What Is A Health Insurance Card? Know Why You Need It?

Health is our most precious possession, and yet it is vulnerable to unexpected twists of fate. Just when you least expect it, a sudden illness or injury can strike, leaving you with not only physical discomfort but also hefty medical bills. However, you can shield yourself from the financial burden of medical treatments by investing in health insurance.

To make things easier, health insurance companies and government health programs came up with a concept called health insurance cards. But what is a health card and how does it help you? It is a card that grants you access to a world of healthcare services, providing a sense of financial security and peace of mind. Whether you are dealing with a sudden illness or a planned medical procedure, having a health insurance card at hand can make a world of difference.

What is health card? What are its benefits? Let’s see this and more below!

What is Health Insurance Card?

A Health Insurance Card is a document given by health insurance companies or government health programs to policyholders. It is also called a health insurance identification card or health plan card and acts as evidence of enrollment, containing vital information about your health coverage. It includes your policy number, name, date of birth, the policy name with the sum insured, etc. You receive this card from the insurer at the time of policy issuance. With this card in hand, you can access medical services and ensure that your health risks are covered.

Benefits of Health Insurance Card

Here are some of the advantages of having a health insurance card -

You Can Avail of Cashless Hospitalisation

One significant benefit of owning a health insurance card is cashless hospitalisation which means that if you are admitted to a hospital that is part of your insurance company's network, you can receive treatment without having to pay anything upfront. When you arrive at the network hospital, all you need to do is present your health insurance card and start the cashless claim procedure. This ensures a smooth and prompt claim settlement and relieves you of the burden of arranging immediate funds at the time of need.

You Can Contact the Insurance Company Easily

Having a health insurance card makes it effortless to reach out to your insurance company since it includes the emergency helpline number of the insurer. This convenient feature helps you contact the insurer to intimate them about your health insurance claim.

You Get the Policy Details at Your Fingertips

It puts all your insurance policy details right at your fingertips. When you need to fill out a claim form or inform the insurer about your claim, you just have to mention your customer identification number or policy number available on your health insurance card. This serves as a quick and easy way for the insurance company to verify your information.

Helps with Easy Identification

A health insurance card makes the identification process simple and straightforward. It acts as proof of health insurance coverage, as well as to identify yourself as an active member of the plan. The card includes essential personal details and a unique identification number, enabling healthcare providers to easily confirm your eligibility for medical services.

Helps Verify the Validity Date

The health insurance card specifies the validity date of your insurance policies. It clearly indicates the date until which your coverage remains active. This information is crucial as it helps you stay informed about the duration for which you can avail the benefits of your health insurance.

Clarifies the Eligibility of the Claim

When you present your card for cashless treatments at a hospital, it allows the hospital to verify your identity, policy records, and the validity of your health insurance policy. This helps the hospital to ensure that everything is in order, so it can validate your claim for cashless treatments.

What Information Does the Health Insurance Policy Card Contain?

A health insurance policy card includes essential information, including –

• Your full name
• Your date of birth
• Name of the health insurance provider
• Policy number for the ongoing health insurance coverage
• Type of medical insurance policy you own
• Total sum insured under the current health insurance plan
• The expiration date of the ongoing health insurance policy

How to Get a Health Card?

When you buy health insurance, the insurer will give you the card along with the policy document. If your family is also covered by the plan, each member will get their own card. It is important to keep your health card handy to access healthcare services and important information about your coverage.

To conclude

A health insurance card is a vital document that gives important information about your policy. It offers benefits like cashless treatments, easy communication with the insurance company, quick verification of your eligibility for healthcare services, etc. It provides you with peace of mind knowing that you always have access to quality medical care when you need it - without worrying about the cost.