Why is cashless OPD becoming a big thing!

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Did you know that about 70% of all health expenditure incurred by Indians is not on intensive, in-hospital medical care, but rather on out-patient or OPD facilities? Yes, those visits to the doctor for a sore throat or fever are burning your pockets far more than you think!

While not all ailments need hospitalisation, they can certainly put a dent on your regular budget. And to safeguard yourself from these seemingly small yet hefty expenses, it’s important you have a cashless OPD cover. Here are some things you need to know about cashless OPD, and why it’s becoming big!

What’s covered?

By taking care of the doctor’s fee, cost of prescribed medicines and diagnostic tests, an OPD cover has you sorted.  Usually, you are first required to make payments from your pocket, which are later reimbursed by the insurance company. Sounds tedious, right? But under many current cashless OPD policies, all it takes is an app! Once you link your insurance policy, a specific amount is credited to you. This can be utilised while booking tests, buying medications and paying for doctor’s fees. So, nothing goes out of your pocket, and you are guaranteed financial security and quality medicare at all times.

With some OPD riders, like the Manipal Cigna Health 360 OPD rider, you can get an OPD cover of up to Rs 50,000. All you have to do is install the medibuddy app, and link your policy. Then, it’s business as usual! Consult a doctor, schedule your tests or buy medicines, whatever you want.

Apart from this, with an OPD cover, your dental and cosmetic treatments are also taken care of. In some other cases, you are issued a voucher by your insurance company, which you can use at network hospitals, diagnostic centres and pharmacies to cover your expenses. And all this, without actually having to dish out your wallet. This is a boon for patients suffering from chronic conditions like diabetes, psoriasis and more, which need constant monitoring, testing and OPD visits.

Under a cashless OPD, you and your family can make multiple claims during the policy period, and successfully. So, the same policy that pays for your wife’s monthly diabetic tests can also cover your regular blood pressure medications.

So, the next time you fall sick, your first thought should be to rest and recover, and not worry about the high cost of medicines and getting your tests done!