For many parents, health insurance is something they think about for themselves, but not always for their children. Yet, as children’s healthcare needs are different from those of adults, a health insurance plan that adequately covers a child’s preventive, routine, and emergency care can be a vital safety net for parents.
From common illnesses to preventive care, comprehensive health insurance can not only insure your well-being, but also that of your children. However, understanding which options offer the best protection for a child’s unique needs is often easier said than done.
This Children’s Day, which is observed every year on November 14, let’s understand why you should consider a child health insurance policy and what all should you look for while buying one.
Why Children’s Health Insurance Matters
In their formative years, children could be more susceptible to frequent illnesses and minor accidents leading to minor injuries, regular health check-ups, and vaccinations. Even though a family floater plan will cover children’s healthcare expenses, many parents would be surprised to learn that some may not fully cover routine needs, as such plans are often structured around adult health requirements rather than paediatric care.
Child-specific insurance policies, on the other hand, are typically designed to address such paediatric needs more comprehensively. Such policies cover children’s vaccination, clinical check-up expenses (including screenings), and injuries, among others. If a plan doesn’t include coverage for preventive care, parents may end up bearing these costs out of their own pockets. Initially, these expenses may not seem significant, however, they can quickly add up, making medical expenses costly for the family.
Parents can purchase health insurance for their children at different stages of their lives, from the newborn/infancy stage to the age of 25.
Filling The Gap With Routine And Outpatient Care
Routine healthcare, or outpatient care, is an area often overlooked in general family insurance policies. In case your child may need more frequent visits to the doctor, outpatient coverage for common illnesses, minor injuries, and even developmental assessments can offer parents support in their time of need.
This type of coverage can give you a buffer against the costs of consulting paediatricians and getting routine medications, which are common, but would add up over time without insurance.
Have A Sporty Kid? Child Insurance Can Be A Lifesaver Sometimes
For parents whose children are actively into sports and other physical activities, the need for health coverage for the child is even greater. Take Rahul and Priya’s case, for instance. Their son, who is a football player, injured his ankle during a match. Though their family floater policy provided coverage for emergency hospital stays, it did not include any outpatient expenses for follow-up visits or the much-needed physiotherapy which was supposed to continue for another two months.
The couple soon found themselves making several trips to the hospital, paying for each session out of their own pocket. However, with a child insurance plan, Rahul and Priya could have benefitted from complete coverage for their son during this time of need.
Coverage For Mental Health: A Growing Need
In recent years, mental health has become a growing concern for people across all age groups, but more critically for children and teenage youth. Mental health is a significant part of the overall well-being, as stress, social pressure, academic concerns, and recently, the influence of social media can impact a child’s mental health significantly.
However, mental health services, such as therapy and counselling are still often minimally covered by general health insurance plans, or sometimes maybe excluded altogether.
If you are considering an insurance plan for your child, look for a policy that includes mental health support to ensure that your child has access to care if he or she needs it.
How To Choose The Right Health Insurance Plan For Your Child?
When selecting a health insurance plan for your child, parents should check the premium and hospital coverage (network range) that the policy provides. A good plan would include outpatient services, preventive care, and ideally, mental support as well.
If you have a family floater plan, some insurer could offer ‘top-up’ options, allowing parents to increase the coverage or add benefits without changing their entire plan.
Before choosing a child health plan, consider the following questions:
Does the policy cover preventive services, such as vaccinations and wellness visits?
Is there coverage for outpatient services, including doctor consultations and minor procedures?
What support is available for mental health?
Are there any specific exclusions that could impact a child’s health needs?
Health insurance tailored for children is more than just a back-up plan, it could also act as a comprehensive care strategy for your children during their development years. Just as you prepare your children for school, friendships, and future life goals, protecting his/her health should also be a part of this journey.
