Travel and health insurance provide a protective net during medical emergencies by reducing the financial burden associated with hospital bills. However, many of us make the mistake of assuming that buying a health cover is sufficient and forget to read the fine print of the policy, which talks about coverage, waiting periods, exclusions and other important aspects. Today’s blog will be looking at the most common exclusions in health insurance policies.
Cosmetic surgery
Health insurance policies do not cover cosmetic procedures done to enhance your appearance. In some cases, however, the insurance company can cover cosmetic procedures for reconstructive surgery after an accident or injury when a registered medical practitioner suggests it.
Pre-existing conditions
A pre-existing condition is an illness or medical condition that occurs six months prior to buying health insurance coverage. They tend to be long-term and chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer, asthma, sleep apnea, depression, etc. Although in the UAE, all health insurance companies are required by law to provide patients with pre-existing conditions with cover, chronic illnesses will most likely be excluded or limited from your plan.
Pregnancy and maternity care
Most general health insurance policies do not cover pregnancy and related treatments. That said, pregnancy and maternity coverage vary significantly between plans. In some cases, the delivery could be covered, but the pre-natal and post-natal are excluded, so confirm with your insurance provider about coverage. If pregnancy and maternity care are excluded from your plan, you can always buy a separate maternity insurance cover.
Alternative and experimental treatments
Your health insurance only covers you for well-established treatments that have undergone necessary clinical trials and experiments and are proven effective. If you wish to participate in clinical trials and other experimental treatments, you will have to cater for those costs on your own. Alternative treatments such as acupuncture, acupressure, homoeopathy, massage are also excluded from most health insurance plans.
Dental and vision
Treatments related to eyes, ears, teeth are excluded from most health insurance covers. As an alternative, insurance companies sell plans specifically for dental and vision or offer additional riders to your existing plan.
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