Top Health Insurance Plans for Women in India: Benefits , Features and Plans

Having health insurance regardless of gender is essential. However, gender plays a key role in health insurance with the introduction of varied gender-specific plans. The plans mentioned in this article reflect on how the problems related to lifestyle changes are also covered. A woman's body goes through different stages of change, for example, puberty, excessive hormonal changes, pregnancy, child care, and breastfeeding. Hence taking care of a woman’s health and her wellbeing should also be taken into consideration. Keeping in mind the health issues occurring to women today like thyroid, uterus cancer, fibroids, breast cancer, PCOD, and cervical cancer, it becomes all the more crucial for a woman to have health insurance so that she does not have to worry financially and can focus on her recovery.

Need for Health Insurance For Women

The need for health insurance for women is crucial as a woman goes through varied medical issues and stages. These are a few important needs to consider:-

• Gynecological concerns:- If a woman has a few gynecological concerns like PCOD, PCOS, pregnancy-related issues, cysts, etc. These concerns are critical and can be very complicated needing treatment or check-ups at any sudden time. These concerns are covered in the health insurance for women. The cost, treatment, surgeries, and diagnosis can be a worry for anyone, having insurance will help the member focus on their health rather than spend the time worrying.
  
  
• Critical Illness:- Illnesses like cervical, ovarian, and breast cancer, cyst or uterus removal, etc. are draining financially, physically, emotionally, and mentally. Health insurance, however, lends a hand financially which is a major burden with these treatments involving diagnosis, check-ups, chemotherapy, medicines, surgery, etc. All the costs also depend on the stage of the cancer or the urgency of a certain surgery. Pre- and post-op care is also included in the critical illness health insurance plans helping the beneficiary recover to their fullest. If they have insurance the member can solely focus on their recovery rather than worrying about the money aspect of things.
  
  
• Annual check-ups:- Every woman needs annual check-ups for their gynecological or any other medical concerns and that is also covered in major health insurance plans. 
  
  
• Lifestyle Changes:- With lifestyle changes like, food consumption, alcohol, smoking, sleeping issues, physical inactivity, mental illness, etc. are also leading causes of several new lifestyle-related health problems. Having adapted to the changes brings about these problems which are covered under health insurance reducing any financial burden.
  
  
• Rising concerns of women’s health:- Women now suffer from additional concerns which were minimal earlier, it also raises the importance of having health insurance. A few issues are, PCOD, obesity, thyroid, fibroids, anxiety, depression, hypertension, etc.  All these medical problems are covered under the women’s health insurance easing the burden.

Key Benefits of Health Insurance Plans for Women

Be it a homemaker or corporate worker, women can face health issues or unexpected accidents anywhere. Having Health Insurance Plans for Women offers financial security during medical emergencies. Here are a few more benefits of getting women’s health insurance coverage:

• Financial Freedom

In India, many women have become the bread earners for their families but still a large percentage of women are unemployed. They do not have any self-source of income to get proper medical treatment for their mental or physical health condition. Health Insurance plans for women guarantee financial freedom and security for a wide range of women-related medical problems. No matter whether you are an employed or unemployed female, these plans enable women to lead healthier lives by getting timely medical care without worrying about financial constraints.

• Maternity Coverage

Delivering a baby is not as simple as it sounds. Women undergo a lot of pain and financial stress during the entire pregnancy journey. From regular check-ups to hospitalization and medication, there are a lot of charges and fees that the family needs to bear. This can create a significant impact on the savings of the family. By getting a women's health insurance plan, you get coverage for your maternity expenses. Also, these policies offer other benefits that can reduce your financial stress.

• Preventive Care

Frequent vaccinations, regular health check-ups, routine screenings, etc., are healthcare measures essential for women. These procedures help detect illnesses before they escalate. But they also can increase financial burden if they happen regularly. There are various health insurance plans for women that offer preventive care coverage and empower women to control their health better.

• Critical Illness

Women even gain security for critical illnesses, such as ovarian cancer, vaginal cancer, breast cancer, etc. In some medical conditions, people require modern or advanced treatment. Having a health insurance plan provides coverage for the entire treatment cost and offers mental peace to the patient.

• Tax Benefits

Under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act of 1961, if a person pays the premium for a health insurance plan, he is eligible for tax benefits or deductions to a certain amount as per their selected plan. For self, spouse, children, and parents, a claim up to Rs. 25,000 is available, however, for senior citizen parents, it may be up to Rs. 50000.

Important Features to Look for in Health Insurance Plans for Women

Here are the following factors one must take into consideration when purchasing a Women's health insurance plan:

• Maternity Benefits

Having maternity benefits in your chosen plan will ease your financial burden. There are various benefits associated with maternity care, including hospitalization expenses, frequent health check-ups, pre-and postnatal care, etc. Some of these plans even include coverage for newborns and complications that arise during the pregnancy. Hence, saving from heavy maternity-related expenses​ and empowering women to prioritize their well-being.

• Cashless Hospitalisation

Another important aspect to look for in your insurance plan is support for cashless claim settlement. These claim procedures involve less paperwork and quick medical services, ideal for medical emergencies. Make sure your plan supports cashless hospitalisation as it can offer immediate financial relief.

• Emergency Ambulance Services

Quick and swift transport to the healthcare centre is highly crucial in case of emergency. If this feature is included in your plan, you can get coverage for ambulance services and rapid medical attention. Whether it is a critical health issue or pregnancy complication, this feature will offer faster access to medical care and save the situation.

• Pre-and Post-Hospitalisation Expenses

Apart from the hospitalisation expenses, a woman also needs to pay for doctor's consultations, medication, medical tests, etc. These expenses that happen before or after hospital admission can also cause a financial burden. Hence, ensure your selected women's health insurance coverage includes pre- and post-hospitalisation expenses.

Comparison of Top Health Insurance Plans for Women

Insurance Plan	Type	Coverage	Key Benefits	Unique Features
Star Women Care Insurance	Family Floater	Spouse, newborns, adopted children	Wellness programs, teleconsultations, coverage for family members, claim assistance	Comprehensive wellness program
Niva Bupa Aspire	Family Floater	Legal family members, newborns, adopted children	Maternity benefits, inflation-adjusted claims, 24-hour hospitalisation coverage	Multi-year policy option
Reliance Health Infinity	Family Floater	Spouse, children, adopted children	Global consultation, emergency ambulance services, coverage for modern treatments	AYUSH treatments
Star Assure Health Insurance	Individual/Family	Spouse, children	Critical illness coverage, emergency ambulance services, organ donation, wellness program	Foetal Surgery coverage
ICICI Health AdvantEdge	Family Floater	Spouse, children, adopted children	Global consultation, e-medicine access, pneumococcal vaccine coverage	Claim protector, co-payment option

Inclusion and Exclusion in Top Women's Health Insurance Plans

Here’s a quick comparison table on what’s covered under each plan:

Benefits	Star Women    Care	Niva Bupa Aspire	Reliance Health Infinity	Star Assure	ICICI Health AdvantEdge
Maternity Benefit	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Ante-Natal Care	Yes	No	No	Yes	No
Bariatric Surgery	Yes	No	No	No	Yes
Hospitalization Expense	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Ambulance Cost	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Pre- Post Operation	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Sum Insured	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Modern Treatment	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
AYUSH Treatment	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Organ Donor	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
In Utero Fetal Surgery	Yes	No	No	Yes	No
Coverage for Non-Medical terms	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
Outpatient Consultation	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
Health Check-ups	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Restoration of Sum Insured	Yes	No	No	Yes	No
Installment Options	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No
Surrogacy Cover	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
Renewal	20%	30%	30%	10%	20%
Global	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes

Conclusion

Having health insurance as a woman is very important with all the lifestyle changes. Every woman is going through problems that cause worry and burden which is resolved if they have health insurance. Health insurance will reassure all the members and any citizen willing to purchase a new policy financially. Having health insurance will lessen the burden and they can focus on their quality lives.

FAQs

Ques 1: Why choose a specific women-related health insurance plan?

Ans: Based on your requirement, you can choose from different sets of health insurance plans but the ones designed specifically for women cover the unique health needs of women. Breast cancer, ovarian cancer, or any other women-related critical illness get full coverage under women's health insurance plans. Additionally, it covers maternity, preventive healthcare expenses, and newborn baby care. Thus, offering financial security throughout different life stages​.

Ques 2: Can single women obtain benefits from health insurance?

Ans: The health insurance plans for women are designed for all types of women, whether they are married or unmarried, employed, or unemployed, etc. Even if you do not require maternity benefits right now, you have access to other health benefits, such as preventive care or critical illness.

Ques 3: Is there a minimum age requirement for buying health insurance for Women?

Ans: The age limit for health insurance plans may vary from insurer to insurer. Some may offer coverage at an early age while others may provide after a specific age. Make sure to look into different options that are appropriate for your age range.

Ques 4: Does Women's health insurance cover the costs of pregnancy?

Ans: Many women's insurance coverage plans offer coverage to maternity care and expenses. Make sure to go through your policy document and terms to understand the benefits and coverage extent.

Ques 5: Can I improve my existing health insurance plan?

Ans: Yes, you can apply for riders or add-ons to enhance your existing health insurance policy. You can customise it as per your requirements by upgrading features.

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Disclaimer: This article is issued in the general public interest and is meant for general information purposes only. Readers are advised not to rely on the contents of the article as conclusive and should research further or consult an expert in this regard.