Manipal Cigna Sarvah Param Health Insurance has introduced a groundbreaking ‘Tatkal Benefit’ that provides immediate Day 1 coverage for pre-existing diseases, breaking the norm of traditional health insurance waiting periods. While most health insurance plans require a minimum 30-day waiting period and extended exclusions for chronic ailments like diabetes, asthma, and high blood pressure, this plan eliminates all standard waiting times, including for hospitalisation, specific treatments, and pre-existing conditions, offering instant protection from the moment the policy is issued. According to Ashish Yadav, Head of Products and Business Operations at Manipal Cigna Health Insurance, the zero waiting period applies even for disclosed pre-existing conditions, provided the application meets underwriting guidelines, making it especially beneficial for people with chronic health issues who cannot afford to wait for coverage. The plan comes at a slightly higher premium, similar to the higher cost of Tatkal train tickets, as it delivers significantly more benefits from the first day.
In addition to instant coverage, the policy offers several unique features, including ‘No Zonal Co-pay’, allowing customers to receive treatment in any city without additional costs, ‘Surplus Benefit’ that doubles the sum insured for the first claim each year, and a guaranteed cumulative bonus called ‘Gullak’ that increases the sum insured by 100% annually, up to a maximum of 1000%, regardless of previous claims. This means a ₹5 lakh cover can grow to ₹10 lakh in the second year and up to ₹50 lakh over time. The plan also offers multiple restorations of the sum insured for all illnesses, flexible sum insured options ranging from ₹1 lakh to ₹3 crore, and extensive in-patient hospitalisation, modern treatment, HIV/AIDS, mental illness, room accommodation, ICU, day care procedures, pre-hospitalisation (90 days), post-hospitalisation (180 days), domiciliary hospitalisation, and organ donor expenses coverage. It even includes AYUSH treatments and an optional Temporary Total Disablement cover for earning members, offering fixed weekly payouts for up to 100 weeks in case of accident-related disability.
Eligibility criteria include adults aged 18 years and above with no maximum limit, and dependent children from 91 days up to 30 years on a floater basis. The policy is available for individual, multi-individual, and family floater formats with tenures of 1, 2, or 3 years, along with discounts of up to 20% on renewal premiums and 2.5% for early renewals. Standard exclusions apply, such as cosmetic treatments, non-medical expenses, self-inflicted injuries, overseas treatments, and unapproved procedures. With its Day 1 ‘Tatkal Benefit’, comprehensive protection, and high-value bonuses, Manipal Cigna Sarvah Param Health Insurance is positioned as a premium yet highly advantageous option for those seeking immediate and extensive health coverage without the long wait times typical of standard health insurance policies