Why do Teenagers Need Health Insurance?

It might come as a surprise to many that a significant proportion of children in India face health issues. A recent survey was conducted by a health consultancy on around 1,76,240 children between the ages of 2 and 17 at over 40 schools and 300 pre-primary centres in 20 Indian cities from various socioeconomic backgrounds1. The report's findings showed that approximately 25.5% of children had impaired vision, 30.4% of all students screened were experiencing abnormal BMIs, more than 50% of kids screened had dental problems, and nearly 27% of students had cavities.

The study also reveals a notable increase in the percentage of obese and overweight kids as they go from pre-primary to primary grades, i.e., from 16% to 23%, and as they advance to higher secondary, it goes from 16% to 26%. Needless to mention, considering all of these on top of mental pressure and health in children, the costs incurred in medical expenses can soar high in case of any unfortunate events. Nonetheless, this is why we have health insurance for teens to help them through any medical emergencies. Let's get to the details.

Is Medical Insurance Required in Teenagers?

The screening results make it quite evident investing efforts into improving preventive healthcare for teenagers is essential.

It is not the physical aspect of a child that needs to be covered, their mental well-being is equally important. Bullying in schools and colleges has a crippling effect on teenagers and is still underrated. Other factors like education disruptions, staying indoors, feeling a sense of fear, learning any concerning information about the illness, and above all, not being able to express grief make matters worse for teenagers throughout. All of this has a profound negative impact on the child's mental health.

According to the WHO World Health Organisation, adolescents with mental health disorders are especially susceptible to physical illness, human rights abuses, social isolation, discrimination, stigma (which can impair their willingness to seek help and care), educational challenges, and risk-taking behaviours. This confirms that teenagers are at a need for mental health and physical health attention just like adults and equally need insurance.

Why Do Teenagers Need Health Insurance?

Getting medical insurance for teens is quite crucial. If you are wondering why, here are 5 major reasons.

1. To Handle the Unexpected

Nobody anticipates becoming ill or injured. The best insurance for teens protects teenagers and their savings from unforeseen expenses, much like other insurances do. If you're a teen, an accident, critical illness, or an injury could change your life drastically (physically and financially). Having medical insurance for teenager will help you combat the financial situation smarty.

2. Medical Bills are Higher than the Premium 

You may consider health insurance for teens as an additional expense, considering the premiums. However, if you don't have health insurance coverage, these medical costs can add up to a hefty bill as well. Visits to the ER, doctor, testing, and/or medical treatments (no matter how big or small) may add up quickly and drain your savings when you least expect it. Besides, the premium rates for children are lower, and the coverage is higher.

3. Keeping Healthy

Teenagers can be benefitted with annual health check-ups by keeping medical insurance for teens in place.  It cannot be overstated how crucial routine preventive care is especially for children. Screenings and check-ups can identify health issues even before you are aware of them, which could prevent a costly, serious illness, along with significant costs in the future.

4. Unhealthy Lifestyle Choices

Teenagers have an unhealthy lifestyle choice. Choosing junk food over home-cooked meals, irregular sleeping patterns, and increasing screen time, not engaging in physical activities all affect mental health as well as physical health. However, having the best health insurance for teenager will help you cover the unexpected medical expenses arising out of a medical emergency.

5. Rising Healthcare Costs

The expense of medical care is increasing daily due to a high rate of inflation. In addition, there has been a consistent rise in several diseases ever since the pandemic. Teenagers might often require emergency medical assistance, just as adults, considering their lifestyle, habits, environment, and pre-existing medical conditions. Having the best health insurance for teens will help you get the best healthcare services, as well as avoid the financial burden of hospitalisation.

Tips to Choose the Best Health Insurance for Teenagers

Selecting medical insurance for teenager means that you are guaranteeing your child has the best possible coverage that avoids any possible hassles during a claim. Here's how you can choose the best health insurance for your teenager.

Prior to purchasing the policy, be aware of exclusions. Verify that the coverage you're purchasing will pay for all of the medical services you want/ may require.

Verify that the policy offers a sufficient sum insured to cover any potential medical expenses you may have for your child. If not, you might have to cover the costs from your pocket.

Ensure reviewing all of the policy's terms and conditions thoroughly before completing your policy purchase. This will help you avoid confusion and misunderstandings later. 

There are a lot of teenage insurance offers available under health insurance policies. Make sure you give it a thorough read to get your hands on the best one.

>> Also Read: Why Should You Buy Health Insurance for Children?

Health Insurance Options for Teenagers with Care Health Insurance

Even though there are plenty of insurance options readily available for teenagers, you should maintain some caution while selecting your provider. Care Health Insurance offers comprehensive insurance options for all age groups, covering physical illnesses and mental health issues. There are several plans to select the one that best meets your requirements. Check out the three offers that Care Health Insurance provides:

1. Individual Health Insurance for Teenagers

As the name suggests, this policy covers a single individual. It offers personal coverage for medical costs, such as hospital stays, doctor visits, and therapies/treatments. The insured will not be able to share the sum insured with other family members as it is personal. If budget is not a concern or if genetic disorders run in your family, you should opt for an individual health plan for your teenager.

2. Family Floater Health Insurance for Teenagers

A family floater option is the most popular kind of health insurance designed for families. These plans offer a single insurance that covers the whole family, including parents and dependent children (including teenagers). Because the entire insured amount is shared, it is a comprehensive solution that guarantees everyone's healthcare needs are met and satisfied.

3. Critical Illness Plans for Teenagers

Critical illness insurance is a type of medical coverage that, depending on the specifics of the selected policy, pays benefits to insured members who are hospitalised for critical diseases such as coma, catastrophic burns, or cancer. While receiving treatment for a condition deemed critical, the funds can be used to cover other financial obligations in addition to the medical bills.

Let’s Wrap It Up

Summing up, one of the best investments you can make for your child's future is a teenage health insurance plan. Not only does it keep you financially stable during unforeseen events, but saves your hard-earned money from draining hospital bills. And most importantly one can also save on premiums for buying at a young age.

Disclaimers: 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.