Top 5 Myths About Health Insurance Debunked

🩺 Top 5 Myths About Health Insurance Debunked

Break free from misconceptions and secure your health wisely.

📘 Table of Contents

🧠 1. Introduction: The Problem with Myths

Health insurance is a financial safety net. But in India, despite the rise in medical costs and lifestyle diseases, many people still delay or avoid buying health insurance. Why?

Because they believe in myths.

These myths are often passed around by friends, family, and misinformation online. As a result, people either buy the wrong policy, wait too long, or don’t buy at all—only to face financial disaster later.

Let’s debunk the top 5 myths about health insurance so you can make a better decision for yourself and your family.

❌ Myth 1: “I Don’t Need Health Insurance – I’m Young and Healthy”

This is by far the most common misconception. Many people in their 20s and 30s believe they are immune to health problems.

✅ The Truth:

Being young doesn’t make you invincible. In fact, lifestyle diseases like::

…are being diagnosed in people as young as 22–30.

Even accidents, infections, or surgeries can come unannounced.

📉 The Cost of Not Having Insurance

Let’s say you’re 27 and suddenly need an appendix surgery — cost: ₹1.5 to ₹2.5 lakhs at a private hospital. Without insurance, it comes straight out of your savings or credit card.

💡 Why Buying Early Helps:

Example:

Rahul, 28, bought a ₹5 lakh policy for just ₹4,200/year. Two years later, he developed gallstones — his insurance covered the ₹1.8 lakh surgery. If he had delayed, it wouldn’t have been covered.

❌ Myth 2: “My Employer Health Insurance Is Enough”

Many salaried professionals rely solely on corporate/group health insurance.

✅ The Truth:

Employer insurance has limitations:

Stat: Over 70% of corporate health policies don’t offer coverage for OPD, AYUSH, or chronic illness management.

🔍 Real-Life Scenario:

Anjali lost her job during COVID-19 and shortly after, her father needed hospitalization. Without corporate insurance, she had to pay ₹1.6 lakhs from her PF savings.

✔️ Smart Move:

Always keep a personal health policy for yourself and your family, even if you're covered at work. Your employer plan is a bonus — not a replacement.

❌ Myth 3: “All Health Insurance Policies Are the Same”

This is another major myth. People assume that all policies offer the same benefits, so they just buy the cheapest one available.

✅ The Truth:

Every health plan differs in:

Buying the wrong plan can lead to claim rejections.

Example:

Two ₹5 lakh policies may sound similar, but:

If you’re hospitalized in a ₹5,000/day room and your policy only allows ₹3,000/day, you’ll pay the balance out of pocket.

✔️ Solution:

Use platforms like Policyfy to compare plans side-by-side and choose based on benefits, not just price.

❌ Myth 4: “Health Insurance Only Covers Hospitalization”

This is a partial truth — older policies focused only on in-patient treatment. But modern insurance is much more comprehensive.

✅ The Truth:

Good health plans now cover:

Stat: Over 540+ treatments don’t need a full day of hospitalization and are still covered by most modern policies.

Example:

Megha had a minor cyst removal done in a few hours. Her policy covered it completely — even without 24-hour hospitalization.

❌ Myth 5: “I Can Buy Insurance When I Need It”

This is one of the most dangerous myths. Insurance is not a cure — it’s a shield you need before the storm.

✅ The Truth:

You cannot buy insurance and claim for a treatment the same week. Most policies have:

If you wait till you fall sick, it’s already too late.

Example:

Vikram postponed buying insurance until he turned 40. By then, he was diagnosed with diabetes. The insurer increased his premium by 60% and added a 3-year waiting clause for any diabetes-related claims.

🛍️ How to Choose the Right Health Insurance Plan

🎯 Checklist:

Policyfy can help you compare, filter, and buy the right plan in minutes.

❓ FAQs: Busted Myths, Straight Answers

Q1: Can I buy health insurance for my parents even if they have diabetes?

Yes, but with some waiting periods or loadings. Several senior citizen plans accept pre-existing conditions.

Q2: Is OPD treatment covered in all policies?

Not always — it's either available in premium plans or as an add-on.

Q3: Can I switch my policy to another insurer?

Yes. Portability allows you to carry forward benefits like waiting periods to a new insurer.

Q4: Does AYUSH really get covered?

Yes, many insurers now cover Ayurveda, Homeopathy, and Yoga-based treatments if taken at registered centers.

Q5: Can I claim for annual health check-ups?

Many modern policies offer 1 free health check-up every 1–3 claim-free years.

🧠 Final Thoughts: Empowering You to Decide Better

Myths have cost people lakhs in treatment and regrets. Don’t let that happen to you.

The best time to get health insurance is before you need it. Don’t buy it based on myths. Buy it based on facts, your lifestyle, and your family’s needs.

Health is wealth — and health insurance is your financial bodyguard.

🏥 Why Choose Policyfy?

Your health is your responsibility — we’re just here to help protect it.

Visit Policyfy Health Insurance Page today

and say goodbye to myths, and hello to smart protection.