Health Insurance Renewal – Here Is Everything You Need to Know

Health insurance is more than just a financial product; it is a commitment to safeguarding the health and well-being of yourself and your loved ones. As critical as selecting the right policy is the process of renewing it. This detailed guide dives into the multiple aspects of renewing your health insurance. From understanding the benefits of timely renewal to guidance on choosing premiums, grace periods, and online renewal processes, this comprehensive guide covers it all.

Health Insurance Renewal and Benefits

Health insurance renewal is an essential annual procedure that ensures uninterrupted access to medical coverage. Through this process, policyholders can extend their insurance terms, maintaining crucial benefits such as compensation for routine medical bills and significant illness care, and retain accrued benefits like no claim bonus. Health insurance renewal also emphasises the financial stability it offers, acting as a consistent safeguard for your family in unexpected medical situations.

How to Renew Health Insurance Policy Online?

Renewing health insurance online is a simple and hassle-free process. Here's how you can renew your health insurance:

Visit the Insurer’s Website: Navigate to the website of your insurance provider.

Login: Enter your username and password.

Choose the Policy: Select the mediclaim policy you want to renew.

Enter Details: Provide your current policy number, expiry date, and other relevant information.

Make Payment: Pay through net banking/credit/debit card.

Confirmation: Receive a renewed policy via e-mail.

What is the Premium for Health Insurance Renewal?

The premium for health insurance renewal is the amount you pay to continue your health insurance coverage for another policy term. It is a predetermined sum that must be paid to the insurance company to keep your policy active, often on an annual basis. This amount can vary based on several factors, including the type of coverage, the sum assured, the insured's age, medical history, and any changes made to the policy during renewal. If the premium is not paid by the due date, there may be a grace period, but failure to pay within that time frame can lead to the policy lapsing, causing a loss of benefits and coverage. Premiums for renewal are essential to understand, as they might differ from the original premium, especially if there have been changes in the healthcare industry, regulatory guidelines, or individual policy terms and conditions.

Grace Period Benefits During Health Insurance Renewal

Grace periods are crucial during insurance renewal. They offer extra time to renew your policy after the expiry date without losing your existing benefits. However, the grace period may vary between insurers and usually includes non-working days.

Understanding the Grace Period: Knowing the exact grace period helps in timely mediclaim policy renewal.

Utilising Grace Period: Use the grace period if you miss the expiry date but be cautious as some benefits may be lost.

Being Proactive: Ideally, you should renew health insurance 15 days before the expiry to avoid reliance on the grace period.

Tips to Renew Health Insurance Online

Here are some valuable tips to successfully renew health insurance plan online:

Review Your Policy:

Before diving into renewal, take a step back and assess your current policy. Understand what it covers, the limitations, and whether it still suits your and your family's health needs. Changes in life circumstances such as marriage, having children, or significant health changes may warrant a revision in your coverage.

Compare Other Plans:

Don't hesitate to shop around. If you find yourself unsatisfied with your current policy or believe there might be a better option available, take the time to compare plans from different insurers. Look at aspects like coverage, exclusions, premiums, and customer service. There might be a plan that offers better value or aligns more closely with your needs.

Utilise Portability:

Did you know you can switch insurers without losing the benefits of your current policy? Portability allows you to transfer your existing policy, including all the accrued benefits, like no claim bonus, to a new insurer. If you find a better plan elsewhere, explore this option, but ensure you understand the porting process and the terms involved.

Update Medical History:

Honesty is the best policy, especially when it comes to your health insurance. Inform your insurer about any new illnesses or changes in your medical condition since your last renewal. This ensures transparency and can prevent potential issues during a claim process.

Check for Discounts:

Many insurers offer discounts for early renewal or online renewal. These incentives can save you money on your premiums. Ask your insurer about any available discounts or explore their website to find these offers.

Consider Add-Ons:

Depending on your health situation and financial goals, you might want to consider add-ons or riders that provide additional coverage. Whether it is accidental coverage or coverage for specific illnesses, these add-ons can provide an extra layer of protection.

Familiarise Yourself with Renewal Procedure:

Knowing the step-by-step process of renewing online can make the process smooth and error-free. Keep necessary information like your policy number, expiry date, and other relevant details handy.

Update Your Personal Information

Ensuring that your contact information is up-to-date is essential for smooth communication with your insurer.

Essential Things to Keep in Mind When Renewing Your Health Insurance Plan

Include Additional Family Members:

Should the insured want to add more family members to the policy after a certain time, this can be done at renewal. Policyholders may also remove members or modify terms at this time. For example, a person wanting to extend coverage to parents on a family floater policy, which already includes self, spouse, and children, may do so during renewal.

Notify Your Legal Heir:

After renewing your health insurance, make sure your spouse and legal heirs know about any alterations or updates. Keep the receipt in a secure location, accessible by your family if needed, and have a copy ready for your tax records. Organising and maintaining all these documents properly provides essential peace of mind for you and your family in emergencies.

The Health Insurance renewal dos and don’ts

Here’s everything you need to know:

• When is the right time for health insurance renewal?
• Ideally, it is suggested to renew your health insurance policy 15 days before the date of the expiry of the current policy. Some insurance companies offer a grace period. But this clause may vary from insurer to insurer and includes non-working days.
• Some insurance companies might send you a reminder close to the date of renewal. However, they are not liable to intimate you or send a reminder. A better practice is to stay alert with regards to the expiry date of your health insurance policy.
• What happens to your policy if it is not renewed during the grace period?
• Your policy lapses, i.e., it does not exist anymore. After your policy lapses, it’s not valid or applicable.
• It cannot be renewed at all. You will have to apply for a new health insurance policy.
• You lose all the benefits of a lapsed policy. i.e., no claim bonus, reduced waiting period, etc.
• After the lapse of your policy, you will have no other choice other than buying a new health insurance policy and having to go through all the formalities like a first-timer – 3 months waiting period for the policy for activation, 2 to 5 years of waiting period to avail certain benefits specified under the plan, and most importantly regular health check-ups. You will have to undergo all the medical examinations once again.
• How to renew health insurance?            
• You can renew your health insurance online from the comfort of your home or the convenience of your office. It’s the simplest and fastest way.
• On the online renewal form of the insurer’s website, you have to fill in some quick details like current policy number, date of expiry, etc.
• After this, you have to pay the first premium of the renewed policy through net banking/ credit card/ debit card.
• Upon receiving the payment, your insurer will send you a signed copy of the renewed policy via e-mail along with a new set of username and password that will be applicable for the renewed policy henceforth.
• Things to keep in mind during health insurance renewal:
• It is not necessary or compulsory to continue with the same insurance company. If you find a better service or plan elsewhere, you can shift your policy to your desired company. You can change it using the portability option at the time of renewal.
• There are three significant benefits in porting your policy: you won’t be losing on any policy benefits, won’t be subject to any extra charges, and won’t have to worry about any waiting period clauses.
• To avoid any future complications, inform your insurer about any new illnesses that you may have acquired by the date of the renewal.
• You can increase the sum insured amount if need be.

Conclusion

In a world where healthcare expenses are continually rising, the significance of health insurance cannot be overstated. Renewing your health insurance policy is not merely a routine task; it is a vital step in preserving the continuous medical coverage that safeguards you and your family's well-being. Remember, your health is an investment, and renewing your insurance policy ensures that this investment is secure. Don't allow your policy to lapse, as rebuilding those benefits could be time-consuming and costly. Stay proactive, review your options, and make informed decisions that reflect your evolving health needs. Whether you are a seasoned policyholder or a newcomer to the world of health insurance, these insights empower you to take charge of your health's financial future. Explore, compare, renew, and rest easy, knowing that your health is in capable hands.

FAQs

Q: Is there an advantage to getting my health insurance plan renewed?

A: The advantage of health insurance renewal includes uninterrupted medical coverage, retention of accrued benefits like no claim bonus, and continued financial security in case of medical emergencies. Renewing before expiry ensures that you won't lose these benefits.

Q: Why should I get a health insurance plan?

A: Taking a health insurance plan offers financial protection against medical expenses, coverage for regular and critical illness treatments, cashless claims benefits, and tax benefits. It provides a financial safety net for you and your family in case of any medical emergency.

Q: What is the procedure for health insurance policy renewal?

A: The procedure for health insurance policy renewal is simple and straightforward:

Visit the insurer’s website, log in, select the policy you want to renew, enter the required details and make the payment. You will then receive confirmation of the renewed policy via e-mail.

Q: Can I renew my health insurance policy through ManipalCigna website?

A: Yes, you can renew your health insurance policy through the ManipalCigna website. You can log in to your account, select the renewal option and follow the steps.

Q: Can you transfer your health insurance policy during renewal?

A: Yes, you can transfer your health insurance policy during policy renewal. Utilising the portability option at the time of renewal allows you to shift your policy to a different insurer without losing any existing benefits or incurring extra charges.

Q: What are the benefits of a No Claim Bonus?

A: No Claim Bonus (NCB) is a benefit accrued if you do not make any claims during the policy term. During health insurance renewal, the NCB can lead to a reduction in the premium or an increase in the sum insured, providing added value to the policyholder. It incentivises maintaining a claim-free record.