Union Assurance Health Net covers medical treatment in India

Union Assurance recently launched Health Net, a new low-premium medical insurance policy that covers costs of hospitalisation and medical care incurred in India.

The Health Net insurance policy exclusively covers expenses incurred by Sri Lankans on medical expenses in India. Expenses including hospitalisation, bed charges, room, surgeons’ fees, medicines and surgical supplies, diagnostic tests and other incidentals are covered.

In meeting expenses in real life situations, policy holders can feel much better with the welcome inclusion of 30 days’ pre-hospitalisation and 60 days’ post- hospitalisation cover, including doctors’ consultation fees, medicines, medical supplies and recovery tests provided for in the policy.

Adding a touch of caring, a free ambulance is available on call both in Sri Lanka and India for patients in need of emergency and critical attention.

Dr. Suranga Ranasinghe at Union Assurance said: “Traditionally, Sri Lankans seeking medical care in India have been only the very wealthy. Now, with this policy, many more Sri Lankans of less lavish incomes can also hope for the best medical attention and get it. India’s close proximity, with its world class medical specialists and technology supporting a highly evolved industry, makes it an excellent choice for Sri Lankans. Available cure and care for critical ailments are not only convenient but also consistently of high quality.”

“There are other policies that offer insurance cover in US and Europe. But these are inconvenient for Sri Lankans and particularly for patients. Long distance travel for treatment to countries such as USA can cause a lot of discomfort to a patient. The impact could have long-term repercussions, particularly if the patient is critically ill. India is known to have advanced medical care facilities on par with developed nations and Indian medical professionals are held in high esteem the world over. I think this policy opens the marvels of India’s magnificent medical industry to Sri Lankans at very low cost,” a spokesman for Union Assurance said.

Since Health Net provides cover even for those suffering from a pre-existing disease and those already diagnosed with significant conditions, insurance industry experts believe Health Net would be extremely popular and have many adherents who are in urgent need of such relief. However, pre-existing ailment coverage comes into effect only after four years of the policy being in effect.

Most commonly, policies in the market itemise illnesses and treatments but, interestingly, Health Net doesn’t itemise the illnesses – it only excludes a few ailments in the policy, allowing the policyholder to extend the cover to both family and loved ones. It also covers the air fare costs for the patient and an accompanying person, taking away a large burden otherwise to be borne by the patient’s family.

Unlike most other medical insurance policies that only cover certain expenses, compelling customers to pay for others even after obtaining full medical cover, Health Net has no hidden sub limits.

“Covering over 3,800 best-in-class hospitals in India including Apollo Group, Sankara Eye Hospital, Max Group, Lilavati Hospital, Breach Kandy, D Hinduja and Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Health Net extends its services to all Sri Lankans, healthy or not. I urge those from the age of five to 60 to enjoy the benefits of Health Net. No medical check-up is required for those below 45 years of age,” the Union Assurance spokesman said.

Health claim processing administration and facilitation is provided by India’s No. 1 health claim processing and wellness management centre, ICICI Lombard Ltd.