The US has 7 popular health insurance programs with different features, benefits, and ways of working.

Since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, many Americans have been in need of health insurance. However, they often wonder which type of insurance to buy. Because there are many types of health insurance, it is difficult to make the right choice.

Unlike life insurance, which is purchased under the name of the main breadwinner in the family, health insurance is purchased under the name of all members. Note that there is no best health insurance policy, choose a policy that is comprehensive in nature with maximum coverage.

• Individual health insurance

When you need to buy health insurance for yourself in the US, the type of insurance you need to buy is an individual health insurance program, also known as Mediclaim. This type of insurance is purchased in the name of an individual, so the premium will be based on the age and the amount of insurance of the buyer.

The insurance company will reimburse the actual costs incurred according to the amount of insurance you purchased, called the indemnity policy. They will cover the costs if you are hospitalized for at least 24 hours.

• Family health insurance

This program is generally similar to individual health insurance. The benefits remain largely the same, but the insurance amount can be enjoyed by any, or all, family members. The premium of this program is lower than that of individual health insurance.

• Critical illness insurance

Unlike other health insurance packages, critical illness insurance does not depend on the patient’s hospital expenses. The contract will pay the full insurance amount when the patient is diagnosed with a specific disease.

All insurance companies cover 10-12 major critical illnesses or even more. These include cancer, coronary artery surgery, heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, aortic surgery, heart valve replacement, organ transplant, and paralysis.

• Hospital Daily Cover

As the name suggests, a hospital daily cover is a health insurance plan in which the insured pays a fixed amount every day when hospitalized.

This plan will cover hospital bills including room rent, doctor fees, and other charges, depending on the number of days the insured chooses.

• Standard Health Cover (Arogya Sanjeevani Policy)

If you are too confused by the many types of coverage offered by insurance companies, then this is the option to buy. Since the features and benefits of health insurance plans may vary from insurer to insurer, all insurers offer Standard Health Insurance for the convenience of policyholders.

This insurance plan aims to take care of basic health needs, has a similar policy, and allows seamless switching between insurers. The Arogya Sanjeevani policy will have only one indemnity policy, which means it will operate on a reimbursement basis.

• Covid-19 Symptom Based Insurance (Corona Kavach Policy)

Corona Kavach is a health insurance policy that only covers hospital bills based on Covid-19 symptoms. Generally, this type of insurance is only available with health insurers and operates on indemnity, namely reimbursement of hospital bills.

• Covid-19 Hospital Bill Insurance (Corona Rakshak Policy)

Corona Rakshak is also a specific health insurance policy that only covers hospital bills due to Covid-19. This type of insurance is common across all insurance companies, including life insurance companies.

In the Corona Rakshak insurance policy, 100% of the sum assured will be paid to the policyholder, as it is a benefit-based plan.