Health Card Benefits: Why It’s Essential

Posted on: Dec 18, 2024 | 3 mins | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

Health Card Benefits: Why It’s Essential

A health insurance card is proof of your health insurance policy issued by your insurer when you purchase the plan. It contains important information, such as your personal details, policy details like the policy number, type of plan and expiry date, insurer details like the name of the company and customer care number, etc. You can use the health card to avail of cashless claims at network hospitals and reimbursement claims, reducing the hassles of paperwork.

Benefits of a Health Insurance Card

Some key Health Card benefits are –

1. Access to cashless hospitalisation:

You can present your health card at any network hospital of the insurer and receive cashless treatments without having to make any upfront payments. The insurer will settle the bills directly with the hospital, which is especially helpful during emergencies.

2. Quick claims settlement:

Since the health card has all the information the hospital requires for processing your claims, it helps in the quick settlement of claims, and you don’t have to carry any documents as proof of identity.

3. Insurer details:

Every insurance company has a helpline number, but how many of us remember that? During an emergency, we struggle to get the toll-free number or emergency helpline number of the insurer. Either we browse the internet or look for the number in the policy document. This is where a health card proves beneficial. It contains the company’s toll-free numbers and you can easily contact the insurer for any queries.

4. Policy details at your fingertips:

With a health card, you have the policy details at your fingertips. The unique identification number mentioned in the health card will help get the details in a jiffy, which is particularly helpful in emergencies. There’s no stress over searching the policy document for the policy number and other details.

5. Quick verification of your claim:

When you present your health card for cashless treatments, the card can serve as your identity proof and help in quick verification of your identity and validation of the claim. This helps speed up the admission process.

6. Convenience:

Which is convenient – carrying a file of documents containing your policy document, ID and address proof, etc., or just a smart health card? The answer is obvious – a health card which stores all your policy details and can be easily accessed anywhere and anytime.

Tips for Efficient Use of Your Health Insurance Card

You have a health insurance card, but are you using it when needed? Here are some useful tips for efficiently using the card –

• Make sure you always have the health insurance card in your wallet or e-card on your phone.

• Read the policy document carefully to know the coverage, benefits, inclusions and exclusions, claim settlement process, etc., for smooth settlement of claims.

• Before filing a reimbursement claim, always check the documents and bills to avoid claim rejections.

• If you opt for a reimbursement claim, make sure you file the claim within the stipulated time; otherwise, the insurer has the right to deny the claim.

• Opt for the insurer’s network hospitals to avoid upfront payments.

• After you have filed a claim, follow up with the insurer periodically for delays in settlement.

• Review your health plans yearly and enhance coverage if required. You can make changes to your existing policy only at the time of renewal.

• Remember to renew your policy on time to enjoy continuity benefits.

Conclusion

Now that you know what are the benefits of a health card, remember to carry it in your wallet at all times. During an emergency, the health card will help quickly verify your identity and eligibility for treatment and expedite the admission process. The prices of healthcare facilities are rising rapidly, so having a health insurance policy with a wide scope of coverage has become a must-have. It provides a financial safety net, helping individuals and families deal better with unexpected medical expenses. Based on your family’s medical needs, you can choose to buy family health insurance to cover all members under one plan or buy individual plans for each member.

FAQs on health insurance card benefits

1. Can I avail of the cashless facility with my health insurance card?

Yes. At the time of admission, show your card at the hospital's insurance desk and they will bill the insurer directly. You will not be asked to pay anything upfront. Remember, cashless works only in network hospitals of the insurer.

2. What does the health insurance card contain?

The health insurance card contains your personal details, policy details (such as the policy number, policy type, and date of expiry), and insurer details (like the name and helpline numbers).

3. Does a health insurance card help in quick settlement of claims?

Yes. Since the health insurance card contains all the information required, it helps quickly verify your identity and process your claims.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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