Health insurance policies typically cover major hospitalisation costs but exclude many medical expenses that occur before hospitalisation. According to Mint reports, seasonal illnesses such as viruses, dengue, malaria, and typhoid often lead to significant out-of-pocket spending long before patients require hospital admission. Ryan Singh, Co-Founder & COO of Loop Health, explains that health insurance and healthcare don't always begin at the same point, as insurance is designed to protect families from significant medical expenses, particularly hospitalisation costs.
A typical monsoon fever scenario involves ₹3,000 to ₹8,000 in out-of-pocket expenses over several days, covering doctor consultations, diagnostic tests, prescribed medicines, and travel costs. As reported by Mint, these expenses often arise before insurance coverage typically begins, making them difficult to anticipate. Singh notes that even without hospitalisation, families face substantial costs that insurance may not cover, as healthcare expenses don't necessarily begin when insurance claims begin.
Health insurance and preventive healthcare work together to reduce overall healthcare costs. According to Singh's recommendations, families should not delay doctor consultations, complete prescribed medicine courses, and get recommended diagnostic tests on time, as early treatment often leads to faster recovery and lower overall healthcare costs. This approach helps manage expenses that occur before, between, and after major medical events.
To stay financially prepared during monsoon season, Singh advises families to check their health insurance policy coverage, identify out-of-pocket expenses, maintain a list of network hospitals, and keep a modest healthcare contingency fund for routine consultations and diagnostic tests. As reported by Mint, this approach helps absorb expenses that may not always be reimbursed by insurance policies.
