What is a Mediclaim?

Mediclaim is a type of insurance that mainly helps with hospital bills. It is more focused on reimbursing expenses incurred during hospitalization, such as room charges, doctor’s fees, surgery costs, and related expenses. Mediclaim policies typically do not cover outpatient expenses like doctor consultations or diagnostic tests unless they are directly related to the hospitalization. Mediclaim policies are often offered as standalone plans or as part of comprehensive health insurance policies.

Key Features of Mediclaim

Key features of Mediclaim include:

• Hospitalization Coverage: Most Mediclaim policies cover expenses related to hospitalization, including room rent, nursing expenses, and boarding charges.
• Pre and Post-Hospitalization Expenses: Many policies cover medical expenses incurred before and after hospitalization for a specified period, typically ranging from 30 to 60 days.
• Day Care Procedures: Coverage for specific medical treatments or surgeries that do not require 24-hour hospitalization but are performed in a day care setting.
• Cashless Hospitalization: Many insurers have tie-ups with hospitals where policyholders can avail cashless treatment, meaning the insurer directly settles the bills with the hospital.
• Coverage for Pre-existing Conditions: Some policies offer coverage for pre-existing medical conditions after a waiting period, which varies from insurer to insurer.

Health insurance and Mediclaim are two related but distinct concepts that involve financial protection against medical expenses. Health Insurance is a broader term encompassing various types of insurance coverage related to healthcare expenses. Mediclaim is a specific type of health insurance policy primarily covering hospitalization expenses.