Countries across the globe have reported millions of coronavirus(COVID-19) patients. India is also affected by this pandemic with lakhs of people infected. This disease spreads through droplets or close contact with an infected person.
The number of cases are rising day by day. Here is what you can do to protect yourself and your family from this disease:
- Wash your hands with soap and water frequently
- Avoid touching eyes, mouth, and nose
- Do not venture out of your home unless necessary
- Wear a mask and gloves when leaving the house
- Stay away from crowded places
- Strengthenyour immune system with foods like ginger, turmeric, and fresh fruits and vegetables
- Be active and exercise daily
During the pandemic, you may want to know if the benefits of your mediclaim are available for this infection. Given the situation, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) has instructed insurers to offer health insurance for coronavirus and expedite handling of claims from infected patients.
If you have still not availed of insurance coverage, here are three reasons to not delay any further:
- High treatment costs
The treatment expenses for COVID-19 are steep, especially if you are admitted to a private facility. Moreover, the recovery period is longer and the treatment may take time when you need admission to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and/or are put on a ventilator. Paying for these costs without COVID-19 health cover may cause severe financial distress.
- No waiting period
There is no waiting period to claim benefits in case you test positive for coronavirus and require hospitalization. The only waiting tenure is the first 30 days from the date of issuing of the policy.
- Cashless facility available
You can avail of cashless health insurance benefits when you get treatment within a network hospital. This means you do not have to worry about admission expenses, medicine costs, and other charges. In case the treatment is not done at a network hospital, you may claim reimbursement under the coronavirus health insurance policy.
Presently, according to the standard treatment procedure, suspected patients are isolated and treated in outpatient facilities. In case of a COVID-19 diagnosis, your medical insurance will pay the pre- and post-hospitalization expenses as per the terms and conditions of the policy.
As the spread of this disease is quick and vaccination is still some time away, you must follow the dos and don’ts to prevent infection. As Unlock 1.0 is underway, you need to adhere to personal hygiene and maintain social distancing.
You must focus on preventing the disease, but covering potential expenses with a mediclaim is equally important. Such an insurance plan will prove handy and safeguard your savings during a medical urgency.
