5 Things to Consider while Adding Your Spouse to Health Insurance

Marriage can bring a lot of change not just in your life but in your insurance requirements as well. If you are planning to get married soon or have recently gotten married, you might be thinking about adding your spouse to health insurance after marriage. This is quite a normal as your need for insurance after marriage may change.

A health insurance plan is purchased with the expectation of receiving much-needed financial aid during times of health crisis. So, when changing health insurance after marriage, it is essential that you do the required research. In this article, we will delve deep into the details of everything you need to know about changing insurance after marriage.

Things to Consider When Changing Your Health Insurance Policy after Marriage

If you are considering changing your health insurance policy after marriage, here are a few things that you must consider:

1. Health Condition of Your Spouse

Your and your partner’s health condition plays a vital role in deciding the premium of your health insurance plan. You must take into consideration the health conditions of your spouse and yourself as well and look for the  feature  like maternity or newborn cover as in-built or add-on.  Also, if either of you has a pre-medical condition, there can be an evident difference in the premium that you will have to pay.

2. Your Plans for Extending Your Family

If you are planning for a change in health insurance plans, you must take family planning into strong condition. As maternity expenses are growing with each passing year, it will be a smart decision if you choose a health insurance plan that also offers maternity benefits.

Pro Tip: Care Joy is a comprehensive maternity health insurance plan that comes with a short waiting period of just 9 months. Go through the plan details today, and make a timely decision so that by the time you start planning your family, you will have already served the waiting period.

3. Porting Your Health Insurance Policy

Porting a health plan is solely your decision as a policyholder. The reason behind having a health insurance plan is financial benefits and support at the time of need. If you feel the same is missing in your existing policy, and if you find a health plan that offers a better deal, it will be a smart choice to port to it.

Mostly, the portability of a health plan is done when you find a health plan that is more beneficial with better features and maybe lower premiums. IRDAI has laid several guidelines under which you can easily port your current health plan. However, when changing insurance after marriage keep the following aspects in mind:

• You would have to submit a porting request with the prospective insurance provider at least 45 days before your policy expires 
• You may be asked to submit certain documents like your policy papers and medical records
• Make sure to retain any accrued benefits such as No Claim Bonus or the waiting period credit
• If you have a family, you can switch from an individual plan to a family floater plan.

4. The Line of Treatment

Like many others, your partner may be more keen on taking a traditional line of treatment. IRDAI directs health insurance companies to offer coverage for AYUSH treatments. This includes treatments sought in a recognised hospital/ healthcare centre by an authorised medical professional. So, if you are planning to add your spouse to insurance after marriage who is keen on taking treatment through Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Sidha or Homeopathy, you can choose a policy that allows comprehensive coverage for alternate treatments.

5. The Hospital Preference

Your partner may prefer some clinics and hospitals more than others as they feel much more comfortable there and expect to receive better services. So, before you finalise the health insurance plan, make sure you have a look at the hospitals and clinics that fall under the network list of the particular company’s health insurance plan.

>> Also Read: Why a Family Floater Health Plan Makes Sense?

Adding Spouse to Employer’s Health Insurance

Once you are married, you will have to reassess your health insurance needs; that’s why even your company-owned health insurance needs a sanity check. If you are covered under group health insurance through your employer, which will also cover your partner, you should still consider combining health insurance after marriage with another policy. Most corporate/ group health insurance plans offer coverage from day 1. While this is indeed a great feature, keep in mind that they offer a modest sum insured. When you are single, the coverage may sound sufficient, but your needs may increase with additions to your family.

In case you have a regular health insurance plan, you still should add spouse to insurance after marriage. You also have the option of going for a separate policy for them. However, when changing health insurance after marriage the aforementioned important things you should always keep in mind.

Over to You

When you extend your family with your spouse, your needs in life, including medical requirements, increase. This is the reason why you should consider expanding or changing health insurance after marriage. Considering your spouse's requirements, your future plans, and your current health conditions, a health plan with comprehensive benefits can be a smart investment.

So whether it is combining health insurance after marriage or buying separate plans for each of you, make sure you and your partner have sufficient coverage.

Disclaimers: All plan features, benefits, coverage, and claims underwriting are subject to policy terms and conditions. Kindly refer to the brochure, sales prospectus, and policy documents carefully.