In the UAE, having health insurance is important to help you during medical emergencies. Hospital cash insurance is vital to health coverage in the UAE, providing financial support during hospital stays. It offers a daily cash benefit for every day you spend in the hospital, helping cover expenses not included in standard health insurance. This insurance can alleviate financial stress, allowing individuals to focus on recovery. This article will explore the details of hospital cash insurance, its benefits, and how it functions within the UAE healthcare system. Understanding this coverage can help you make informed decisions about your health insurance options.
Understanding hospital cash insurance:
The hospital cash benefit is a daily lump sum the insured can receive during hospitalisation. It may be included in the base plan or purchased as a rider.
Typically, this benefit applies only if the insured is hospitalised for at least 48 hours. It is provided for every 24 hours spent in the hospital, covering 30 to 45 days within a policy year.
This cash can be utilised to cover additional expenses during hospitalisation, such as transportation and hiring a caregiver, or to offset lost income during this period.
Key features of hospital cash insurance:
The features of a hospital cash benefit can vary from policy to policy. Typically, it includes:
- Depending on the plan or insurer, a daily lump sum amount is disbursed to cover additional hospitalisation expenses, paid for up to 30 to 45 days.
- The amount doubles in the case of ICU admissions and is provided for up to 7 days, as specified in the policy.
- The benefit is applicable only if the insured is hospitalised for a minimum of 48 hours.
What is covered under hospital cash insurance?
The hospital cash insurance is typically used to cover additional costs incurred during hospitalisation for up to 30 to 45 days, depending on the plan and insurance provider. If you are hospitalised in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), the cash benefit is often doubled for up to 7 days.
Generally, a health insurance plan will cover expenses such as:
- Inpatient hospitalisation
- Pre- and post-hospitalization care
- Daycare procedures
- Ambulance service costs
The hospital cash benefit can be used to address hospitalisation expenses that exceed what is covered by your health insurance plan.
Why do you need hospital cash insurance?
In the UAE, healthcare can be expensive, especially when you need to go to the hospital. While basic health insurance pays for many medical costs, it might not cover all the extra expenses. Here’s why hospital cash insurance can help:
- Extra income: The cash benefit can help replace lost income if you can’t work while in the hospital.
- Less stress: Knowing you have extra money can make your recovery easier and less stressful.
- Covers other costs: You can use the cash for family meals, transport, and other daily expenses.
How does hospital cash insurance work?
- Buy a policy: Choose a hospital cash insurance policy from a trustworthy insurer in the UAE. Compare the features, benefits, and costs.
- Know your coverage: Read the policy details to understand how much you’ll get each day, any waiting periods, and how long the coverage lasts.
- Hospitalisation: If you go to the hospital, let your insurance provider know if your policy requires it.
- Claim process: After you leave the hospital, file a claim with your insurer. Most policies let you claim without showing medical bills.
- Receive benefits: Once your claim is approved, the cash benefit will be sent to your bank account directly.
For a more clear understanding, let’s look at a real-life example of a cash insurance benefit in the UAE:
Example:
Sarah is a 35-year-old woman living in Dubai. She has a health insurance policy that covers her hospital bills but doesn’t cover extra costs like transportation and meals for her family while she’s in the hospital. Unfortunately, Sarah needs to stay in the hospital for three days due to a health issue.
Sarah also has a hospital cash insurance policy. This policy pays her a daily cash benefit of AED 500 for each day she’s hospitalised, starting from the second day of her stay. Here’s how it works:
- Day 1: Zainab is admitted to the hospital. She has yet to receive cash benefit because the policy pays only after 24 hours.
- Day 2: Zainab is still in the hospital. She qualifies for the cash benefit and receives AED 500.
- Day 3: She continues her stay, receiving another AED 500.
- Day 4: Zainab is discharged after three nights. She receives a total of AED 1,000 (AED 500 for Day 2 and AED 500 for Day 3).
This cash can help Sarah pay for extra costs like meals for her family and transportation. Even though her health insurance covers her medical bills, the hospital cash insurance gives her peace of mind and helps manage additional expenses during her recovery.
What’s the final takeaway?
Hospital cash insurance is a helpful financial tool that can reduce the stress of medical costs while you’re in the hospital. It gives you cash benefits, so you can concentrate on getting better without worrying about money. If you’re thinking about buying a policy or improving your current coverage, knowing how hospital cash insurance works is important for making smart choices about your health and finances in the UAE.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Q. What is hospital cash in an insurance policy?
Hospital cash insurance is a policy that gives you a fixed amount of money for each day you are hospitalised for more than 24 hours. This daily allowance helps the policyholder cover various expenses during their hospital stay.
Q. Can I buy hospital cash insurance online?
Yes, many UAE insurers let you apply for hospital cash insurance online. Just be sure to select a reliable insurance provider.
Q. What if I already have health insurance?
Hospital cash insurance can enhance your existing health insurance by covering costs that your regular policy might not include.
Q. How do I choose the right policy?
When picking a policy, consider the daily cash benefit, coverage length, waiting periods, and your specific needs.
