Non-resident Indians (NRIs) who frequently visit India should buy a separate health insurance policy in India as an international cover may not offer comprehensive protection here. While travel insurance may provide a safety net for health-related risks during visits home, it may not address ongoing health issues or chronic conditions.
Buying a health cover in India offers the advantage of a local network of hospitals, direct claim settlements, and no currency conversion issues. And if an NRI decides to return to India permanently, having a domestic health insurance plan in place will ensure continuous coverage without the need to serve a waiting period for pre-existing diseases.
Sharad Bajaj, chief operating officer, InsuranceDekho, says when choosing a policy, NRIs should consider coverage for pre-existing diseases, cashless hospital networks, and critical illness. “Exclusions typically include cosmetic surgeries, maternity benefits, and treatments outside India. So it’s important to carefully review the terms before purchasing,” he says.
NRIs need to ensure that they have an OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) card when applying for health insurance in India. Additionally, if payments are made through an NRE account, NRIs can avail of GST exemptions by submitting an exemption form to their insurance provider.
