What are super supplemental health insurance plans and should you consider one?

As healthcare costs continue to rise, people are looking for ways to improve their health insurance without breaking the bank. Super-supplemental health insurance has proven to be a popular solution, offering consumers better protection against medical costs.

Here we explore what super top-up plans are, why they are becoming increasingly popular and whether you should consider adding one to your plan. health insurance portfolio.

What are super top-up plans?

Super supplementary health insurance policies provide additional coverage beyond the limits of your primary health insurance policy.

They kick in once you exceed a certain deductible and cover the costs of hospitalization and other medical treatments. This structure allows policyholders to protect themselves from high medical bills without the high premiums that typically come with comprehensive health insurance.

Why are super top-up plans gaining popularity?

Rising medical costs

Medical inflation is a major problem for many families. As the cost of treatments and hospital stays skyrockets, super top-up plans help ease the financial burden.

“Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the need for adequate healthcare coverage due to rising medical costs,” explains Subramanyam Brahmajosyula, Chief Product & Marketing Officer at SBI General Insurance.

Better coverage at lower premiums

Super top-up plans provide a cost-effective way to boost your health insurance.

They typically have lower premiums compared to standard policies because they only pay out once the deductible has been met.

This makes them an attractive option for people looking for comprehensive coverage without significant financial commitment.

“Super top-ups ensure an optimal balance between coverage and affordability,” emphasizes Brahmajosyula.

Financial protection against underinsurance

Super top-up plans serve as a safety net against underinsurance and ensure that you are not left vulnerable to high medical costs. Once your primary coverage limits are exhausted, the super top-up comes into effect to cover additional claims during the policy year.

This feature provides crucial financial protection, especially for those with multiple or recurring medical needs.

Disadvantages of super top-up plans

• One of the main disadvantages of super top-up plans is the requirement to meet a deductible before coverage is activated. If your medical expenses do not exceed this amount, you will not benefit from the super top-up cover. This means consumers need to be prepared for potentially high out-of-pocket costs before their policies provide relief.
• Super top-up plans can sometimes be complex, with specific terms and conditions that may not be immediately clear to policyholders.
• While super top-up plans improve coverage, they do not replace the need for robust basic health insurance. They are intended to supplement existing coverage, meaning individuals still need adequate basic insurance to avoid being underinsured.

Super top-up plans now available

Here is an overview of some popular supplemental health insurance plans available on the market:

Great top-up plan	Entry age	Employment	Own risk	Insured amount
Aditya Birla Activ Assure + Super Health Top-up	5-65 years	N/A	N/A	₹1 crore
Bajaj Allianz Extra Care Plus	91 days-80 years	1/2/3 years	N/A	₹10 liters and ₹25 litres
Care Improve Super Top-up Health Plan	18 years and older	N/A	Improve1: ₹ 1 l-₹ 10 l	Improve 1: ₹ 1 l-₹ 30 l
			Improve 2: ₹5 l-₹20 l	Improve 2: ₹35 l-₹50 l
Cholamandalam Super Upgrade Plan	3-70 years	2/3 years	₹50,000-₹1 crore	₹3 liters – ₹25 litres
Digit Super-Supplemental Health Plan	18-65 years	N/A	N/A	N/A
Future General Future Benefit Supplemental Plan	From day 1	1/2/3 years	₹50,000 – ₹40 litres	₹50,000 – ₹1 crore
HDFC ERGO my	91 days-65 years	1/2 year	₹2 liters – ₹5 litres	₹3 liters – ₹20 litres
Medisure Super Top-Up Plan
ICICI Lombard Health Booster Plan	3 months and older	1/2/3 years	₹1 liter – ₹5 litre	₹2 liters to ₹50 litres

(Source: Policy Bazaar)

Who should consider super top-up plans?

Super top-up plans are ideal for anyone looking to top up their existing health insurance.

“They are especially beneficial for those with a basic sum assured between ₹2 lakh and ₹15 lakh, especially in tier 1 and tier 2 cities where medical costs are higher. Whether you are self-employed or your employer provides basic health cover, super Top-ups can provide valuable additional protection,” says Brahmajosyula.

Should you get a super top-up plan?

If you are concerned about rising healthcare costs or inadequate primary health insurance coverage, investing in a super top-up plan can be a wise decision.

However, it is essential to consider your general health needs, existing cover and the specifics of the super top-up plan before making a commitment.