Air Ambulance Cover in Health Insurance

Medical emergencies are unpredictable, especially in this fast-paced life. There have been times when people have felt perfectly fine all day–probably because they were too busy to listen to their body–and suddenly ended up needing medical attention by evening. Hence, health insurance plans have become a must-have for everyone. In fact, these days, a basic health insurance plan isn't enough. You need to enhance the benefits of your policy with add-on covers like air ambulance to make it more lucrative.

 

An air ambulance cover comes in handy during situations where you need to be taken from one place to another during critical conditions. For example, you're injured while travelling and you need medical treatment immediately. Air travel could be necessary for an emergency case or to get certain services. This type of ambulance is a specially-equipped plane, which facilitates patient transportation during an emergency. It ensures the patient reaches the destination safely for the treatment. Medical equipment like ECG machines and ventilators are stocked on these planes as the goal is to transport a patient from a faraway place to a hospital

Important Update (Dated May 30, 2024) – Good news for Health Insurance policyholders! According to the Master Circular on Health Insurance Business 29052024 rolled out on May 29, 2024 by IRDAI, insurers are to decide on the request for cashless claims within 1 hour of receiving the request. Also, the final claim is to be granted within 3 hours after the policyholder’s discharge from the hospital. Insurers have been directed by IRDAI to establish necessary systems and procedures for this process by July 31, 2024.

 

The Master Circular on Health Insurance Business 29052024 circular is available here - https://irdai.gov.in/document-detail?documentId=4942918

Here are a few benefits of having the expenses of air ambulance covered by insurance:

• Eliminates Long Distance Travel

The most important perk of the air ambulance facility is that it can save lives. Long-distance travel can be challenging for any patient suffering from a critical illness. Air ambulances become easily available for someone who needs to travel long distances for immediate medical attention.

• Larger Capacity

Air ambulance is equipped with all medical provisions required to offer interim care to the patient. While other ambulances can only transport limited supplies, an air ambulance would also have aeromedical personnel (who go through extensive training unlike the ground ambulance personnel). Moreover, this ambulance also allows family members to travel along with the patient.

• Well-Equipped to Treat Critical Patients

An air ambulance would contain pressure, ambience, and humidity controls along with medical equipment. With the modern medical emergency care provided in these ambulances, the patient's health is less likely to worsen while travelling.

• Safe and Comfortable

While ground ambulances do not pose any difficulty, they can be inconvenient for the patient. Air ambulances are completely hassle-free with excellent transportation quality. For most patients, medical transportation gets discomforting to a level where their health begins to deteriorate. Air ambulance ascertains that the patient doesn't spend long hours transporting due to traffic or any other type of delays on the road.

Not sure why would anyone need an air ambulance cover in health insurance? Here are a few instances where you could have the cost of air ambulance covered by insurance:

 

• In case you get injured while travelling and have to be taken to a hospital closer to your home.

• If you need specialist therapy at a rehabilitation centre or medical institution.

• In case you need to be taken to a hospital because of a sudden medical emergency like cardiac arrest or heart attack and you cannot reach there via car. During such emergencies, the patient should ideally reach the medical facility within an hour.

• In events where the patient requires specialised treatment while being transported.

 

READ MORE: Ambulance Cover in Health Insurance

You can get air ambulance cover added in your Bajaj Allianz Extra Care health insurance plan by paying extra on the premium amount. Check out the below table to know more about this healthcare plan:

Air ambulance services will not cover you under the following events:

 

• A suicide attempt

• Consumption of unprescribed drugs

• Injuries due to terrorism or insurgency

• Over 90 days of international trips without informing the insurance provider

• Transferring the patient from one hospital to another though they both have equal capabilities

• Evacuation or repatriation of a patient despite the lack of medical authorisation

• If the pregnancy has crossed the 28th week and the child is born after the 28th week of travel

• Minor injuries and illnesses

To claim your air ambulance cover, you need to get in touch with your insurer. You can reach out to them via their toll-free number or their official email ID. It is imperative to inform your insurance provider about the incident, so they can guide you through the process.

Air ambulance services can be a great add-on to your health insurance plan. You won’t have to worry about transporting yourself or your family members for special medical attention. On Bajaj Markets, we health plans that provide add-on benefits like air ambulance to their policyholders at an additional price. Check out our ‘Health Insurance page’ and get the best medical cover for yourself.

Health Insurance Plans Available at Bajaj Markets