What's the difference between health insurance and medical insurance?

With the escalating medical expenses, individuals have to depend on the health insurance policy or medical insurance policies to take care of their finances during such torrid times. However, there is a predominant confusion about whether health insurance and medical insurance are similar.

Albeit, health insurance and medical insurance seem synonymous, they have slight differences between them, and a proposer must know before availing of any of it. It seems as if both products serve the same purpose; however, both health insurance and medical insurance have a distinct definition.

One can clearly understand the dissimilarity between the two from the below-mentioned details.

Health insurance: Overview

A health insurance policy extends coverage for miscellaneous expenses, not only for hospitalisation costs but also for pre-hospitalisation and post-hospitalisation expenditures. Health insurance India has sub-types that include Individual health insurance policies, family floater health insurance policies, surgical and critical illness plans etc. In addition, health insurance providers extend customised plans to cater to the varied needs of a policyholder.

The coverage offered under a health insurance policy is more extensive and expensive than a medical insurance policy. Under a health insurance plan, policyholders will be able to access two health insurance products: indemnity products and benefit products.

Medical insurance: Overview

On the other hand, medical insurance is a bounded form of health insurance. It offers financial assistance for pre-specified diseases and accidents, given the policyholder is admitted to a hospital for at least 24 hours. Medical insurance is best for eliminating out of pocket costs, thereby making it cost-effective to avail of health care services.

As much as a Mediclaim policy, medical insurance extends limited coverage to medical expenses compared to health insurance. Under medical insurance plans, one can avail of two claims: cashless and reimbursement. The significant feature of medical insurance is policyholders receive instant coverage from hospitalisation costs.

Difference between health insurance and medical insurance

How to choose between health insurance and medical insurance?

The best possible way to choose between health insurance and medical insurance is to understand the proposer's healthcare requirement and their families.

Here are the ways to help an individual choose between a health insurance policy and medical insurance policy.

To sum up, health insurance and medical insurance seem identical; however, it differs with respect to multiple intricacies. For example, health insurance provides all-encompassing coverage for different medical emergencies, whereas medical insurance policyholders will be bestowed with specific health requirements.

• When a proposer needs comprehensive protection, they should go for a health insurance policy. Applicants look for reputed companies like Bajaj Finance, which offer a slew of health insurance plans and get a considerable sum assured at a nominal premium amount. On the other hand, an individual whose medical emergency is related to limited coverage should select a medical insurance plan.
• If applicants have a stringent budget, they go for a medical insurance policy. However, those who don't have budget restrictions can go for any comprehensive health insurance plan and reap the multiple benefits.
• Akin to Mediclaim insurance, medical insurance offers less flexibility. Individuals who want flexibility in the insurance policy should go for a health insurance plan. The flexibility of bringing down premiums and managing policy duration expands policyholders' convenience.
• Furthermore, the choice rests upon the applicant's wish to pay a higher or lower premium. If applicants can afford a higher premium amount, they must opt for a health insurance policy.

• With each passing year, where other insurance premiums tend to rise, car and bike insurance have a beneficial NCB, bringing down premium amounts.

  No Claim Bonus is simply a perk given to policyholders for not making a claim in previous years. NCB in motor insurance can fetch up to a 20-50% discount on the payable premium amount by maintaining a claim-free record. NCB is not related to the make or age of the vehicle but solely on the claim record of the policyholder.

  While purchasing a comprehensive motor insurance policy, you are generally not eligible for NCB unless in the case of NCB transfer. The policyholder will be eligible for NCB on the first renewal of the motor insurance policy, starting from 20%. This is applicable only if no claims have been made in the preceding years. The discount increases with every claim-free year up to a maximum of 50% at the end of five claim-free years.