What is Family Health Insurance?

Table of Content
1. Why Buy Health Insurance for Your Family?
2. What are the Benefits of Purchasing Health Insurance Plans for Family
3. How to Save Tax with Family Health Insurance?
4. Difference between Individual Health Insurance vs Family Health Insurance Plans
5. Reasons to Choose Online Health Insurance for Family
6. How to File a Claim for a Family Health Insurance Plan?
7. Documents Needed for Family Health Insurance Claims
8. Conclusion
Most people feel that with adequate savings, health insurance for medical emergencies is not required. However, even before you realise the savings dwindle considering the rising cost of treatment expenses. Health insurance plans for family keep your savings intact while providing for your entire family’s medical expenses. Under comprehensive family health plans, all family members share a fixed sum insured. The plan covers hospitalisation expenses, day-care treatments, preventive health check-ups, maternity care, ambulance services, etc. It is a cost-effective way of insuring your family against medical emergencies.
Why Buy Health Insurance for Your Family?
Health insurance policies for family are a must-have for several reasons. They are:
Medical Costs are Rising Rapidly
Employer-provided Insurance May Not be Enough
Save on Family Health Insurance Premiums
Medical costs are rising exponentially. Assuming that savings can save you from a financial crisis during a family medical emergency can prove wrong. Savings vanish even before you realise it, and the rest of the family will be uncovered. The best health insurance plans for family offer coverage for the whole family under a single plan.
Some insurance companies provide family health insurance plans with maternity care where maternity care is an add-on benefit to the base plan for expenses related to childbirth. Riders such as critical illness insurance help customise the plan for the specific health needs of your family.
You can include your parents, spouses, and children under the employer-provided insurance plans. However, it cannot be customised as per your family’s requirements. The other disadvantage is that the coverage ceases if you lose or quit your job. Though it is better than having separate health insurance for parents and other family members, it has its limitations. The best health insurance plans for family are a better option to have adequate coverage for all family members.
Covering all family members under family health insurance is more economical than having individual health insurance plans for each family member. Moreover, it saves the hassle of paying multiple premiums.
What are the Benefits of Purchasing Health Insurance Plans for Family
The family health insurance benefits are:
Comprehensive Coverage for Family
Pre and Post-Hospitalization Coverage
Affordable Premium
Insure New Family Members Easily
Tax Benefits
The benefits of health insurance for families are manifold. However, buying separate policies for them can burden your pocket. The best health insurance for families covers all the family members under a single plan. You can include parents, children, spouses, and parents-in-law in the plan. It is economical and avoids multiple premiums and renewals.
The family health insurance plans India cover pre and post-hospitalisation expenses. All expenses incurred 30 to 60 days before hospitalisation and 60 to 90 days after discharge, such as tests, consultations, and medicines, are eligible for reimbursement. This reduces out-of-pocket expenses and ensures a stress-free treatment experience for all the family members.
The family health insurance policies are more cost-effective than purchasing different types of health insurance plans for each family member. You can opt for a sum insured adequately to cover all family members at an affordable premium. You can include your spouse, children, parents, and parents-in-law under a single plan.
If you have an individual health insurance plan, you should buy a new plan for a new member as and when your family expands. Health insurance for family allows you to include new members i.e., a spouse or a newborn for an extra premium at various life stages. Ensure to enhance the sum insured if you plan to add your parents under the plan as they may need constant medical attention.
Under the family floater insurance plan, you pay premiums for your children, spouse, and parents. Premiums paid towards the policy in a financial year are eligible for tax deduction under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act of 19611.
How to Save Tax with Family Health Insurance?
The group health insurance for family provides protection against medical emergencies for the entire family. It also reduces the overall tax liability. The premiums paid towards the policy in a financial year are eligible for tax deduction under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act 19611. Individuals below 60 years can claim up to Rs. 25000, and senior citizens can claim deductions up to Rs. 50000/-.
Difference between Individual Health Insurance vs Family Health Insurance Plans
The differences between individual health insurance plans and health insurance plans for family are given below:
Features |
Individual Health Insurance |
Family Health Insurance |
Coverage |
Only one person is covered under the plan. Separate policies have to be purchased for every family member. |
The family members share the benefits. The plan covers children, spouses, parents, and parents-in-law under a single plan. |
Sum Insured |
Sum insured can be used for the medical treatment of only one person, i.e., the policyholder. |
The sum insured is shared among all the family members. |
Premiums |
Exorbitant as separate policies have to be bought for every family member. |
Cost-effective. A single premium to cover all the family members. |
Coverage Offered |
Substantial coverage as the sum insured is dedicated only to the policyholder |
Is limited as all the family members share the sum insured. If in case one family member utilises the entire sum insured, no coverage is available for the others. |
Renewal |
Renewal can be cumbersome. A separate policy is purchased for each family member. Renewals of multiple policies at different dates can be overwhelming. |
Renewing health insurance plans for family is simple. Only one policy has to be renewed. Only one renewal date is easy to remember. |
Reasons to Choose Online Health Insurance for Family
The reasons to choose online family health coverage options are
More Convenient
Quick Quotes
Safe Payment Method
The first and foremost reason to choose online family medical insurance plans is convenience. A family health insurance policy comparison can be done online for an informed decision. You need not visit the nearest service provider’s branch, fill in various forms, and wait for your turn to submit them. You can purchase the plan at anytime from anywhere and in the comfort of your home or workplace.
You get instant quotes when you buy a health insurance policy for your family online. As soon as you provide the required input, you get quotes from different insurance companies. You can compare the price and benefits and choose the most affordable family health insurance with optimum coverage.
Digital payment methods give little scope for mishaps. Individuals prefer online platforms to cash or cheques. You can pay through debit cards, credit cards, UPI, Internet Banking, or digital wallets.
How to File a Claim for a Family Health Insurance Plan?
There are two methods to file a claim under health insurance for family members. They are the cashless method and the reimbursement method. The procedure to follow to file a claim is as follows:
Cashless Claim
Reimbursement Claim
Inform your service provider within 24 hours of hospitalisation. For planned treatments, inform those 48 hours before admission.
Fill up the pre-authorisation form prescribed for cashless claims. This form is available at the hospital’s insurance desk or the service provider’s TPA.
Handover the pre-authorisation form duly filled and signed along with the required documents at the insurance desk. The hospital will coordinate directly with the insurance company.
The insurance company will review the claim and inform the hospital if approved. You also receive an SMS on approval.
For queries raised by the investigating team, the insurance company will contact the hospital.
If the cashless claim is rejected, you can file a reimbursement claim after discharge from the hospital.
Inform the insurance company within 24 hours of hospitalisation. For pre-planned hospitalisation, inform the insurer 48 hours before admission.
Undergo all the treatments and pay the hospital bills.
Collect all the documents, including details of treatment provided, test and scan reports, discharge summary, etc.
Submit the claim form along with all the documents to the insurer soon after discharge.
The claim investigation department will review the documents and details submitted.
Once the claim is verified, the insurance company will send an approval or rejection letter.
Documents Needed for Family Health Insurance Claims
The documents needed for health insurance plans for family are:
- Claim form duly filled and signed.
- Policy document copy and the insured’s health card.
- Discharge Summary.
- Doctor consultation and OT notes.
- Lab test and medical investigation reports.
- Hospital bills and payment receipts.
- Doctor’s prescription.
- Pharmacy bills with payment receipts.
- Any other documents as required by the service provider.
Conclusion
While family health insurance protects your family from the burden of rising medical expenses, pairing it with a life insurance plan ensures their long-term financial well-being, even in your absence.
Life insurance acts as a safety net that supports your love ones for future needs—be it household expenses, education, or repaying debts—if something unexpected happens to you. Together, health and life insurance form a comprehensive protection plan, helping you preserve your wealth, safeguard your family, and secure their future.
Getting both plans not only strengthens your financial planning but also brings peace of mind knowing your family is covered, no matter what life brings.
FAQs on Health Insurance for Family
Q. Which health insurance is best for families?
Family floater plan is the best health insurance policy for family. It covers your spouse, children, parents, and parents-in-law under a single plan eliminating the need for separate health insurance plan for each of them.
Q. What is a good price for family health insurance?
A premium of Rs. 15000 to Rs. 30000/- for a sum insured of Rs. 5 lakhs to Rs. 10 lakhs is considered a good price for health insurance plans for family. However, the price depends on the family member’s age, medical history, add-ons such as maternity care, critical illness insurance, etc.
Q. Is a family health insurance plan better than an individual health plan?
Considering the health insurance benefits for family and the comprehensive coverage, family health insurance plan is better than an individual health plan. The sum insured in an individual health plan is dedicated only to the insured whereas the sum insured in a family health plan is shared by all the family members. Also, it avoids the multiple premium payments and renewals which can be confusing and tiresome.
Q. Is a cashless facility provided under a family health insurance plan?
Yes. Cashless facilities are provided under a family health insurance plan at network hospitals. Ensuring the network list is exhaustive is crucial before buying a plan.
Q. What is a family floater health insurance plan?
A family floater health insurance plan is a policy where all the family members are covered under a single plan. You can include your parents, spouse, children, and parents-in-law in a single plan. The sum insured will be shared by all the members.
Q. What is the age limit for taking a family health insurance policy?
The age limit for taking a family health insurance policy is between 18 to 65 years for adults and 90 days for the newborn.
References:
1. https://www.deccanherald.com/dhbrandspot/comprehensive-health-insurance-plans-for-family-protect-your-loved-ones-today-3420618
2. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/the-importance-of-having-a-separate-health-insurance-plan-for-your-parents-explained/articleshow/107933187.cms

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1. Tax benefits & exemptions are subject to conditions of the Income Tax Act, 1961 and its provisions. Tax Laws are subject to change from time to time. Customer is requested to seek tax advice from his Chartered Accountant or personal tax advisor with respect to his personal tax liabilities under the Income-tax law.
2. Annual Premium amount ₹ 1869 for Male aged 35 years, Base Benefit, 10 years term, Regular Pay option, Sum Assured=10 lakhs, excluding Taxes & levies as applicable.
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