Learn the Difference Between OPD and IPD Treatment

calendar_monthPublished on 22 Nov, 2024

autorenewUpdated on 2 Dec, 2024
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Written by Nidhi Goyal
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We wish life could be like the 5-star chocolate advertisement where we could just “do nothing.”

Laziness gives you the worst presents of your life: poor emotional well-being, decreased physical and mental health. It can take you from your bed to a hospital IPD bed. Postponing your daily fitness goals and procrastinating about switching to a healthy diet can have numerous health-related consequences. Laziness kills ambition, and an inactive lifestyle fosters underlying medical conditions.

Bearing the Consequences of Laziness is Not Easy

You burn fewer calories, may lose muscle strength, your bones may get weaker, and blood circulation can worsen. By not being physically active, you may be prone to many diseases such as obesity, stress, anxiety, high blood pressure, heart diseases, strokes, metabolic syndrome, and Type 2 diabetes.

If you catch any of these diseases, you enter a vicious cycle: OPD/IPD Doctor Visits → Diagnosis → Medicines → Treatment → Care

OPD and IPD in Healthcare

These are two different departments within a hospital. When you go to a doctor for treatment but don’t stay in the hospital overnight, it’s called OPD. On the other hand, a patient is admitted to the IPD in the hospital overnight to receive better medical care.

More than 1 lakh people have searched for the full form of OPD on Google, making it a buzz topic. Below, we’ll explore the key differences between these two terms and how procrastination can adversely affect your life. Stay tuned for a better understanding of the topic.

What is OPD?

OPD stands for Outpatient Department. OPD operates on a day-care basis in a clinic or hospital, where a patient receives medical care from a healthcare practitioner without the need for hospital admission.

OPD care includes routine check-ups, diagnostic tests like blood tests and X-rays, specialist consultations, and minor surgical procedures that don’t require hospitalization.

During OPD visits, the doctor assesses the patient’s condition and recommends treatment or medication, followed by further follow-ups if needed.

Usually, an individual will first receive OPD treatment at a hospital unless the case is an emergency. However, depending on the patient's condition, the doctor may recommend admission to IPD.

What is IPD?

IPD stands for Inpatient Department. In IPD, a patient is admitted to the hospital based on the doctor’s recommendation, depending on the severity of their illness. Medical conditions that require constant care and observation—such as surgeries, childbirth, or complex procedures—are treated under inpatient care.

OPD vs IPD

Here’s a breakdown of the basic differences between OPD and IPD treatment:

Parameter	OPD	IPD
Hospitalisation	No hospital admission is required	Requires hospital admission
Duration	Patients usually visit for short duration for treatment or consultation.	This department admits patients for surgeries, medical care or recovery for the time needed for their treatment.
Services Offered	Consultations, diagnosis, vaccination, and minor procedures	Intensive care, surgery, comprehensive medical care, continuous monitoring, round the clock supervision to the patient.
Treatment location	Doctor’s office or outpatient clinic	Hospital or healthcare facility
Nature of treatment	Non-emergency procedures	Emergency or non-emergency health conditions
Treatment Intensity	Less intensive medical conditions	Provides extensive and specialised treatments and medical interventions

Importance of Outpatient and Inpatient Health Insurance

IPD treatment is costlier than OPD due to surgeries, hospital stays, and intensive care.

However, OPD expenses can also be hefty depending on the diagnosis. For example, even a single consultation at a reputed hospital may cost you thousands of rupees. FY21 saw around 4.3 billion outpatient consultations. If we estimate each consultation costs at least Rs. 50, this amounts to Rs. 215 billion.

To avoid paying OPD/IPD fees out of pocket, purchasing a medical insurance policy is recommended. While IPD coverage is usually an in-built benefit, some insurance companies may offer OPD benefits as an add-on, which can be customized according to one’s insurance needs.

Scope of OPD/IPD Coverage Under Health Insurance

The rising inflation can severely affect your financial situation if you haven't invested in health insurance. A health insurance policy provides financial support during medical emergencies, with varying coverage for OPD and IPD depending on your plan. Below are typical coverages provided by most health insurance policies:

OPD Coverage	IPD Coverage
Consultations with general and specialist doctors	Treatment expenses and ambulance
E-consultations with general physicians	ICU charges, Room rent charges, Diagnostics
Health care services covering diagnostics, maternity, etc.	Anesthesia, blood, oxygen, surgeon’s fee, doctor’s fee, OT
Reimbursement of OPD-related expenses	Claim settlement on treatment cost

Buying Health Insurance with OPD and IPD Coverage

Health insurance with OPD and IPD coverage helps reduce out-of-pocket spending and ensures timely access to medical care. Moreover, it decreases the chances of delaying illness, and you feel financially secure in seeking medical attention. This reduces the risk of health complaints that arise from postponing treatment.

Additionally, health insurance premiums are tax-deductible under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act, which allows you to deduct the coverage amount from your taxable income. This gives you the opportunity to avail tax and other benefits when purchasing a health insurance policy.

Bottomline

Laziness depletes our motivation to take care of our health and makes us fall into the trap of doing nothing. Being proactive and taking preventive measures is crucial. At the same time, securing financial protection through health insurance is equally important. Unexpected OPD expenses may lead to financial strain due to high inflation. To protect yourself, Care Health Insurance provides coverage for OPD treatment under specific plans.

Win over procrastination and take good care of your health because ‘prevention is better than cure.’

Disclaimer: All plan features, benefits, coverage, and claims underwriting are subject to policy terms and conditions. Kindly refer to the brochure, sales prospectus, and policy documents carefully.