In recent years, there has been a notable shift in health insurance coverage among women in India, reflecting both progress and persistent challenges:
These statistics underscore the critical need for health insurance plans that cater specifically to women's unique healthcare requirements. In this blog, we will explore the best health insurance for women in India, focusing on plans that offer comprehensive coverage, affordability, and benefits tailored to women's health needs.
Top 5 Best Health Insurance For
Women in India
| Features | Star Women Care Insurance Plan | HDFC ERGO Women Suraksha Plan | Bajaj Allianz Women Specific Critical Illness Plan | HERizon Care-Women Health Insurance | Future Generali HEALTH POWHER |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age Criteria / Age Range | - Individual Sum Insured: Females aged 18 to 75 years. - Floater Sum Insured: Adults 18 to 75 years (at least one adult female must be in the family). - Dependent Children: 91 days to 25 years, - Unmarried and/or unemployed daughters can continue as dependents up to 30 years. - Surrogate Mother: 25 to 35 years. - Oocyte Donor: 25 to 35 years. |
For: Women Cancer Plus Plan | Women Cardiac Plan | Women CI Comprehensive Plan 18 to 65 years, 18 to Above 70 (based on premium rates) |
21 years to 65 years | 18-80 years | The age criteria for Essential, Advance and Supreme are below: Adult: Min - 18 years, Max - 65 years Dependent Children: Min - Day 1, Max - 25 years (under Family Floater) |
| Waiting Period | - Pre-existing Diseases Waiting Period: 24 months - Initial Waiting Period: 30 days - Specific Illness Waiting Period: 24 months - Delivery Expenses: 12 months (For a sum insured of up to Rs 10 lakh) 24 months (For a sum insured of Rs 15 lakh 7 above) - Assisted Reproduction Treatment: 36 months - Ante Natal Care: 12 months (For a sum insured of up to Rs 10 lakh) 24 months (For a sum insured of Rs 15 lakh 7 above) - In Utero Fetal Surgery/ Repair: 12 months (For a sum insured of up to Rs 10 lakh) 24 months (For a sum insured of Rs 15 lakh 7 above) - Miscarriage Due to Accident: 12 months (For a sum insured of up to Rs 10 lakh) 24 months (For a sum insured of Rs 15 lakh 7 above) - Bariatric Surgery: 24 months - Voluntary Sterilization: 24 months - Cancer Cover: 180 days |
4 years for pre-existing conditions, 90 and 180 days as per illness, 1 year for optional Pregnancy and Newborn Complications | 90 days for critical illness coverage | 30 days | The waiting period for Essential, Advance and Supreme are below: Initial Waiting Period: 30 days Specific Waiting Period: 24 Months and 36 Months Pre-existing Waiting Period: 36 Months |
| Cashless Facility | 12000+ network hospitals | Available under HDFC ERGO's network hospitals for all plans | 18,400+ network hospitals | Yes, available at network hospital | Available at Future Generali's wide network of leading hospitals. |
| Pre/Post Hospitalization | The Star Women's Care policy covers pre-hospitalization expenses for up to 60 days before hospitalization and post-hospitalization expenses for up to 90 days after discharge, inclusive of the sum insured. | Coverage for pre-hospitalization up to 60 days and post-hospitalization up to 90 days is included in all plans | Yes, covered | Pre-hospitalization: Up to 60 days; Post-hospitalization: Up to 90 days | The Pre/post Hospitalization for essential is Pre-Hospitalization: Up to 30 DaysPost-Hospitalization: Up to 60 Days and for Advance and Supreme: Pre-Hospitalization: Up to 60 Days and Post-Hospitalization: Up to 90 Days |
| Premium Range (Approx. Annual) |
It startss from ₹7,965 and covers a sum insured range of ₹5 lakh to ₹1 crore. | Depends on age and sum insured. | ₹250 to ₹5469 depending on age and sum insured | For essential: For a 30-year-old female: Approximately ₹17,519 - ₹21,591 for ₹5 Lakhs - ₹10 Lakhs Sum Insured. For Advance: For a 30-year-old female: Approximately ₹27,669 - ₹29,227 for ₹15 Lakhs - ₹20 Lakhs Sum Insured. For Supreme: For a 30-year-old female: Approximately ₹35,879 - ₹49,507 for ₹25 Lakhs - ₹1 Crore Sum Insured. |
|
| Claim Settlement % (Overall) | 85.32% | No specific percentage mentioned | 90% | 93.54% | above 80% |
| Unique Benefits | Covers modern treatments, AYUSH treatments, surrogacy, and oocyte donor complications | For Women Cancer Plus Plan: Covers Cancer and Major Illnesses specific to women. Optional Loss of Job and Post Diagnosis Support available. Reduced premium benefit. For Women Cardiac Plan Covers Cardiac Ailments and Procedures. Optional Loss of Job and Post Diagnosis Support available. Reduced premium benefit. For Women CI Comprehensive Plan Covers Cancer, Major Illnesses, Surgical Procedures, Cardiac Ailments & Procedures, and 41 Critical Illnesses. Optional Loss of Job and Post Diagnosis Support available. Reduced premium benefit |
Children Education Bonus, Loss of Job benefit | Covers 34 critical illnesses, maternity, surrogacy, wellness services, legal expense support | For Essential: The plan includes maternity benefits, female cancer coverage, preventive care, wellness programs, mental health support, and fitness and nutrition services. For Advance: The Advance plan covers maternity benefits, female cancers, infertility (₹2L), sterilization (₹50K), menstrual health, menopause, preventive care, mental health support, wellness programs, senior care, nursing care (₹500/day), temporary help (₹750/day), and enhanced OPD limits. For Supreme: The Supreme plan offers top maternity benefits, ₹3L infertility coverage, ₹50K sterilization, menstrual health, menopause, preventive care, mental health support, wellness programs, senior care, nursing care (₹750/day), domestic help (₹1K/day), and the highest OPD limits. |
| Is Portability Available | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | For all Plan: Not applicable for Bariatric Surgery, Ante-Natal Care, Maternity Expenses, Newborn Defect, Infertility Expenses, Voluntary Sterilization. General portability information not explicitly stated for other covers in a yes/no format, refer to policy details. |
| Sum Insured (in ₹) | Options from ₹5,00,000 to ₹1,00,00,000 | ₹1 Lakh to ₹1 Crore, possibly up to ₹5 Crore, ₹3 Lakhs to ₹24 Lakhs (online) in all the plans | ₹50,000 to ₹200,000 | ₹3 lakhs to ₹2 crores | For Essential: 5 Lakhs, 10 Lakhs, For Advance: 15 Lakhs, 20 Lakhs, For Supreme: 25 Lakhs, 50 Lakhs, 75 Lakhs, 1 Crore |
| Policy Type (Individual / Floater) | Available as both | Can cover multiple women in the family under a single policy. Health Insurance available for Individual and Family. Covers specific female relatives in all the plans | Individual | Individual only | Individual/Non-floater and Family Floater options are available in all three plans. |
| Policy Tenure | Options for 1 year, 2 years, or 3 years | 1, 2 & 3 year options available | 1 year, 2 years, or 3 years | 1 to 5 years with lifelong renewals | The Policy Tenure in all plans are Minimum 1 Year, Maximum 3 Years |
| Refill / Restoration Benefits | 100% of the sum insured is restored once in a policy period. | Not mentioned clearly, check with insurance company | Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Company allows the sum insured to be reinstated only once in a policy year. | Complete Exhaustion: The sum insured is restored only after the entire initial amount is used. Partial Exhaustion: The sum insured is restored even if only a portion of the initial amount is used. |
For all three Plan: Restoration of Sum Insured: Available once in a Policy Year (Up to 100% S.I.) if the Sum Insured and Cumulative Bonus (if any) is completely or partially exhausted for a second claim, but not for the first claim. Available once in a lifetime for claims related to Chemotherapy and Dialysis. Restoration of OPD Sum Insured: Available up to 200% of SI, once in a Policy Year, if the available OPD SI is insufficient for covering a claim incurred towards Mental/ Psychiatric illness. |
| No Claim Bonus | Cumulative bonus at 20% of sum insured per claim-free year, up to 100% | starts at 20% after the first claim-free year | Not mentioned clearly, check with insurance company | 10% for each claim-free year, up to a maximum of 50% | No Clain Bonus in all three policies are: Cumulative Bonus increases by 10% of SI per annum, Max up to 50% of Base Sum Insured for each claim-free policy year, provided the policy is renewed without a break. |
| Coverage for Complications | Coverage includes complications arising from pregnancy, voluntary sterilization, in utero fetal surgeries, and miscarriage due to accidents, subject to waiting periods and policy terms. | Plan covers complications related to pregnancy, such as ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy, and eclampsia, along with newborn complications like Down syndrome, spina bifida, and cleft palate, ensuring comprehensive support for critical maternal and child health issues | Covers 8 specific critical illnesses: Breast Cancer, Fallopian Tube Cancer, Uterine/Cervical Cancer, Ovarian Cancer, Vaginal Cancer, Permanent Paralysis of Limbs, Multitrauma, Burns | Yes, includes complications related to surrogacy and oocyte retrieval | The Instant Cover for all three plans: Covers complications arising due to physiological conditions associated with Puberty & Menopause (IPD covered up to Sum Insured). Also provides coverage for newborn baby defects. Coverage for other specific complications should be checked in the policy wordings. |
| Coverage for OPD/Medication | Yes covered. It also covers prescribed medications. | Outpatient Counselling covered under Post Diagnosis Support (optional) with limits | Not mentioned clearly, check with insurance company | Yes | For Essential: OPD Treatment (for Female): Covered up to ₹2.5K each policy year irrespective of Policy Type. Puberty & Menopause Disorders (for Female): OPD Limit - Up to ₹7.5K each policy year.Medication costs within OPD are typically covered under the OPD benefit limit. For Advance: OPD Treatment (for Female): Covered up to ₹3.5K each policy year irrespective of Policy Type. Puberty & Menopause Disorders (for Female): OPD Limit - Up to ₹10K each policy year.Medication costs within OPD are typically covered under the OPD benefit limit. For Supreme: OPD Treatment (for Female): Covered up to ₹5K each policy year irrespective of Policy Type. Puberty & Menopause Disorders (for Female): OPD Limit - Up to ₹15K each policy year.Medication costs within OPD are typically covered under the OPD benefit limit. |
*Please read the disclaimer at the end of this page before purchasing this policy.*
Our Top 2 Picks for Best Women's Health Insurance Policies
While there are a lot of health insurance plans for women in India, below are the top 2 picks for the best ones based on their features and limitations:
Star Women Care Insurance Plan
Star Women Care Insurance Plan is a comprehensive health insurance policy designed exclusively for women. It covers maternity, newborn care, and critical illnesses while offering cashless hospitalisation, wellness benefits, and lifelong renewability without pre-medical screening.
Why It Stands Out
Offers extensive coverage, including modern treatments, AYUSH treatments, and maternity benefits.
Covers unique aspects like surrogacy, oocyte donor complications, and in utero fetal surgeries.
100% restoration benefit for the sum insured.
No Claim Bonus (NCB) of up to 100%, rewarding claim-free years.
Cashless treatment at 12,000+ network hospitals, making it easy to access medical care.
Potential Limitations
Waiting periods are slightly longer for certain treatments (e.g., Assisted Reproduction Treatment: 36 months, Cancer Cover: 180 days).
Limited portability details, which may be a concern for people looking to switch insurers easily.
Higher premiums compared to other women-centric plans.
Future Generali HEALTH POWHER
Future Generali HEALTH POWHER is a specialised women’s health insurance plan, offering coverage for maternity, critical illnesses, and wellness benefits. It provides financial security with features like cashless hospitalisation, preventive care, and exclusive women-centric benefits.
Why It Stands Out
Tailored specifically for women’s health, covering maternity, infertility, menstrual health, menopause, mental health, and cancer.
Covers OPD expenses, which most traditional plans don’t.
Restoration of Sum Insured up to 100% for second claims.
Flexible Sum Insured options from ₹5 Lakh to ₹1 Crore, making it suitable for different budgets.
Cumulative Bonus of up to 50% of base sum insured, increasing coverage over time.
Covers complications related to puberty, menopause, and newborn defects, making it a holistic plan.
Potential Limitations
Lower claim settlement ratio (~80%) compared to some competitors.
Higher premiums for advanced plans (Advance & Supreme) when compared to standard women’s health policies.
Limited information on portability makes it unclear if switching insurers is hassle-free.
The waiting period for pre-existing diseases (36 months) may be longer than expected for some.
Why Do You Need the Best Health Insurance for Women?
Women need health insurance for several important reasons. Here is why if you are a woman, you will need the best health plan:
Benefits of Buying Health Insurance for Women
Women juggle multiple roles, often prioritising family over their own health. But medical emergencies don’t come with a warning, and healthcare costs are only rising. A good health insurance plan is not just a backup but a necessity. Here’s why every woman benefits from getting a health plan:
Financial Freedom
Medical expenses can be unpredictable and expensive. With women’s health insurance, you do not have to dip into your savings or depend on anyone else when a health issue arises. It gives you the confidence to seek the best treatment without worrying about the bills.
Maternity Coverage
Pregnancy and childbirth come with significant medical expenses. Some women’s health insurance with maternity benefits covers hospitalisation, delivery, and even newborn care, reducing the financial burden during this crucial phase of life.
Preventive Care and Critical Illness
Regular health check-ups, screenings, and vaccinations help in early disease detection. Plus, insurance covers major illnesses like cancer, heart disease, and osteoporosis, ensuring access to quality treatment without the stress of high medical bills.
Tax Benefits
A little bonus, women’s health insurance premiums qualify for tax deductions under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act. This means you save money while securing your health!
Key Features to Look for in the Best Health Insurance for Women
When choosing a health insurance plan, women have unique needs that go beyond just basic hospitalisation coverage. Whether it is maternity benefits, emergency services, or post-hospitalisation care, the right policy can provide financial security and peace of mind.
So, what should you look for? Here are some key features that every woman should consider before picking a health insurance plan:
Maternity Benefits
Cashless Hospitalisation
Emergency Ambulance Services
Pre- and Post-Hospitalisation Expenses
Inclusions and Exclusions in Health Insurance for Women
Health insurance plans for women come with specific coverages and limitations. Here’s a quick breakdown:
Factors to Consider When Buying a Women’s Health Insurance Plan
Choosing the right health insurance plan for women requires careful evaluation of various factors to ensure comprehensive coverage. Here’s what to keep in mind:
1
Type of Plan
Decide between individual health insurance, family floater plans, or women-specific policies that cater to maternity and critical illnesses.
2
Pre-Existing Cover
Check if conditions like PCOS, diabetes, or thyroid disorders are covered and the waiting period before you can make claims.
3
Maternity Cover
Ensure the women care plan includes prenatal, delivery, and postnatal expenses, along with newborn care and any pregnancy complications.
4
Claim Settlement
Look for insurers with a high claim settlement ratio to ensure a smooth and hassle-free claims process when needed.
5
Network Hospitals for Women’s Health Issues
Make sure the insurer has tie-ups with hospitals that offer specialised treatments for women, such as gynaecology and maternity care.
6
Waiting Period
Understand the waiting period for pre-existing diseases, maternity cover, and specific women-centric ailments before you can claim benefits.
7
Check Value-Added Services
Some women's healthcare plans offer free health check-ups, wellness programs, mental health support, and diet consultations as additional benefits.
8
Infertility and Maternity Cover
If planning for a family, check whether infertility treatments like IVF and maternity-related hospitalisations are covered.
9
Other Benefits
Look for additional perks like critical illness cover for female-specific diseases, preventive screenings, and post-hospitalisation expenses.
Disclaimer & Key Conditions
