Security from Medical Inflation
As of now, medical inflation is running at an estimated rate of 12% to 14% annually. Therefore, to protect your years of savings from frequent medical expenses for your ageing parents, health insurance is essential.
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What is Health Insurance for Parents?
Health insurance for parents is a specialised medical policy designed to cover hospitalisation and age-related healthcare costs for your ageing mother and father. It generally covers pre- and post-hospitalisation expenses, day-care procedures, and even preventative health check-ups.
When choosing health insurance for parents, you can opt for a family floater policy that includes them with other family members or a senior citizen health insurance policy specifically designed for older adults.
Note that the premium of these policies will significantly vary based on the age, medical history and pre-existing conditions of your parents.Why Do Parents Need Health Insurance?
Covering your parents with an adequate health insurance policy is necessary for the following reasons:
Financial Protection After Retirement
After retirement, covering frequent medical expenses will be hard for your parents due to low income. However, with health insurance for parents above 60 years, they can get the best medical facilities without worrying about the hospital bills.
Support During Major Illnesses
With growing age, people become prone to major life-threatening health risks, such as cancer or kidney failure. If they have a health insurance policy with critical illness cover, they can reduce the financial impact of these instances with a lump-sum amount.
Types of Health Insurance for Parents
The section below showcases the key types of health insurance for parents you can get in India.
Under this health insurance for parents, each of your parents gets a dedicated, separate sum insured. As a result, one parent's claim won't exhaust the other's cover. So, if your parents have a history of chronic illnesses or significant age gaps, this plan is ideal.
Features of Health Insurance for Parents
From comprehensive hospital cover to tax benefits, have a look at the key features of the health insurance plans for parents.
This policy covers a wide range of eligible medical or hospital expenses, such as room rent, doctor’s fees, ICU charges and nursing costs.
What is Covered Under Health Insurance Plans for Parents?
The health insurance for parents in India generally covers the following benefits:
1
In-patient Hospitalisation
Covers eligible expenses, such as room rent and diagnostic tests when a policyholder is admitted to a hospital.
2
Domiciliary Hospitalisation
Expenses for treatments taken at home when hospitalisation is medically required are covered in the policy.
3
Pre and Post Hospitalisation
Covers expenses incurred 30-90 days before and 60-180 days after the hospitalisation, as per the policy terms.
4
AYUSH Treatments
Inpatient care under Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy is generally part of parents' healthcare plans.
5
Modern Treatments
Advanced procedures like robotic surgeries, immunotherapy, and oral chemotherapy are covered under the policy.
What is Excluded in a Health Insurance for Parents?
Most medical insurance plans for parents generally reject claims under the following circumstances.
Pre-Existing Diseases
If the policyholder is diagnosed with a chronic health condition, such as diabetes, before buying the policy, they cannot claim coverage before the waiting period, usually up to 36 months.
Initial 30-Day Waiting Period
Apart from accident injuries, any illness diagnosed within the first 30 days of policy inception is completely excluded.
Self-Inflicted Injuries and Substance Abuse
Hospitalisation due to attempted suicide, intentional self-harm, or the overconsumption of alcohol and drugs is strictly excluded from these plans.
Specific Treatments:
Surgeries or treatments related to cosmetic enhancement and dental procedures are generally not covered.
How Much Health Insurance Coverage is Enough for Parents?
You can choose the sum insured in health insurance based on your age, as shown in the table below.
| Age Group | Coverage Amount | Why it Suits |
|---|---|---|
| 45–60 Years | ₹15–₹20 lakh | Covers preventive care, planned procedures and early lifestyle conditions. |
| 60–70 Years | ₹20–₹30 lakh | Suits to cover sudden age-related surgeries and senior healthcare needs |
| Above 70 Years | ₹30-50 lakh | Ideal for covering heavy costs tied to diabetes, blood pressure or heart conditions |
| Pre-existing Conditions | Above ₹50 lakh | Handles frequent hospitalisations and long-term chronic illness management |
How to Choose the Best Health Insurance Plans for Parents?
While comparing health insurance for parents, you must keep the following factors in mind:
Always choose an adequate sum insured considering rising medical costs.
Factors Affecting Health Insurance Premium for Parents
Based on the following personal and policy-related factors, insurers generally assess the cost of your health insurance plans for parents.
Parent’s Age
To insure parents above 60 years, policyholders need to pay higher premiums due to higher medical risks.
Medical History
If your parents have pre-existing conditions, such as hypertension or thyroid issues, you generally get higher premiums.
Location
If the beneficiary lives in metro cities, like Kolkata or Mumbai, policyholders have to pay more premium for the high treatment costs.
Add-on Options
Including add-ons such as hospital cash and OPD cover will increase the premium due to added protection.
Eligibility Criteria of Health Insurance Policy for Parents
The table below shows the eligibility criteria to buy health insurance for parents via Pluto:
| Eligibility Criteria | Features |
|---|---|
| Age Limit | Standard Plans: Often capped at 70 years |
| Senior Citizen Plans: 60 years, with no maximum age limit | |
| Residency | Both Indians and NRIs can purchase the policy for their parents. |
| Medical Screening | Parents aged 45 and above might have to undergo a pre-policy medical screening. |
Health Insurance for Parents vs Senior Citizen Health Insurance
The key difference between health insurance for parents and senior citizen health insurance lies in the following factors, as showcased below.
| Parameter | Health Insurance for Parents | Senior Citizen Health Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Premium | Cost-effective, especially with family floater plans | Higher due to immediate age-related risk |
| Waiting Period | Longer for pre-existing conditions | Generally comes with lesser waiting period |
| Medical Tests | Usually not necessary for younger parents | Generally mandatory before policy issuance |
Tax Benefits of Buying a Health Insurance Policy for Parents
Under Section 126 of the Income Tax Act, 2025, you can avail tax benefits on the health insurance premium for parents. However, these deductions are subject to the old tax regime. Have a look at the table to understand the health insurance for parents tax benefit.
| Beneficiaries | Premium Limit | Deduction Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Individual and Family with Parents (All below 60 years old) | ₹25,000 + ₹25,000 | ₹50,000 |
| Individual and Family (Below 60 years old) with Parents (Above 60 years old) | ₹25,000 + ₹50,000 | ₹75,000 |
| Individuals, Families and Parents (All Above 60 years old) | ₹50,000 + ₹50,000 | ₹1,00,000 |
Documents Needed to Buy Health Insurance for Parents
You will need the following documents to buy a parents’ health insurance policy from Pluto:
How to Buy Health Insurance for Parents Via Pluto?
Buying health insurance for parents via Pluto Insurance is extremely simple if you follow the steps given below:
Step 1:
Go to our ‘Get Quote’ section and enter your parents' basic details such as name, age, date of birth, mobile number and email ID.
Step 2:
Look at the available policy options and select a plan that fits the medical requirements of your parents.
Step 3:
Fill the policy proposal form with accurate details and submit the documents, such as Aadhaar, PAN and salary slips, as required by your insurer.
Step 4:
Review the details and pay the premium through a secure digital payment mode. Therefore, within a few hours, you will receive your policy documents.
How to Claim Health Insurance for Your Parents?
To file a claim for medical insurance plans for parents, follow this simple process:
Cashless Claim
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Choose a network hospital linked with your insurer.
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Show your parent’s health card and ID proof at the insurance desk.
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Fill out the pre-authorisation form with medical details.
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Wait for the insurer's approval before or during treatment.
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After verification, the insurer will directly pay eligible treatment expenses to the hospital.
Reimbursement Claim
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Notify us within the permitted timeframe.
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Pay your parent’s hospital bills upfront during discharge.
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Submit all required medical documents, invoices, and hospital bills for the claim.
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The reimbursement amount will be transferred to your bank account once the insurer verifies the claim.
Frequently Asked Question
Which health insurance is best for parents?
The best health insurance for parents generally depends heavily on their age and current medical conditions. For instance, if your parents are generally healthy and below 60 years, add them to your family floater policy.
Can I get separate health insurance for my mother?
Yes, you can buy a dedicated health insurance plan for your mother. You can cover her under an individual plan or a senior citizen plan if she is above 60 years old.
Can I get free quotes for parents' health insurance? Yes, with Pluto Insurance, you can get free and transparent online quotes
Yes, with Pluto Insurance, you can get free and transparent online quotes for a parent’s health insurance plan.
Does health insurance for parents cover preventive health check-ups?
Yes, many health insurance plans for parents do cover preventive health check-ups, though the exact terms depend on your specific policy.
What documents are required for a cashless claim in health insurance?
For a cashless health insurance claim, you must submit a completed pre-authorisation form, your health insurance card and a government photo ID to the network hospital's insurance desk.