| You realize the importance of having health insurance | | | | Lacs while now, he is getting a cover that is triple the |
| in times of rising medical bills and expensive new | | | | amount. This situation holds good for most of the |
| forms of treatments and get yourself and your | | | | age brackets. |
| family covered in a health insurance policy - only to | | | | But the thing to note here is an amount called as |
| realize that the insured amount is insufficient. This is | | | | ‘threshold level' also known as ‘compulsory |
| what Mr. Sharma realized, here is how it happened. | | | | deductible' amount. This amount is the level above |
| Mr. Sharma bought a health insurance policy in year | | | | which the top up can be utilized for paying the |
| 2000 worth Rs. 3 lakh for his family of four, his wife, | | | | expenses. For example, for a 10 lakh top up amount, |
| his son and his mother thinking that it was an | | | | the compulsory deductible amount is Rs. 3 lakh, the |
| adequate cover. Then this year (2010) his mother | | | | top up amount will only pay for expenses that go |
| had to undergo a knee replacement surgery for her | | | | above Rs. 3 lakh. Once the expenses exceed Rs. 3 |
| persistent knee problem and since 4 year waiting | | | | Lacs, the total expenses upto an additional Rs. 10 |
| period had already passed, the treatment was | | | | Lacs will be paid. What this means is that, the |
| covered. The cost of treatment was Rs. 1. 5 lakhs | | | | Company providing the Top up cover will not require |
| and Mr. Sharma was thankful that his claim could | | | | proof of your having a basic cover of Rs. 3 Lacs. It is |
| be settled by his insurance company. | | | | simply that, their cover will pay from the Rs. 3 Lacs |
| However the same year, he suffered a heart attack | | | | and first rupee irrespective of the first Rs. 3 Lacs is |
| and had to undergo a bypass surgery for Rs. 3 lakhs. | | | | covered under insurance or not. |
| Now, Mr. Sharma was in a fix since the insurance | | | | What is Super top up? |
| company paid only half the amount of charges (being | | | | Super top up is also like a top up policy the only |
| the balance amount in his policy), he had to strain his | | | | difference is that for a top up policy, the expenses |
| finances to shell out the other half. He realized then | | | | for a single treatment should be over the threshold |
| that just having health insurance is not enough, | | | | while in a Super top up, the total amount of |
| having adequate health insurance cover is also | | | | expenses in a year needs to go above the threshold |
| essential. | | | | level for the policy to be effective. |
| Similarly you could also face a tricky situation in case | | | | For example: In case of Mr. Sharma, a top up of Rs. |
| the expenses for a hospitalization go beyond your | | | | 10 lakh will be ineffective as the cost of both his |
| cover amount or if you have multiple hospitalizations | | | | bypass and his mother's knee replacement is under |
| in one year. In such a case, in spite of having a | | | | Rs. 3 lakh. But if Mr. Sharma opts for a super top up, |
| cover, you will have to shell out money from your | | | | since the cost of treatment in the year comes to Rs. |
| pocket. | | | | 4.5 lakh, the additional Rs. 1.5 lakh will be paid by the |
| You need additional cover if: | | | | company providing the Super top up. |
| There is no way to know if you have an inadequate | | | | Thus between Top-up and Super top up, Super top |
| cover but you certainly need additional cover if one | | | | up is more beneficial for the customer. |
| or more of the following is true: | | | | Now for the details of the policy: There are currently |
| - You have covered your parents in your family | | | | three companies that provide a top up policy- United |
| floater policy. | | | | India insurance, Bajaj Allianz and Star health. Out of |
| - You and your spouse are over 50 and are covered | | | | these only United India insurance has a super top up |
| in one policy. | | | | plan. |
| - If you are over 45 and have a cover amount less | | | | General conditions of the policy are as follows- |
| than 3 lakh for individual policy and Rs. 6 lakh for | | | | - You can take a Top up plan or a Super top up for |
| family floater. | | | | an individual or as a family floater. |
| Top-up and Super top-up to your Rescue | | | | - There is a waiting period of 4 years for pre-existing |
| Traditionally the answer to finding yourself an | | | | ailments cover with all the companies. |
| additional cover was buying another health insurance | | | | - No expense will be covered till 30 days of |
| policy that will add up to a sufficient amount or | | | | buying health insurance policy. |
| increasing the Sum Insured under your existing policy. | | | | - All expenses should be above the threshold limit for |
| However the problem was paying for another policy | | | | it to be payable. |
| or increasing the Sum Insured would prove to be too | | | | - You can buy a top up policy even if you don't have |
| expensive. Thus grew the need for a top-up plan. | | | | a health insurance policy covering the first level |
| What is a Top-up Plan? | | | | expenses. |
| Top-up is a policy that provides an additional cover to | | | | - Pre and post hospitalization charges will be payable |
| add to your existing cover in a very economical way. | | | | if the claim amount is above the threshold limit for |
| For example Mr. Sharma can take a Star Super | | | | Top up policies. |
| surplus top up of Rs. 10 lakh for just Rs. 5700 for his | | | | To know more about Top- Up your Health Insurance |
| entire family on a floater basis. This amount is almost | | | | Policy! |
| equal to his premium for his original cover of Rs. 3 | | | | |