No Room Rent Capping | No Medical Check-up up to 55yrs | Tax Benefit up to 75k | Buy Health Insurance starting @ ₹244 pm Check Plans

Although many health insurance policies claim to cover a second opinion, it largely depends on the disease and its severity. If an insured is diagnosed with a critical illness like cancer, organ transplants, kidney failure, brain stroke or cardiac issues, getting a second opinion can offer a different approach to the diagnosis or to the further course of treatment. Depending on the health insurance policy that you have and on the severity of the disease, some health insurance companies may cover the cost of a second opinion as well. So when buying make sure you ask the insurer, “Are second opinions covered in health insurance?”

Important Update (Dated May 30, 2024) – Good news for Health Insurance policyholders! According to the Master Circular on Health Insurance Business 29052024 rolled out on May 29, 2024 by IRDAI, insurers are to decide on the request for cashless claims within 1 hour of receiving the request. Also, the final claim is to be granted within 3 hours after the policyholder’s discharge from the hospital. Insurers have been directed by IRDAI to establish necessary systems and procedures for this process by July 31, 2024.

 

The Master Circular on Health Insurance Business 29052024 circular is available here - https://irdai.gov.in/document-detail?documentId=4942918

How Does Second Opinion Work in Health Insurance?

Patients tend to look for second opinions when they aren’t satisfied with the treatment choices recommended by their current doctors. Sometimes people who have been diagnosed with illnesses like cancer or neurological disorders may be looking for opinions from highly qualified doctors who are more familiar with treating these diseases. Often the patients’ current doctors may themselves recommend the patients to get a second opinion if they are not very well versed with a particular disease.

 

Most health insurance plans offered by reputed insurance companies do provide coverage for a second opinion consultation, provided there is a genuine reason behind it. More importantly, each insurance company will have their own rules regarding second opinion coverage, which the patients must be aware of at the time of buying the policy. For instance, some insurers may allow patients to seek second opinions only on a specific pre-determined list of diseases. Some insurers may not even have any options for second opinion coverage, as it all depends upon the types of Health Insurance Plan you have purchased.

Importance of Second Opinion Cover in Health Insurance

Over the past few years, the cost of private healthcare in India has risen steeply and prolonged treatments or hospitalisations can be very financially taxing for an average person. There are many cases of patients who are forced to go into severe debt just to get life-saving medical treatments. Keeping all these things in mind, patients may be hesitant to approach new doctors for second opinions due to the fear of increased medical costs. This is where a second opinion cover in health insurance can be especially helpful as patients do not have to worry about the costs and they can get the right consultation as well as subsequent treatment for their medical conditions.

Why the Need for a Second Opinion?

The medical sector is probably one of the few industries where even small mistakes or miscalculations by doctors can cause harm to the patients. While the large majority of doctors do not make mistakes related to patient diagnosis and treatments, a very small margin for error remains. Patients are encouraged to take second opinions so that the treatment and recommendations they are getting can be cross-verified and improved upon. Getting a second opinion becomes even more important in case of critical medical conditions and rare diseases to ensure the best possible treatment. Here are a few reasons why patients may be looking to seek a second opinion:

 

  • If their symptoms continue even after treatment from their doctor.

  • If a patient is diagnosed with a rare disease, it is better to consult a doctor who has specialised knowledge and experience in treating the disease.

  • In case the treatment for a medical condition involves certain risks during procedures like surgery, it is better to get a second opinion just to validate that it is the correct course of action and minimise as much risk as possible.

  • If the patient is not satisfied with the diagnosis and treatment prescribed by their doctor, they should get a second opinion.

To Conclude

If you are looking to buy a health insurance plan for yourself and your family, read the policy documents to choose health plans that offer a second opinion cover as well as provide adequate medical cover. If you are confused about the cost of health insurance, you can use a health insurance premium calculator to estimate your costs. Buying health insurance is an important decision, so make sure you do thorough research and compare all plans online before settling on a final one. You can also check out the health insurance plans offered by Bajaj Markets.

FAQs on Second Opinion Cover in Health Insurance

Why is it important to seek a second opinion in healthcare?

It is important to get a second opinion for your medical treatments to ensure you are choosing the best possible option and not missing out on any safer or better alternative treatments. 

What are the benefits of getting a second opinion?

Here are the benefits of getting a second medical opinion:

  • You can find the best possible treatment options.

  • You can get expert opinions from different doctors that specialise in different medical fields.

  • You can cross-check whether the original treatment recommended is as per medical standards. 

When should I seek a second opinion?

You should seek a second opinion if you are uncomfortable or unsure about the treatment prescribed by your current doctor. You should also seek a second opinion if you suffer from a rare disease that needs specialised care. 

Do all health insurance plans provide coverage for a second opinion?

While most insurance plans have a second opinion included under the coverage, you should most definitely read the insurance policy documents to be sure. 

How can I buy health insurance at a low price?

You can get low-cost health insurance by comparing and analysing health plans offered by different companies online. 

Home
active_tab
Loan Offer
active_tab
CIBIL Score
active_tab
Download App
active_tab