The monsoon seems to have arrived, bringing with it a pleasant respite from the heat. Unfortunately, along with the fresh air and cool weather also comes the risk of catching diseases. Vector-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue are at their strongest during this season. If you or your loved ones are diagnosed with these diseases, then the treatment could be very expensive sometimes. This is a good period to consider getting covered under a reliable health insurance policy. Let’s understand how and why a health insurance policy would be a wise idea to combat the financial costs of vector-borne diseases.
Increased vulnerability to sicknesses
The monsoon brings with it its own share of health woes. Infections can be caught easily; cases of flu, cold, and cough are also quite common as people tend to get drenched in sudden rains. And the worst part is the mosquitoes, ticks, and other vectors. The rainwater getting accumulated in unhygienic conditions is the perfect breeding ground for such vectors, leading to a surge in cases of a malaria and dengue during the season. Besides making a few changes in your lifestyle such as avoiding outside food, carrying an umbrella, and eating immunity-boosting foods, one should also prepare oneself for the worst with a good health insurance plan.
Wide variety of expenses covered
A health insurance policy covers several expenses that you may come across when trying to treat malaria or dengue. Health insurance policies cover pre-hospitalization, post-hospitalization as well as the regular hospitalisation expenses. Along with that, ambulance services, diagnostic tests and X-rays, laboratory services, AYUSH treatment, vaccination and health check-ups are also covered. So, right from your diagnosis to treatment for malaria, dengue and other covered vector-borne diseases, you will be covered.
Entire protection for the family
Children love playing during the monsoons; however, this also leaves them susceptible to mosquito bites, malarial and dengue infections, and such. And if you are living in a neighbourhood that has swamps, open drains, and/or open ground nearby, then the risk of you and you’re loved ones getting afflicted with vector-borne diseases increases. For the protection of your entire family, you can opt for a family health insurance plan. You can buy health insurance for your spouse, children, dependent parents, sibling, and other relatives living with you under a family plan. This plan includes a single sum insured and requires payment of a single premium.
Additional protection with vector-borne diseases health insurance
In many cases, the financial needs of patients of vector-borne diseases go beyond the treatment expenses. Furthermore, the treatment for malaria and dengue can sometimes go up to a lakh if you are getting it done from a private hospital. If you are the breadwinner of the family, then diagnosis could also mean a break from work and a dip in regular income. To cover yourself for such a situation, you can opt for a health insurance plan that covers vector-borne diseases exclusively. These plans are benefit-based rather than indemnity-based. That is, when you get officially diagnosed with a vector-borne disease, the insurer is liable to pay you a lump sum amount as specified in the policy.
The vector-borne diseases covered are dengue fever, malaria, kala-azar, chikungunya, Japanese encephalitis, lymphatic filariasis, and Zika virus. There may be specific conditions attached to each of the illness, so do read the policy wordings carefully.
When you are assured that you have fixed your finances with the dual coverage of a regular family health insurance plan and a vector-borne diseases health insurance plan, you and your family can breathe a little easy and enjoy the monsoons a little more.