4 Common Exclusions in a Health Insurance Policy

It is no secret that your health insurance plan will not cover each and every medical expense.  And it’s also quite obvious that every health insurance comes with a list of inclusions and exclusions. Exclusions are however the ones that can give you a bad surprise if you do not know them beforehand.

“Exclusion” can be a medical condition or a healthcare expense that is not covered under your health insurance plan. As it is not covered, it means that your health insurance provider will not pay for it.

If you are a smart insurance buyer who takes out the time to read the Inclusions and Exclusions, and the Terms and Conditions, then you can surely save yourself from those nasty surprises in the future. Most people are only interested in what the policy offers (inclusions) and tend to overlook what the policy does not cover (exclusions).  That’s the reason why you must always read the policy wordings before you sign the policy document.

Here are the 5 Most Common Exclusions of Health Insurance that You Must Know -

1. Pregnancy and related conditions

Pregnancy, childbirth, abortion, and any treatment arising from or traceable to pregnancy, are not covered under a health insurance policy. However, pregnancy can be covered in some health insurance plans but only after a waiting period.

2. Pre-existing conditions

If you are suffering from an illness or a medical condition before you bought a health insurance plan, then it would not be covered under the policy. These are known as pre-existing conditions and will be covered only after a waiting period of 2-4 years or more depending upon the type of disease and its risk.

3. Cosmetic surgery

Cosmetic surgery is generally used to enhance the appearance of a person, so all kinds of cosmetic procedures are not covered under health insurance. However, in cases of accident or injury when plastic surgery is a requirement, it can be covered.

4. Dental, Hearing, and Vision

There can be exceptions, but both dental and vision procedures are not covered by health insurance plans as they do not require hospitalization. But where there happens to be a need for hospitalization, it can be covered. So, it is best to check with your health insurance provider about it. However, these benefits may also be bought as additional riders to an existing health plan.

Remember, every policy is not the same and neither is every policyholder, so it is best to check on both the inclusions as well as exclusions at the time of policy purchase. That way you’ll know beforehand which claims will be honored by your health insurance provider, and which won’t.
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**To understand exactly about the policy coverage, exclusions, etc. read the Policy Wordings carefully.**