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The last two years have seen a noticeable change in India's fintech space, not just how individuals manage money, but even how they think about health insurance. A secondary consideration earlier, has become a norm in financial planning today, and the game-changer is the ₹10 lakh cover for health insurance. It's not a figure; it's a workable solution to increasing medical expenses and evolving consumer behaviour.
With insurance made available online and medical bills at record highs, young working professionals, families, and even start-up workers are flocking towards full-fledged, online health coverage. Of the numerous options, the ₹10 lakh cover has emerged as an affordable alternative.
In India, where out of pocket medical treatment is one of the main reasons for financial burden, a 10 lakh health insurance policy is a much-needed financial buffer. Whether it is a scheduled surgery, an incident of emergency hospital stay, or a prolonged period of treatment, this cover can prevent financial disruption.
Individuals are no longer seeking minimum-basis coverage. They need one that covers actual healthcare expenses in private hospitals. A ₹3 or ₹5 lakh policy may have been sufficient in the past, but it is no longer adequate today. With the medical inflation figuring around 14% a year, ₹10 lakh is what is becoming the new safety net.
The expenditure on Indian medical treatment has spiralled out of control, particularly at private hospitals. A one-night stay for a serious condition like cancer, heart disease, or major surgery can cost a person upwards of ₹7–8 lakh. Throw in diagnostic investigations, medicines, post-hospitalisation treatment, and consults, and the bill can easily exceed ₹10 lakh in a few days.
This is where the worth of a 10 lakh medical insurance policy comes in. It gives sufficient space to cope with these rising bills without the necessity of venturing into savings or personal loans. The goal is straightforward – treatment without sacrifice.
Digitally enabled, cost-conscious, and cautious – that's the new generation leading this change. They now view insurance as an integral part of their financial arsenal. And while purchasing health cover, they want the best protection with no minimum premiums.
The click of a button and people are able to compare policies, verify coverage, read policy conditions, and purchase an online policy for ₹10 lakh. This has demystified insurance to the extent that what was complicated and time-consuming is now convenient and easy.
10 lakh health insurance policies of today are no longer all the same. They have features that can be tailored to provide add-ons such as:
● Room rent waivers
● Newborn and maternity cover
● OPD benefits
● Day-care procedures
● No claim bonus (NCB) enhancements
● Restoration of the sum insured
These add-on covers allow policyholders to customise their plans as per family constitution, age, health record, and lifestyle.
The COVID-19 pandemic changed the perceptions about health and financial preparedness. More people are now conscious that medical emergencies are unpredictable and expensive. A ₹5 lakh policy will not even suffice to cover hospitalisation for a few days in an intensive care unit.
So, ₹10 lakh is emerging as the new minimum for decent health cover. People are thinking long term – they are planning for not one hospitalization, but for a lifetime of hospitalizations and lifestyle diseases.
It is mostly the employee-sponsored health cover. As convenient as they may seem, these group plans have their limitations. The sum insured is typically ₹2–5 lakh, and the cover ceases once the individual loses employment. It doesn't even consider family members' requirements or pre-existing conditions.
Which is why individuals are looking towards their own 10 lakh health policy – something that accompanies them as they move from job to job, offers wider cover, and offers more control over policy conditions.
A ₹10 lakh cover not only gives peace of mind – it comes with tax savings as well. Premiums for health insurance are deductible from income under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act. For individuals and families, this can reduce taxable income by up to ₹25,000 or more, depending on age and family composition.
This makes health insurance a win-win proposition – money protection plus tax savings in one.
The 10 lakh health insurance mania is not a trend but a rational response to the times. Exorbitant hospital charges, ease of the internet, increasing health consciousness, and financial sense have converted this cover amount into the new normal among Indian middle-class and urban families.
In a world of fintech where all financial steps are backed by data and enabled by digital, health insurance is no longer a check-box – it is a necessity. The ₹10 lakh cover is the best in terms of cost and protection in a smart way, giving families the kind of cover that they so badly require now.
Selecting the best health insurance is not all about medical costs. It's also about protecting your health, your finances, and your peace of mind – in a single policy.
This content is provided by an external author without editing by Finextra. It expresses the views and opinions of the author.
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