In 2009 and 2010 swine flu pandemic snatched away the lives of more than 6 lakh people worldwide. Swine flu is a respiratory condition caused by the H1N1 virus. This is also known as A/H1N1. It is typically caused by an influenza virus, therefore, it is also known as Type A H1N1 Influenza. It is a very common type of virus that can easily attack the immune system of humans. The initial symptoms are sneezing, coughing, fever, etc. If there is no proper vaccination, then the symptoms can get worse and make that person seriously ill. Though it is not contagious in its very sense, getting in contact with an infected person will increase the chances of being affected by this virus. If the condition becomes serious then the treatment will also become expensive. Therefore, it would be wise if you get a health insurance plan that offers coverage against the H1N1 swine flu.
Does Health Insurance Cover H1N1 Swine Flu?
In 2009 and 2010, alone in India over 1 lakh people died due to this flu. After that, the government took several actions and healthcare measures to control that epidemic. Along with that, different health insurance companies came up with health products that cover the expenses of swine flu treatment. At present, almost all health insurers offer health insurance policies that cover this virus. There are plenty of plans in the insurance market that can give you protection against the H1N1 virus.
What Are The Benefits of Buying a Health Plan Covering H1N1 Swine Flu?
Here are the mentions.
- If you are seriously affected by this flu, then the cost of the treatment will be costly. In that case, it would be difficult for the family to run the expenses, or to provide health care. But if you have a health insurance plan that offers protection against the H1N1 virus, then the insurance company will reimburse the cost. Therefore, you do not have to dig a hole in your savings.
- Medical expenses are skyrocketing, and it is going higher day by day due to the inflation rate. If today the cost of treating swine flu is Rs. 1 lakh, tomorrow it can be Rs. 2 lakhs. Therefore, to safeguard your finances, you need to get a health policy that covers swine flu.
- Getting the best quality of treatment is important. If you have a good health insurance provider then you can get the best treatment for swine flu anywhere in India and the world, and then you can also choose your hospital. If you have the coverage of the right amount, you do not have to worry if you are diagnosed with H1N1 virus.
- Apart from the medical expenses, there are various costs related to hospitalisation for swine flu. There are pre and post-hospitalisation expenses, doctor’s fees, expenses of the diagnostic tests, etc which can be expensive as well. But, good health insurance with swine flu coverage will compensate for these costs so that you do not have to worry about your expenses.
- Under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act of India, you are eligible for Rs. 25000 tax deduction for your health insurance plan, if your age is less than 60 years. If your age is over 60, the tax benefit will be up to Rs. 50000. If you are paying the premium for your parent’s health insurance, then you can avail of the same benefit.
What is the treatment cost of H1N1 swine flu in India?
The cost of H1N1 virus treatment varies from one state to another. In Mumbai, the cost of a diagnostic test for swine flu is Rs. 5000 and in Hyderabad, it is Rs. 2500, and that is fixed. It is just the amount of diagnostic tests. Hospitalisation expenses and medication costs are separate. Usually, the cost of treating swine flu is Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 2 lakhs. But, it can go high depending on the seriousness of the case. There are a few cases where people have spent around Rs. 15 lakhs to Rs 50 lakhs to treat this virus. The cost depends on various factors such as the patient’s condition, medical history, seriousness of the virus, pre-existing ailments, etc. Therefore, it is always advisable to have an insurance plan that will give coverage against this ailment.
Why Do You Need Health Insurance That Covers H1N1 Swine Fu?
The important mentions are as follows.
- With vaccination and proper treatment, swine flu is fully treatable. For the treatment, sometimes hospitalisation is needed. In that case, it can be costly. For that, you need the right health coverage so that you do not have to worry about the expenses.
- Usually, the health insurance products that offer swine flu coverage come up with a 30-day waiting period. It offers a robust comprehensive health cover so that you can live worry-free.
- If you are diagnosed with the H1N1 virus and your health policy covers this virus, then you are eligible to claim against this ailment.
- As said previously, medical expenses are skyrocketing, and treatment of swine flu can go as high as Rs. 50 lakhs. In that case, it becomes hard for the family to bear such expenses. However, if you have a health policy with the right coverage for this flu then you can provide financial safety and the insurer will bear the cost of the treatment.
- There are a handful of health insurance providers that offer OPD treatment costs incurred due to the H1N1 virus. If you purchase such a policy, then you also have to not worry about the OPD expenses.
Conclusion
The country has already witnessed thousands of deaths from this swine flu. It not only weakens the immune system but also it can be fatal for humans, especially for those who are already suffering from a different ailment. It also badly affects those people who have pre-existing diseases, especially chronic ones such as diabetes, asthma, high pressure, etc. Children and senior citizens are prone to the adverse effects of swine flu due to their low immune systems. Treatment of swine flu can be costly depending on the patient. While it is treatable, the right medication is highly needed. Therefore, it is important to have a health insurance policy that covers swine flu with the right cover.
