We are aware there is a wide range of Health Insurance Policies for ourselves and members of our family. But there are a lot of eligibility criteria, especially the age limit when it comes to elder people. So in India, we have got separate health insurance policies for Senior Citizens.

What Are The Benefits Of Senior Citizen Health Insurance?

We know there are a lot of uncertainties in the life of people especially when it comes to health. It’s very important to keep the health of senior people secured with a very good Insurance policy as it provides cover for the high expenses incurred in medical treatments. The policies also ensure that elders get quality treatment at their network of private hospitals.

Senior Citizens must be insured under a separate health cover as they are more prone to critical illnesses. The cost of treatments for senior citizens has gone very high nowadays hence the premium for their health insurance plans are also on the higher side. But it’s always best to keep them covered under health insurance to prevent spending a higher amount on hospital bills than what you pay as a premium for the insurance policy for them.

What Is The Eligibility Criteria for Senior Citizen Health Cover?

Senior Citizen Health Insurance plans cover the medical expenses incurred by elderly people specifically above the age of 60. The policy offers cashless hospitalization at the network hospitals for each insurance firm and gives preventive health checkup facilities also to elderly people. Basically, it covers pre-existing diseases. Hospitalization charges, critical illness and treatment for coronavirus.

Which Are The Best Health Insurance Plans For Senior Citizens In India?

Are you interested in doing a health insurance plan for senior citizens comparison to get the best choice?

You can compare health insurance plans for senior citizens in India right here:

Top Companies In India	Age Criteria	Sum Insured provided	Monthly Instalments Amounts
HDFC health insurance plans for senior citizens also known as HDFC Ergo My Health Suraksha Plan	No restriction for age	Rs 1Lakh – 5Lakh	Insured can pay monthly,half yearly or quarterly instalments. Amounts subject to change so you may need to contact the Insurance Company
Oriental Senior Citizens Hope Insurance Plan	60 years and above	Rs 1 Lakh- 5 Lakh	Normally starts at Rs.637/month(Subject to change).Depends on the terms and conditions of the Insurance Company. You might need to contact the same for the method of payment of Premium.
IFFCO TOKIO Individual Medishield Plan	65 years	Rs 50,000- 50 Lakh	Plans start at Rs.1303/month(Subject to Change) but check with the Insurance company for specific cover and amount of instalments.
Kotak Health Care Plan	65 years	Rs 3 Lakh- 25 Lakh	Premium can be paid as monthly,quarterly or half yearly based on the terms and conditions of the Insurance company.
Star Senior Citizen Red Carpet Insurance Plan	60-75	Rs 1Lakh – 25 Lakh	Amount starting at Rs.1770/month (Subject to change) as per companies change in terms and conditions.
Apollo Munich Health Insurance Plans For Senior Citizens	61 yrs and  above	Rs 2 Lakh- 5 Lakhs	You have to contact the insurance company to know about the types of instalments they offer as per their terms and conditions.
Max Bupa Health Insurance Plans For Senior Citizens	61  years onwards	Rs 5 Lakh – Rs 1 Crore	Starting from Rs.2231/month which is subject to change as per company’s change in terms and conditions.
Religare Health Insurance Plans For Senior Citizens	46 years onwards	Rs 3 Lakh – 10Lakh	Starting at Rs.2146/month subject to change when the company changes the terms and conditions.
TATA AIG Health Insurance Plans For  Senior Citizens(TATA AIG Medicare Plan)	61 years and above	Rs. 5 Lakhs	Starting at Rs.470/month always check with the Insurance company as the amounts are subject to change anytime.
ICICI Lombard Health Insurance Plans For Senior Citizens	60 years and above	Rs 20 Lakhs – 25 Lakhs	Starts at a monthly premium as low as Rs.542 per month but subject to change as per company term changes.
LIC Health Insurance Plans For Senior Citizens	60 years and above	Not Specified	Depends on the terms and conditions of the Company. You have to contact them directly to get the exact amounts.
SBI health insurance plans for senior citizens known as SBI Arogya Plus Policy	Max 65 years	Rs. 1 Lakh to Rs. 3 Lakh	Depends on the terms and conditions of the Company. You have to contact them directly to get the exact amounts

Here are the best health insurance for senior citizens with the lowest premiums: 

1. Star health insurance for senior citizens known as Star Health Red Carpet
2.  National Insurance Varistha Mediclaim
3. Oriental Insurance HOPE
4. Bajaj Allianz Silver Health
5. New India Assurance Health Insurance

What Is Covered Under The Senior Citizen Health Insurance Policies

There are some specific points to consider to ensure that you are making the right decision by buying a senior citizen health insurance plan. 

Here is a list of sections that are covered under the senior citizen health insurance plan:

1. Expenses During Hospitalisation – this includes 

• Room charges
• Nursing fees
• Doctor’s fees
• Medicine and drugs costs
• ICU charges. 
• Surgical appliances cost 
• Operation Theatre expenses

There are additional coverages you can find like – 

• Costs of orthopaedic implants
• Diagnostic tests
• Artificial limbs and any prosthetic devices which might be required during the hospitalisation of a senior citizen.

2. Organ Donor Expenses – most senior health plans cover the donor expenses that come out during organ transplants.
3. COVID -19 Coverage – The senior citizen policy already includes the cover for the cost of coronavirus treatment up to a certain limit explained in each policy term.
4. Ambulance Charges – the charges incurred during transporting the senior citizen to the nearest hospital will be covered.
5. Pre-Existing Illnesses – any charges for pre-existing diseases will be covered but after a specified waiting period. Depending on the insurance company this might be different.
6. Pre And Post Hospitalisation Charges are also included under a senior citizen health insurance policy.
7. Day Care Treatments – the daycare treatments which are policy specific and only required less than 24 hours after being hospitalised may include chemotherapy, dialysis etc will be covered.
8. AYUSH treatment expenses will be covered in a government-recognised hospital.
9. Domiciliary Hospitalisation Expenses are also covered if the doctor suggests treatment for the elderly person at his own home.

Medical insurance for Senior Citizens covers unexpected medical expenses which might result in hospitalisation, daycare treatments and other needs. It's also similar to the Health insurance policy which usually concentrates on the medical aspect alone.

Are There Government Health Insurance Plans For Senior Citizens?

Apart from the wide range of policies available from private insurance firms, the Indian Government had launched 5 Health Insurance Policies, especially for the elderly. Let’s look into it in detail.

Government Health Insurance for Senior Citizens	Main Features and Eligibility Criteria	Premium Details
Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana or PMJAY (also known as Ayushman Bharat Scheme)	The AyushmanBharat Scheme is the largest government health scheme which is for Senior Citizens and it includes women and children too. Only families who are below the poverty line are eligible for this plan.	Rs.200* per month depending on the plan. *Subject to change
United India Senior Citizen Health Insurance	Run by United India Insurance company wholly owned by the Government of India includes AYUSH treatments, and domiciliary cover if it’s for a period that exceeds three days.	Premium depends on the age and the Sum Insured opted by the policyholder. But it starts from Rs.12032 per year and varies as per the rates offered by the company.
Varistha Mediclaim For Senior Citizens Policy	This policy is offered by a Government sector National Insurance Company Ltd. pre and post hospitalisation expenses are available for 30 days to 60 days. Senior citizens above 60 years of age are eligible for this cover.	Premium starts from Rs.6187 but always depends on the age and the sum insured opted by the policyholder and is also subject to company term changes.
The Health of Privileged Elders (HOPE)	This is health insurance for senior citizens offered by Oriental Insurance Company. People aged over 60 years are eligible. This covers only specific diseases. This policy covers telemedicine expenses and AYUSH expenses.	The Premium depends on the age and sum insured opted by the policyholder but the basic amount for people over 60 starts from Rs.6063 which is subject to change as per company terms.
The New India Assurance Senior Citizen Mediclaim Policy	People aged over 60 years are eligible for this policy. There will be a 10% family discount available in case the elderly person’s spouse is also covered. Limited cover for AYUSH treatments. Pre-existing medical conditions are covered after a waiting period of 18months of continuous insurance and with a payment of an additional premium.	Basic premium rates start from Rs.4043. Depends on the age and Sum Insured opted also subject to further changes as per company revision.

Why You Need Top-Up Health Insurance Plans for Senior Citizens

It’s always a wise choice to buy a Super Top-up Health Insurance for senior citizens because it works on an expense-sharing mode. It covers any additional expense that might occur outside the amount of the plan that you already got. 

As age passes by the risk of sickness increases and top-up health insurance covers comes a long way to help overcome any financial threats due to the same. The top-up plan gives an extensive cover with affordable premiums. 

Here is a list of the best companies offering top-up insurance plans:

1. Aditya Birla Activ Assure + Super Health Top-up
2. Bajaj Allianz Extra Care Plus
3. Digit Super-Top up Health Plan
4. Edelweiss Family Health Top-up Plan
5. Kotak Health Super Top-up Plan
6. Manipal Cigna Super Top-up Plan
7. National Super Top-up Mediclaim Policy
8. Oriental Super Health Top-up Plan
9. United India Super Top-up Medicare Policy
10. Universal Sompo Super Healthcare Super Top-up Plan

Common FAQs

1. Do I get any Tax Benefits under my Senior Citizen Health Insurance Plan?
   Yes, of course, under Section 80D of the IT Act 1961, Senior Citizens are eligible for a tax benefit up to Rs.30,000 each year on the premium paid for their Insurance Policy.

2. Is it important for me/my parents to take a senior citizen health insurance policy?
   As we age we would face a loss of regular income and health also starts deteriorating naturally. It’s always better to have a health insurance plan in place to keep yourself peaceful in old age.

3. What is a waiting period in the Senior Citizen health policy?
   This refers to the amount of time an insured needs to wait for claiming a particular benefit for example pre-existing illnesses etc. it differs from one insurance company to the other.