Star Health Insurance

Star Health and Allied Insurance began its operations in 2006 and is India’s first standalone health insurance provider, offering a wide range of affordable health insurance products for individuals, families, and corporations. Since its establishment, Star Health has immensely grown its operations, with 835 branches across the country. Star Health Insurance plans cover policyholders' medical check-ups, AYUSH systems of medicines, critical illnesses, and hospitalization expenses.

What is Health Insurance?

Health insurance is a customised protection plan offered by general insurance companies in India. It financially protects you and your loved ones against unforeseen medical emergencies. Diseases and critical illnesses can happen at any time; therefore, purchasing a health plan is crucial for people of all ages. Star Health Insurance provides different types of health plans to cater to the unique needs of its customers.

Key Features of Star Health Insurance

Benefits of Buying Health Insurance with Star Health Insurance

You can choose Star Health Insurance plans to avail of the following benefits:

• Wide Network of Cashless Hospitals: Star Health Insurance has a wide number of network hospitals which is over 14,000. At these network hospitals, policyholders can avail of cashless treatment under their health insurance policy.
• In-House Claim Settlement: Star Health Insurance has an in-house claim settlement process that makes resolving your claim simple and fast.
• Timely Settlement Of Claims: Star Health Insurance claims to have settled 90% received health insurance claims in less than 2 hours.
• Wide Range Of Sum Insured Options: Health insurance plans offered by Star Health Insurance come with a wide range of sum insured options. You can choose the right sum insured for yourself and for your family on the basis of factors such as age, health history, current health, number of members covered under the plan, etc.
• Lifetime Renewability: There is no restriction such as maximum age for renewals under health insurance plans offered by Star Health. Thus, you can get your Star Health Insurance plan renewed anytime during your lifetime.
• Copayment: Copayment of 20% is applicable on each and every claim for people aged over 60 years at entry level and subsequent renewals.
• Waiting Period: Star Health Insurance Plans come with a waiting period of 30 days. Thus, policyholders have to wait for this duration to seek the benefits of their health plan.
• Pre-Existing Diseases: Policyholders with certain pre-existing diseases like diabetes, tuberculosis, and more are covered under the Star Health Insurance Plans after a certain waiting period.

Star Health Insurance Premium Calculation

A premium is an amount paid by policyholders to the insurer in exchange for health insurance coverage. With the help of the Star health insurance premium calculator, you will be able to get an estimate of the premium you need to pay toward your health insurance plan. The Star Health Insurance premium amount is determined on the basis of several factors.

• Health History: Your health history is one of the elements that affect the premium amount of your Star Health Insurance plan. If you have any pre-existing medical conditions, you will have to pay a higher premium. This is because in such cases, the insurance company faces higher chances of obligating a claim in comparison to policyholders who are fit and fine.
• Number of Members Covered: The premium amount for the Star Health policy would be less if you bought an individual health insurance plan. However, if you choose to add your other family members as floaters, you will have to pay a higher premium as you require more coverage.
• Age: As you age, you become more prone to diseases and hence have greater chances of making claims under the health insurance plans offered by Star Health. Therefore, you will have to pay higher premiums if you buy plans in your old age as compared to your young age.
• Sum Insured: You receive a larger coverage when you choose the higher sum assured Star Health Policy. As a result, you may have to pay a higher premium against your plan.
• Lifestyle: Unhealthy lifestyle habits like smoking, drinking, and others put an individual at great risk of getting diseases, resulting in higher chances of making claims. Therefore, you may have to pay a higher premium against your Star Health Insurance.

Types of Star Health Insurance Plans

Star Health offers a variety of health insurance plans to the policyholder. Some of the popular types of health insurance plans that you can buy with Star are as follows:

• Individual Health Insurance Plan: Individual health insurance plans are designed to meet the individual health insurance needs of policyholders.
• Family Health Insurance Plan: A family health insurance plan is designed in a way that provides coverage for all your family members under one single plan. Typically, family health insurance provides coverage for spouses, children, parents, and more.
• Senior Citizen Health Insurance Plan: Star Health Insurance also offers Senior Citizen health insurance plans which offer health insurance coverage to those who are 60 years and above.
• Indemnity Health Insurance Plans: This type of health insurance compensate the actual incurred treatment costs and medical expenses in case of both the cashless and reimbursement claim settlement processes. Policyholders can buy this plan either on an individual or family floater basis.
• Fixed Benefit Health Insurance Plans: Fixed benefit health insurance plans provide protection against critical illnesses. If the policyholder is diagnosed with a critical illness, Star Health Insurance pays a lump sum amount.
• Top-Up Health Insurance Plans: Top-up health insurance plans provide additional protection to policyholders in case their existing sum assured is exhausted during the policy tenure.

Popular Star Health Insurance Plans

To meet the health insurance needs of policyholders, Star Health offers different health insurance plans, such as those listed in the table below:

Diabetes Safe Insurance Plan

• Policyholders can buy this plan in two variants: Plan A and Plan B.
• Pre-medical examination to purchase the plan is necessary for Plan A. However, it is not mandatory in Plan B.
• The coverage can be bought as an individual or family floater.
• A grace period of 30 days to renew the existing insurance plan.
• Free lookup period of 15 days to review the terms and conditions of the plan.

Super Surplus Health Insurance

• The plan is available on an individual and family floater basis.
• It is available in two variants- gold and silver plan options.
• The plan provides maternity coverage up to a specific limit.
• All day-care procedures are covered under the policy.
• Pre-existing diseases are covered after the waiting period of 36 months.

Star Cardiac Care Insurance Plan

• The plan can be bought in two variants- silver and gold.
• All daycare treatment procedures are covered under this health insurance plan.
• Pre-hospitalisation expenses up to 30 days before getting admitted to the hospital are covered.
• Pre-existing diseases are covered after the waiting period of 91 days.
• A free look-up period of 15 days is available. Policyholders can review the terms and conditions of their policy and cancel it if they are dissatisfied with it.

Star Comprehensive Insurance Policy

• The plan provides coverage up to Rs. 1 crore to policyholders.
• No age restrictions on the exit age of the policyholders.
• The waiting period for pre-existing diseases is 3 years.
• Policyholders can pay a premium in monthly, quarterly, and half-yearly installments.
• Alternative treatment methods like AYUSH are also covered under the policy.
• Newborn baby coverage is available.

Senior Citizen Red Carpet Insurance Plan

• You can buy on both a family and individual basis.
• The waiting period for pre-existing diseases is 12 months.
• Policyholders can select from a wide range of sum-assured options.
• It is not necessary to undergo a pre-medical examination.
• A free-look-up period of 15 days to cancel the health insurance plan.

Family Health Optima Insurance Plan

• It is a family health insurance plan that will ensure financial protection against medical ailments for you and your loved ones.
• Policyholders can get coverage up to the sum assured of Rs. 25 lakhs.
• The plan comes with a lifelong policy renewal option.
• The plan provides coverage for pre-existing conditions after 48 months of the policy.
• Sum assured recharge benefits are available if the existing sum assured exhausts during the policy tenure.

Medi Classic Insurance Plan

• Policyholders can select from different sum assured options.
• Daycare procedures are covered under the policy.
• You can purchase plans for 1, 2, or 3 policy tenures.
• Premiums can be paid in monthly, quarterly, or half-yearly installments.
• 15-days free look-up period to cancel their health insurance plan.

Star Arogya Sanjeevni Insurance Plan

• The plan provides financial protection to policyholders at affordable premiums.
• Copayment of 5% is applicable on each health insurance claim.
• Hassle-free and quick claim settlement process
• You can port Star Arogya Sanjeevni Insurance Plan to any other Star Health Insurance Plan
• Enjoy tax benefits on premiums paid under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act, 1961.

Star Outpatient Care Insurance Plan

• The plan is available in three variants- silver, gold, and platinum.
• The waiting period ranges from 12 months to 48 months, depending on the variant you choose.
• This health insurance plan comes with a lifelong renewal option.
• Cashless treatment benefits are available at 9900+ hospitals across India.
• Premiums paid-for health insurance plans are tax-free under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act, 1961.

Star Hospital Cash Insurance Policy

• The plan can be bought in two variants: basic and enhanced plans.
• You can either select individual coverage or family floater coverage to cover your family under a single insurance plan.
• The policy tenures are 1, 2, and 3 years. You can select the one that suits your needs.
• The waiting period for pre-existing diseases is 2 years for a basic plan and 3 years for an enhanced plan.
• 10 daycare procedures are covered under the policy.

Young Star Insurance Policy

• The plan is available in two variants- gold and silver.
• Expenses incurred due to health check-ups are covered under the plan.
• Automatic restoration of the sum assured up to 100% is available.
• No room rent capping, resulting in treatment in an AC room without worrying about expenses.
• Avail tax benefits under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
• You can cover up to five members under the family floater Young Star Health Insurance Plan.

Star Micro Rural and Farmers Care

• The plan provides insurance coverage to people in rural areas at an affordable premium.
• The plan comes with a lifelong renewal option.
• Policyholders can claim their health insurance plan directly without any third-party administrator involvement.
• The plan provides coverage for all daycare procedures.
• Cataract treatment expenses are covered under this health plan.

Star Women Care Insurance Policy

• It is a customised health insurance plan that provides comprehensive coverage for female policyholders.
• Policyholders can get coverage up to Rs. 1 crore.
• No pre-medical examination is required to purchase the plan.
• The waiting period for pre-existing diseases is 24 months.
• The plan provides maternity coverage.
• Tax benefits are offered on premiums paid as per prevailing terms of the Income Tax Act, of 1961.

Star Health Assure Insurance Policy

• The policy can be bought on an individual or family floater basis.
• The policy terms are 1, 2, or 3 years, along with a lifetime renewability option.
• Premiums can be paid in quarterly or half-yearly installments.
• Air ambulances and homecare treatment are covered under the policy.
• Alternative treatment methods such as AYUSH are covered.
• Pre-hospitalization, post-hospitalization, and domiciliary hospitalization are covered.

Network Hospitals of Star Health Insurance

A network hospital works in association with an insurance company to offer cashless treatment to policyholders. Star Health Insurance has tie-ups with over 14,000 network hospitals across the country. The policyholder can locate and visit these Star Health network hospitals for cashless treatment. All you need to do is inform your insurer about your hospitalization, and the hospital will directly settle the hospital treatment bills with them.

Star Health Insurance Claim Settlement Ratio

Star Health Insurance offers a quick and easy claim settlement process for its customers. The company has a claim settlement ratio of 90%, making it one of the best insurance companies in India. The policyholders of Star Health Insurance can claim their health insurance plan in two ways: cashless claim settlement or reimbursement claim settlement. Read on to find out the process you need to follow in each claim settlement process.

Factors Affecting Star Health Insurance Premium

There are a number of factors that affects the Star Health insurance premium such as those listed below:

• Coverage: Depending on the coverage you opt for the Star Health insurance premium will vary. For instance, the premium of a health insurance plan with Rs. 10 lakh coverage is higher as compared to that offering coverage of Rs. 5 lakhs.
• Pre-existing Disease: The premium of a health insurance plan also varies depending on the pre-existing medical conditions. People with pre-existing conditions are at higher risk of health problems and thus their health insurance premium is higher.
• Age: The health insurance premium is also largely dependent on age. The more the age, the more will be the Star Health insurance premium.
• Lifestyle: The lifestyle of an individual also affects the health insurance premium. If you are a smoker and consume alcohol on a daily basis, then the health insurance premium will be higher in that case.
• Add-ons: The more add-ons you include in your Star health insurance plan, the higher will be your health insurance premium.

Tips to Reduce Star Health Insurance Premium

Listed below are some of the tips on which Star health insurance premiums can be reduced:

• You should ideally buy health insurance at an early age. For example, if you buy health insurance when you are 40 years of age as compared to when you are 30s, then the health insurance premium will be higher for individuals who are of 40 years age.
• You must keep your deductibles higher which will in turn affect your health insurance premium.
• The premium of a long-term health insurance plan is higher as compared to that of a short-term health insurance plan.
• You must opt for a family health insurance plan as compared to individual health insurance plans as the premium of family health insurance plans are lower and provides coverage for all.

Inclusions and Exclusions of the Star Health Insurance Plan

Here is a list of some things that are covered and not covered under the Star Health Policy.

What is Covered?

• In-patient Hospitalisation Expenses: Health insurance plans offered by Star Health Insurance cover you against in-patient hospitalisation expenses incurred due to hospitalisation because of any illness, sickness, disease, or accident.
• Pre-hospitalisation And Post-hospitalisation Expenses: Pre-hospitalization and post-hospitalization expenses are covered for up to 90 and 180 days, respectively, under Star Health insurance plans.
• AYUSH Treatments: Star Health insurance plans offer cover for expenses related to AYUSH systems of medicines. These include Ayurveda, Unaani, Siddha, and Homeopathy.
• Ambulance Cover: In the case that you require medical attention, Star Health Insurance policies cover you against emergency ambulance expenses.
• Daycare Procedures: Under health insurance plans offered by Star Health Insurance, you can seek treatment for daycare procedures. These are procedures that require hospitalization for less than 24 hours. For instance, chemotherapy, radiation, dialysis, and cataracts
• Orgon Donor Expenses: Star Health provides coverage for expenses incurred due to organ donors.

What is Not Covered?

• Cosmetic Surgery: Treatments related to cosmetic surgery are not covered under health insurance plans offered by Star Health Insurance.
• Self-Inflicted Injuries: Self-inflicted injuries, such as those suffered during a suicide attempt, are not covered by Star Health Insurance plans.
• Injuries Due To Participation In Adventure Sports: Expenses arising due to participation in adventure sports activities such as mountain climbing, paragliding, etc. are not covered under Star Health Insurance plans.
• Illness Due to Use of Intoxicating Substances: Star Health Insurance does not cover any treatment that may be required as a result of the use of intoxicating substances. These may include drugs, alcoholism, smoking, and tobacco chewing.
• Weight Control Treatments: Star Health Insurance Plans do not cover expenses incurred on weight control and surgical procedures, including bariatric surgery or obesity treatment.

Tax Benefits Under Health Insurance

Health insurance plan allows you to save money on taxes. To put it simply, according to Section 80D of the Income Tax Act, policyholders are eligible for tax deductions for the premium paid towards health insurance. Additionally, you can claim tax deductions for expenses incurred due to preventive health check-ups.

How to Buy/Renew Star Health Insurance Plans Online?

Listed below are the steps in which you can buy or renew your Star Health Insurance plan online:

• Go to health insurance tab on InsuranceDekho
• Enter details such as age, gender, name, email id, and other details
• You will be redirected to health insurance quotes page, from where you need to select Star health insurance
• Select a desired health insurance plan and continue with entering further details
• Proceed with the premium payment of Star health insurance
• Once the payment is completed, you will receive the policy details on your registered email id

Why Buy Health Insurance with InsuranceDekho?

There are several benefits of buying a health insurance plan with InsuranceDekho such as those listed below:

• With InsuranceDekho, you get the option to select from a number of available health insurance plans. So, based on your requirements and budget, select a desired Star health insurance plan.
• At InsuranceDekho, your health insurance policy gets issued in a matter of few minutes by entering a few details.
• The claim settlement process with InsuranceDekho is quite quick. Moreover, offering 24*7 customer service, you will get a quick response when you buy health insurance with InsuranceDekho.

Star Health Insurance's Cashless Claim Settlement Process

Reach Network Hospital: Visit the insurance desk at a network hospital. Intimately contact Star Health Insurance by calling them at 1800 425 2255/ 1800 102 4477 or dropping them an email at support@starhealth.in

• Show Your Star Health ID Card: At the reception of the network hospital, show your health ID card for your Star Health Insurance Policy.
• Submit Necessary Documents: Provide all the necessary documents that are required for pre-admission investigations and consultations at the hospital.
• Document Verification: Star Health will verify all the documents submitted by you before processing your claim request. In some cases, an agent may also be sent to the hospital for verification of the documents.
• Settlement of Claim: Once you get discharged, the network hospital will send claim documents to Star Health Insurance. Therefore, a network hospital will directly settle a claim with an insurance company.

Star Health Insurance’s Reimbursement Claim Settlement Process

In this claim settlement process, the policyholder can visit the hospital of their choice. Get treatment and pay medical bills from your own pocket. After that, fill out the Star Health reimbursement claim form and submit it with all the necessary documents attached to it.

Documents Required To Claim Star Health Insurance Plans

Here’s a list of documents that you need in the reimbursement claim settlement process for Star Health Insurance.

• Copy of Star Health ID Card
• Duly filled claim form
• Original discharge summary received from the hospital
• Papers related to pre-admission investigations and doctor’s consultation
• Medical reports (X-ray, blood tests, scans, etc.)
• Invoices and prescriptions from the pharmacy
• Receipts from the chemist as well as hospital
• FIR and/or Medico Legal Certificate in case of an accident
• A copy of the KYC documents
• NEFT details, email ID, and contact details

How To Contact Star Health Insurance?

If you have any questions related to your health insurance plan claims, renewals, and more, you can contact the Star Health Insurance Plan with the below-mentioned details:

Policyholders can also locate and visit the nearest Star Health Insurance branch office in case of any further assistance.

How to Port to a Star Health Insurance Plan?

Health insurance policyholders of other insurance companies can port their plans to Star Health Insurance online in the comfort of their homes. Here’s a step-by-step guide you need to follow:

• Visit the official website of InsuranceDekho.
• Select the Star Health Insurance Plan you want to purchase.
• Fill out the portability and proposal forms. Submit them with the necessary documents.
• Include add-ons if you want to extend the coverage of your base health insurance plan.
• Pay a premium online to complete the process.

Once this process is complete, the portability request will be sent to the insurer. The company can accept or reject your request within 15/30 days.

Benefits of Purchasing Star Health Insurance at an Early Age

Following are the benefits of purchasing the Star Health Insurance Plan at an early age:

• Low Premium: Policyholders age significantly impacts the premium for health insurance plans. Younger individuals might have to pay a lower premium in comparison to older ones. This is because people at an early age are less vulnerable to diseases.
• No Pre-Medical Examination: When you purchase Star Health Insurance at an early age, you don’t have to undergo a pre-medical examination. However, if you have any pre-existing conditions, ensure that you disclose them to the insurer.
• Combat Waiting Period: Another advantage of purchasing Star Health Insurance at an early age is that you can complete the waiting period at a young age. This will ensure that if any medical emergency arises in your old age, you don’t have to wait to claim your insurance policy.
• No Claim Bonus: Health insurance companies provide attractive discounts and rebates to policyholders for not making any claims during a policy year. The no-claim bonus can help you reduce the premium for your health insurance plan.
• Extensive Choice of Plans: Health plans come with a maximum age limit. Therefore, when you purchase health insurance at an early age, you have the choice to select between the many plans offered by the company.
• Co-payment: When you purchase a health insurance plan at an early age, you need not make any co-payment at the time of claim settlement.

Why Should You Buy Health Insurance?

Following are the benefits of purchasing a health insurance plan:

• Cashless Treatment: Purchasing a health insurance plan will help you avail of the best medical care without worrying about the expenses. During medical emergencies, all you need to do is visit the network hospital of the health insurance company, get the treatment, and claim your health insurance policy later on.
• Financial Assistance: Health insurance policyholders get financial assistance in case of unfortunate medical emergencies. You can buy family floater health insurance to secure yourself and your loved ones under a single insurance plan.
• Lifestyle Changes: With numerous lifestyle changes, individuals are now more vulnerable to illnesses. Sometimes treatment for these diseases might be a financial burden for you and your loved ones. Therefore, if you are covered under a health insurance plan, you won’t have to worry about paying hefty medical bills from your own pocket.
• Medical Inflation: Another reason to buy health insurance is that it helps you combat medical inflation. No matter how much inflation happens in the healthcare sector, you won’t have to worry about expenses.
• Tax Benefits: Purchasing health insurance helps you save on taxes. Policyholders can avail of tax benefits under Section 80C and Section 80D of the Income Tax Act, 1961.

What Is A Health Insurance Top-up Plan and Why Should You Buy It?

A health insurance top-up plan provides additional coverage to policyholders on their existing plan. These plans pay for medical expenditures incurred as a result of a single illness that exceeds the sum insured in your existing policy. Thus, a top-up health insurance plan helps you increase coverage at a reasonable premium.

Star Health Insurance offers the Star Super Surplus Insurance Policy as a top-up plan that you can purchase on an individual or floater basis for extended coverage of your base health insurance policy. All daycare procedures, organ donation expenses, pre-hospitalization and post-hospitalization expenses, and air ambulance expenses are covered under this plan.

Here’s a rundown on why you should purchase a Star Health Policy with a top-up feature.

• Extended Coverage: Top-up health insurance plans provide wide coverage to policyholders. During treatment, if the treatment cost exceeds the sum assured limit, you can top-up your Star Health Insurance plan.
• Affordable Premiums: Another reason to buy a Star Health Top-up Policy is that you have to pay affordable premiums. However, if you purchase a health insurance policy, you may have to pay a higher premium for coverage.
• Financial Stability: During medical emergencies, you won’t have to worry about paying treatment expenses from your own pocket, even if your medical costs exceed the sum assured limit. All you need to do is buy the Star Health Top-Up Insurance Plan.
• Tax Benefits: Star Health Insurance policyholders are eligible for a tax exemption on a premium paid under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act.

Key Factors To Consider Before Purchasing Health Insurance

Health insurance is an important asset to secure the future of ourselves and our loved ones. Therefore, when purchasing health insurance, it is important that you compare different options and select the most suitable one. Some of the factors that you need to consider when purchasing a health plan are as follows:

• Claim Settlement Process: This is one of the most important factors that you need to consider when purchasing health insurance. Check the claim settlement ratio of the company. Select the insurer with a high claim settlement ratio to ensure a smooth and seamless claim settlement process.
• Ratings And Reviews of the Insurer: Another important factor that you should consider is the ratings and reviews of the insurer. This is to ensure that you are financially protected against medical ailments that might cause trouble for you.
• Type of Health Insurance: Health insurance companies in India offers different types of plans such as individual health plan, comprehensive health plan, and more. Therefore, analyse your family's health and needs carefully before choosing the right health insurance plan to purchase.
• Network Hospital: To enjoy seamless cashless claim settlement, you must check the number of network hospitals associated with a health insurance company. Select the insurer with a high number of network hospitals.
• Renewability Option: Another major factor is to check the renewability criteria of the plan. Select the plan that provides a lifetime renewability option to policyholders.
• Inclusions and Exclusions: Check the inclusions and exclusions offered by the insurer under a health insurance plan. Select the plan that provides maximum coverage at affordable premiums.
• Waiting Period: It is a period of time when you have to wait to claim your health insurance plan. Policyholders with pre-existing diseases might have to serve a higher waiting period. Therefore, compare different plans to buy the plan that ensures protection for you and your family in a low waiting period.