How can health insurance consultants guide you to the right plan?

As the years go by, there is a constant discussion on the rising cost of healthcare and the ever-increasing risk of health problems. What started and became a part of the public discussion in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic has become even more critical today as the world faces increased health risks due to unhealthy lifestyle habits, poor dietary choices, and chronic stress. 

While preventing these habits from forming is crucial, eating healthy and taking care of our mental health might not be as easy as just ticking some boxes; they take time, energy, and often resources to execute. This is why it is essential to opt for health insurance to protect yourself and your loved ones from these growing risks. 

But with so many options and choices, it often becomes daunting and leads to choice paralysis when considering the impact of having insurance, which is not helpful when you need it. This is where a health insurance consultant understands your needs and requirements and can help you by offering the best solution for your pain point with the right policy. 

Importance of health insurance

While the number of these individuals has come down, many people still think that if they are healthy, they may not need health insurance. But that is not the case. Health insurance is a tool that can be used to protect the policyholder from medical expenses borne by them. These expenses can arise from planned treatments and unexpected medical emergencies, and with the rising cost of treatment, they can leave a hole in your pocket if you are unprepared. 

What is a health insurance consultant?

A health insurance consultant is another word to describe an insurance agent or advisor specialising in health insurance. They understand your specific needs, showcase policies which can solve your pain point based on requirements, recommend the best policy for your situation, clarify the jargon, and give financial advice to help fit the policy into your budget.

If you are considering purchasing insurance, these are the two types of agents you might encounter:

1. Exclusive Agent- As the name suggests, an exclusive or a captive agent represents a single insurance provider exclusively selling policies from them. An exclusive agent might offer limited policy options but might be more reliable than the other type of agent as they carry the responsibility of an insurance provider. They also usually have in-depth knowledge about the specific products they sell. 

2. Independent Agent- On the other hand, an independent agent is not affiliated with any particular insurer. However, they are free to sell policies from any number of insurance providers they are affiliated with. They typically have a much more extensive portfolio of policies they can offer. However, they often lack enough in-depth knowledge about the specific product and may be unreliable depending on the individual. 

If you want to purchase a policy, you would not go wrong either way, but it might be essential to understand these differences when choosing something as crucial as health insurance. 

How can a health insurance agent guide you to the right plan?

1. An agent can listen and understand your needs and requirements, including age, lifestyle, medical history, pre-existing diseases, planned healthcare needs, etc. 
2. By understanding and assessing these needs, they can showcase specific policies that might be beneficial and recommend plans keeping your budget in mind. For example, if you are a diabetic or are diagnosed with hypertension, they can recommend specific plans or riders that can offer coverage for those. 
3. After selection, they will help you with the purchase process, help clarify any queries, explain the policy details, the claims process, etc.

If you are still confused about how to approach an agent or insurance provider, consider Niva Bupa. They are industry leaders in health insurance, offering comprehensive plans with agents who can make your purchase process a lot simpler and hassle-free. 

Conclusion

Suppose you are considering purchasing health insurance or just looking to understand why everyone is talking about the importance of health insurance. In that case, consider approaching a health insurance consultant; they can help you choose the right plan or clarify any doubts you may have. As we enter 2024, consider the importance of healthy living and get the right health insurance today to be free to live your life to the fullest.