Overview of Non-Medical Expenses Rider in Health Insurance

Health insurance is undoubtedly the most recommended investment in today’s day and age. With the facility of a health insurance policy, you no longer need to worry about the soaring cost of medical treatments. When a medical exigency strikes, finances is the last thing you must worry about and instead focus on securing the right treatment. So, buying a health insurance is the most appropriate backup plan that helps to tackle medical expenses. Also, with such personal investment, you can avail all essential treatments without having to disturb your other investments and use you hard-earned money.

But, when it comes to settlement of health insurance claims, the regulatory body, IRDAI (Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India) has certain restrictions with what expenses an insurance company needs to compensate for. These restrictions are laid down to protect the interest of the insurance companies from being misused and are called as non-medical expenses. These non-medical expenses remain the same for all the types of health insurance plans that you buy.

So, is there a way to get these expenses covered as part of your insurance policy? The answer is ‘yes’, with a non-medical expense rider. Since this is an optional feature that can be opted for, the premiums are also affected when you buy one. However, the benefits of buying one are greater than its cost.

Let’s look at the different non-medical expenses which are otherwise are excluded from the amount of claim settlement if not opted for as an additional rider.

Non-medical expenses that form part of room charges

When a patient is admitted for treatment, these are some of the commonly used items that included in your claim if opted for the non-medical expense rider –

• Hand wash
• Tissue papers
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Comb, caps, slippers
• Housekeeping charges
• Pulse oximeter charges

Non-medical expenses that are a part of treatment charges

Examples of some treatment charges that are covered by the optional non-medical expense rider –

• Charges for registration to the hospital
• Containers used for urine collection
• Charges for reservation of blood required for the patient
• Blood grouping and cross matching of donor’s samples
• HIV Testing Kit charges
• Spirit, disinfectant, hydrogen peroxide
• Infusion pump cost
• Dietician charges
• Charges for vaccination of the patient

Non-medical expenses that are included in procedure charges

• X-Ray charges
• Cottons and bandages used
• Instrument charges for arthroscopy and endoscope
• Aprons used in the process
• Surgical blades
• Harmon scalpel
• Drills used for surgical process

Other expenses that are classified as non-medical expenses

• Needles, syringes and sterilised injections
• Gloves
• Any washing charges
• Additional gels used for digestion
• Fees for referral doctors

While the above-mentioned expenses are included in the claim settlement amount, the ones mentioned below are not covered even if such non-medical expenses rider is purchased –

• Baby food charges
• Baby utilities charges
• Beauty services
• Buds
• Carry bags
• Email/internet charges
• Food charges (other than patient’s diet provided by hospital)
• Laundry charges
• Mineral water
• Sanitary pads
• Telephone charges
• Guest services
• Diapers of any type
• Television charges
• Extra diet of patient (other than that which forms part of bed charge)
• Birth certificate charges
• Courier charges
• Medical certificate
• Medical records
• Photocopies charges
• Sugar free tablets
• Creams powders lotions
• Conveyance charges
• Diabetic footwear
• Special nursing charges
• Attendant charges

Although these costs do not add much amount, but it is safer to have a comprehensive coverage by your insurance provider with the help of a non-medical expense rider. Be it critical illness insurance or individual or a family floater policy, make sure to get the non-medical expense rider to ensure a complete coverage of your insurance policy. Insurance is the subject matter of solicitation. For more details on benefits, exclusions, limitations, terms and conditions, please read sales brochure/policy wording carefully before concluding a sale.