How Long is Post-Hospitalisation Cover Typically in Health Insurance?

Generally speaking, most insurance plans in India usually cover the patient for 30 to 90 days post-discharge from the hospital. The purpose behind the provision of this benefit is to cover any medical expenses arising out of the need for follow-up treatment after being discharged from the hospital.

What is Post-Hospitalisation Cover?

Post-hospitalisation cover is the amount paid by the insurer for any medical expenses arising from treatment provided to the insured individual after discharge from the hospital, for the illness or injury covered under the plan.

How Many Days Are Usually Covered?

The duration varies from one insurer to another, but common coverage periods include:

• 30 days after discharge under basic health insurance plans


• 60 days in many comprehensive policies


• 90 days or more in certain advanced or high-coverage plans

Some insurers may also extend the duration for specific illnesses or critical treatments. However, the expenses must generally be related to the original hospitalisation claim.

What expenses are commonly included?

It depends on various companies, but the commonly seen durations of the coverage plan are:

• 30 days post-discharge from basic health insurance plans


• 60 days from most comprehensive policies


• 90 days or higher for a few advanced or highly-covered policies

But some companies may have a provision wherein they provide an extension to particular diseases or critical care procedures. These expenses need to be incurred because of the previous hospitalisation claim.

Some of the expenses which come under the post-hospitalisation claim could be:

• Doctor visitation post-discharge


• Medicines prescribed by doctors


• Diagnosis test charges


• Physiotherapy, if required by the doctor


• Few minor treatments for recovery


• Any nursing cost recommended by your treating doctor


• These charges are reimbursed, provided there is a proper documentation

Conditions That Apply to Post-Hospitalisation Claims

Health insurance companies usually apply several conditions prior to reimbursement of such expenses. Some of them are:

• Previous hospitalisation charges should be covered as per your health insurance policy


• It needs to be for a similar disease as your first hospitalisation


• There needs to be a proper document


• This expense should be incurred during the period defined in the health policy wording


• If the treatment is unrelated to the original hospitalisation, the claim may not be accepted under post-hospitalisation benefits.

Is Post-Hospitalisation Cover Available in All Health Insurance Plans?

This may be one of the benefits that most of the health insurance policies come with; however, the duration and nature of the expense might vary from one health insurance policy to another.

For instance, some health insurance policies will limit the following:

• Maximum coverage amount


• Coverage of treatments


• Room rent cover in connection with hospitalisation


• Hospitals within the network in case of a cashless claim

It is essential to review the terms of the policy carefully.

Why This Benefit Matters

The cost of medical treatment is not necessarily over when the patient gets discharged from the hospital. It takes time to recover from the effects of the surgery, injury, infection, and so forth. Post-discharge insurance can ease the financial burden of further medical and recovery care.

It is helpful to consider the following while purchasing an insurance policy:

• No. of days of post-discharge coverage offered


• Claim procedure


• Wait period


• Exceptions and limits

The eligibility for coverage and claim varies from insurer to insurer and according to the specific situation. Reading the policy document thoroughly prevents any misunderstanding during the claim.