset after the policy is purchased. If any critical illness under the policy range occurs or is detected, the policy will cover the expense related to treatment or therapy related to it.
With recent amendments made by IRDIA, various insurance policies exist which cover mental health, and conditions related to them. However, the claim in mental health-related illness or diseases is subject to hospitalization under most policies.
Cashless hospitalization is one of the convenient benefits that you should seek while buying a health insurance policy. It is a benefit provided under the network hospitals of the insurer.
Health insurance premiums qualify for tax deductions under Section 80D, reducing your taxable income. A group of policies for your spouse or parents will lead to higher dedication.
Kolkata being situated near the basin of Sunderbans is a lush green city. Air pollution is one of the rising concerns for netizens along with various quality of life issues such as hypertension and mental health. With high humidity and water stagnation, vector-borne diseases and water-borne diseases are prevalent here. While buying health insurance it is necessary to read its coverage, benefits, terms and conditions.
The coverage should be proportional to the premium paid, considering the existing or anticipated future health conditions. Various other types of plans such as family cover and top-up should be taken as per requirement and research. Comparing multiple plans is the key to buying the most suitable health insurance plan for you and your family. Last but not least, senior citizen health insurance policies are very convenient to cover their health and treatment needs at such a sensitive age.
Ans: Yes, you are eligible to claim a deductible on the premium you pay for the health insurance policy.
Ans: The best health insurance in Kolkata is the one which meets your budget and coverage needs.
Ans: 2 lakh health insurance cover might be manageable in a city like Kolkata. However, with the rising cost at least a cover of 5 lakh should be subscribed.
Ans: Yes, it is possible to buy multiple health insurance plans in Kolkata.
Ans: Yes, you can buy a single health insurance plan for you and your family in Kolkata. Such a plan is known as a family floater plan.
Ans: No, most health insurance policies have a waiting period before you can file a claim, except for accidental emergencies.
Ans: One claim per policy is the standard claim ratio for the majority of the health insurance policies in the insurance market. It is subject to policy type and claim limits.
Ans: Yes, it is possible to buy health insurance in Kolkata online.
