Health Insurance in Kolkota

• Enjoy options to cover yourself, your spouse, kids and even your parents
• Enjoy access to 10,000+ hospitals for cashless treatment
• Reduce your taxable income by up to Rs. 50,000 deduction under section 80D**

The increasing risk of contracting an illness or being diagnosed with a disease or critical illness has made it a must for every individual, who wishes to save his/her hard-earned money in the event of a medical emergency, to purchase a health insurance policy. A health insurance policy, in addition to covering your inpatient hospitalisation expenses for the given policy year, will also provide a cover for day care procedures, medical tests, ambulance fees, specialist/consultation charges, etc. In addition, if you have a health insurance policy, you can also avail cashless treatment at any hospital that is part of your insurer’s network.

Healthcare in Kolkata

Kolkata, the capital West Bengal, is hailed as the cultural capital of the country. The bustling metropolitan city in East India is home to numerous popular hospitals. As on 2010, the city had 48 government hospitals and 366 private medical hospitals and establishments. The city also has medical institutes that act as tertiary referral hospitals. A few popular hospitals in the city are Ohio Hospital, Apollo Gleneagles Hospital Ltd., Tata Medical Center, Westbank Hospital, Bellevue Hospital, Columbia Asia Hospital, Apex Hospital, etc.

Need for Health Insurance in Kolkata

With a population of 14.1 million, including city residents and those living in the suburbs, (as per the 2011 census), Kolkata is a growing industrial and commercial hub in India. The pace at which the city has grown has made its residents more susceptible to being diagnosed with critical illnesses, lifestyle diseases, and ailments such as obesity, diabetes, thyroid disorders, asthma, etc.

Thus, it is essential for individuals living in Kolkata to purchase a health insurance policy. A health insurance plan will allow policyholders to avail treatment at any hospital of their choice without worrying about the cost of the treatment.

Health Insurance Companies in Kolkata

Residents of Kolkata can purchase health insurance policies from any general/standalone health insurance firm. A few of the many insurance companies that have their presence in the city are listed below:

• SBI General Insurance: SBI General Insurance, which was formed as a partnership between State Bank of India (SBI) and Insurance Australia Group, was established in the year 2010. The insurer offers a host of health insurance plans at attractive premium rates. SBI General Insurance has several branch offices located in West Bengal, with one office in Kolkata. Some of the hospitals with which the insurer has tied-up are Sun Hospital Pvt. Ltd., City Hospital & Research Centre, Fortis Escorts Heart Centre, etc.

• Future Generali: A leading player in the Indian general insurance sector, Future Generali was established in a tie-up between the Future Group and the Generali Group. The insurance provider offers a number of health insurance plans and top-up health insurance covers. The insurer has one branch office in Kolkata and numerous network hospitals within the city. Certain hospitals that have tied-up with the insurance provider to provide cashless treatment to policyholders are Woodlands Hospital, Apollo Gleneagles Hospitals Ltd., Narayana Multispeciality Hospital, etc.

• Star Health and Allied Insurance Co. Ltd. Star Health Insurance offers a range of attractive health insurance solutions to prospective policy buyers. The insurer has 1 zonal office and 6 branches in the city of Kolkata. With regard to cashless hospitals in the city, the insurer has partnered with several leading medical establishments including Salt Lake City Medical Centre, Vasan Eye Care Hospital, Narayana Multispeciality Hospital, etc.

• The Oriental Insurance Company Ltd.: Oriental Insurance, a state-run general insurance firm, was incorporated in the year 1947. The insurer offers both health insurance plans and personal accident plans as part of its product suite. A few cashless hospitals with which Oriental Insurance has partnered with are B. M. Birla Heart Research Centre, Charring Cross Nursing Home Pvt. Ltd., Genesis Hospital, etc. The insurer also has a number of branch offices located in the city.

• National Insurance Company Ltd. (NIC): National Insurance Company, the country’s oldest non-life insurance firm, was incorporated in the year 1906 in Kolkata. Along with the head office, there are also several regional offices of NIC located in Kolkata. A few network hospitals with which National Insurance has partnered are Apex Institute of Medical Sciences, Daffodil Nursing Home, Fortis Medical Centre, etc.

• Liberty India General Insurance: Established in the year 2013, Liberty India General Insurance has quickly become one of the most popular insurance providers in India. The insurer has one branch office located in Kolkata. A few hospitals that are part of Liberty General Insurance’s network are Calcutta Medical Research Institute, Charnock Hospitals Pvt. Ltd., Fortis Medical Centre, etc.

Besides the insurance companies mentioned above, several other leading general insurance providers also offer their health insurance products to individuals living in Kolkata. Thus, make sure to do your research, compare various policies, and purchase a policy with sufficient coverage at the earliest.