Best Health Insurance Plan for COPD

With a range of health insurance plans available in the market, there are a number of things that need to be kept in mind before purchasing it: the scope of the plan, the expenses it covers, any hidden costs, the network hospitals, the claim process. For those who suffer from particular diseases, the benefits of health insurance plan are immense.

 

COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Obstruction) is a medical condition that includes a host of respiratory diseases. Chronic emphysema and bronchitis are the most common COPD diseases. Difficulty in breathing due to air passage blockage is the most common COPD symptom. It's estimated that more than 90 crore people in India suffer from various respiratory diseases and the number is steadily rising. The most common causes of COPD can include pollution, inhaling harmful fumes and smoking.

 

Most COPD diseases require hospitalization and prolonged medication, so if affordable health insurance is not selected, the patient and his family will have to bear a huge financial burden. That's why it's important to carefully check health insurance plan offerings before making a decision. COPD can be life-threatening, if not treated timely. To ensure that there is no delay in hospital admission and no ambiguities arise in payment, it's essential to check for the coverage limit and flexibility of the COPD health insurance coverage plan. Importance of health insurance policy lies in the fact that it safeguards the future against any health-related uncertainty.

 

COPD Health Insurance Cover Features

Any health insurance cover that offers the following options is best for COPD patients:

A comprehensive health insurance plan covers both pre and post hospitalization expenses. Usually, the coverage period is 30 days prior to hospital admission, and 60 days post hospitalization or discharge. All charges like diagnosis, medical tests, doctors bill etc is mostly covered under such a health insurance plan. A good COPD health insurance coverage should ideally include all medical expenses.

 

Cashless Hospital Admission

It's quite straining to arrange for cash at the time of emergency hospitalization, when every minute is crucial. In order to save time-wasted in collecting cash and ensure prompt admission, it's necessary to choose the plan with the option of cashless Mediclaim. It's usually provided at network hospitals, so it's best to select the network hospital too beforehand. Cashless mediclaim policy is a part of COPD insurance coverage.

 

Routine Health Check-Ups

Regular health-check-ups keep a tab on the medical condition, and its progression. Without a health check-up, there's no way to determine the extent to which your condition is improving. The doctor would make changes to his prescriptions based on latest check-up reports only. If you pay for annual check-ups from your pocket, it may cost a lot, therefore it’s advised to select a health insurance plan that provides for healthcare check-ups as well. It will not only help in tracking COPD regularly but would also timely diagnose any other ailment.

 

ICU Cost

COPD conditions often require immediate hospitalization and in worst conditions, or during a sudden bout of attack, the patient would need to be admitted to an ICU (Intensive Care Unit). ICU charges are much higher than normal hospital wards, due to the specialization and severity involved. While opting for a health insurance plan, ensure that it covers ICU expenses as well, so that without any delay in arranging funds or looking up for the right hospital, the patient is admitted. In case of ICU hospitalization, delay can be a matter of life and death. A good health insurance for someone with COPD should be inclusive of ICU charge.

 

OPD Cover

COPD and related respiratory diseases worsen when air quality is really low and there's heavy smog in the atmosphere. This not only causes difficulty in breathing but may also cause other associated conditions like eye irritation, chest pain, chronic coughing etc. Many times, symptoms can vary as well. Factor this as well and while selecting a health insurance plan, go for the one that provides cover for OPD (Outpatient department) treatment as well.

 

Tax Exemption

As per section 80 D of Income Tax Act 1961, availing health insurance makes one eligible for tax exemption of up to Rs. 1 Lakh. However, the limit varies based on other factors like income and age. Do remember to avail this as well after you chose a comprehensive health insurance plan.

 

Cost Considerations for COPD Health Insurance

Out-of-Pocket Expense

Certain health insurance doesn’t cover complete medication costs. There may be either deductibles or part of a payment that the patient will have to bear. It's important to read the terms & conditions carefully to not have any confusion or be misled about what's covered and what's not. It goes without saying that opt for a health insurance plan that provides for maximum coverage.

 

Treatment and Recovery Costs

COPD treatment takes a lot of time and even after hospital discharge, a fair amount of recuperation is needed. The patient may be on medications even during recuperation as well. So, it becomes crucial to check the cap on treatment and recovery costs that's covered in the health insurance plan.

 

Other Expense

There are insurance plans that cover alternative therapies and provide other benefits as well. Proper rest, therapy and rejuvenation helps in faster recovery, and hence it’s important to see whether the health insurance plan you are about to buy has any of these options or not. COPD health insurance coverage may or may not include miscellaneous expenditure.

 

How to Treat COPD

With the rapid increase in COPD in the past few years, it's important to take proper precautions and step out less in polluted ambience. While there's no everlasting treatment for COPD, it can be mitigated, controlled and managed. These are following common treatment types:

 

Oxygen Therapy

As COPD entails airway blockage and reduced oxygen in blood levels, assisted breathing and fixing oxygen supply is one common way to ensure balance of oxygen.

 

Medication

With the help of a nebulizer, certain drugs are administered to relax airway muscles.

 

In the most severe cases, surgery is the option. In case of extreme emphysema, the doctor surgically removes abnormal air space from lungs.

Steroids

Based on the severity of symptoms, the doctor may prescribe steroids to lessen the intensity of the disease.

 

Lifestyle Changes

Quitting smoking, regular exercise, nutritious diet and avoiding excessively polluted locations are some of the common lifestyle modifications often suggested by the doctor in case of respiratory conditions.

 

Conclusion:

Due to various factors like increased pollution and unhealthy lifestyle choices, COPD is taking a toll on our body. It’s a lethal condition if not diagnosed timely. Without health insurance, COPD treatment and hospitalization costs can be quite high. Thus, it’s vital to choose an affordable health insurance plan that provides comprehensive COPD coverage and has options like cashless claims. It must also bear the entire expense of hospitalization and recovery period. After thoughtful scrutiny, choose right health insurance that provides maximum coverage along with other benefits.