Star Unique Health Insurance

Objective

This is an online health insurance policy that aims to cover for treatment taken as an inpatient in a hospital. HIV patients can also subscribe to the policy.

Suited for

Anyone between 18 and 65 years of age can buy this policy. HIV patients are also allowed to take this policy to cover illnesses other than HIV/ AIDS or related illnesses.

What does it do?

This policy covers inpatient hospitalisation along with pre and post hospitalisation expenses. It has a 2-year tenure and the premium can be paid in two instalments. First instalment has to be paid at the time of purchasing policy and second one after completing one year . This policy is special as it covers HIV positive patients provided minimum CD4 count at time of entry is 350, for treatment of illnesses other than HIV/ AIDS. Non-allopathic treatment and ambulance charges are also covered.

Pros

It covers HIV patients as well. Pre-existing diseases except for those specifically stated in policy document will be covered after 11 months, a waiting period relatively shorter than other policies.
It also covers non-allopathic treatment. This policy can be bought online.
Premium paid under the policy will be eligible for tax benefit under Section 80D.

Cons

The policy ceases to cover at 70 years of age.
Pre-existing disease are covered up to sub-limits.
It offers a sum insured of up to Rs 3 lakh only.

Our View

Although there is a lower waiting period for covering pre-existing diseases, the benefit has already been factored in by way of charging higher premium rates as compared to its peers. It allows to cover HIV patients for illnesses other than  HIV/ AIDS or related treatments useful for the patients who are young and healthy enough to resist AIDS. On the other hand, buying this policy at older age will have no meaning as HIV patients become more prone to AIDS due to weaker immunity.