Health insurance provides financial security and peace of mind- until the real hospital bill arrives. Along with medicines, room rent, and surgery expenses, there is always an extra list of items like sanitisers, gloves, PPE kits, and so on. These small items, called “consumables", are often not covered in your insurance; however, they might raise your final bills by several thousand. We all saw it during COVID-19, when PPE kits alone were costing thousands a day. This is why consumables coverage matters. It ensures that minor issues don't escalate into major sources of stress at the billing counter.
What are Consumables?
Consumables are the medical tools and equipment used for a patient's treatment that are discarded after use. This means they aren't reused and are thus charged separately. These costs may add up significantly, especially in cases involving complex medical treatments or prolonged hospital stays.
Some common consumables include gloves, PPE kits, syringes, masks, sanitisers, surgical blades, tapes, bandages, etc. These may seem small, but they make the treatment procedure possible.
Takeaway: Even short hospital stays can add ₹5,000 to ₹10,000 to your total bill, primarily due to the cost of consumables. Make sure you ask for a “consumables breakup” in your hospital bill to have a fair understanding of its importance.
Are Consumables Covered in Health Policies?
The simple answer is no. Although these consumables are crucial for treatment, they are typically not covered by health insurance in India. Now you may wonder why. There are several reasons behind this.
1. First, their use-and-throw nature makes them suitable for single-use only.
2. Second, the price and usage of these items differ from one hospital to another.
3. Furthermore, insurers see these as “minor expenses,” while focusing on major costs such as hospitalisation bills and consultation charges.
However, here is the catch: these minor expenses can add up to a significant amount, increasing your medical bills. In fact, around 8-10% of the total hospital expenses can be attributed to these consumables.
However, does that mean you continue to bear the cost of these excluded consumables? Well, technically, you don't have to. With a suitable consumables coverage in health insurance, you can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket medical expenses. These are generally available as policy add-ons, ensuring you receive the quality care you need, without the stress of unexpected expenses.
Why Can't You Compromise With Consumables Coverage Anymore?
There was a time when consumables were seen as the “extra items”. However, that is no longer the truth. Hospitalisation bills are increasing, and so is the share of consumables in the treatment.
1. For instance, the hospitalisation costs have increased by 35 to 40% in private healthcare centres because of higher consumption of consumables like PPE, syringes, etc.
2. Before COVID-19, the share of consumables in hospital expenses was generally around 3 to 5%. However, this has now increased to 25-30%. As a result, several families end up taking loans from friends or family to cover hospital bills.
What does this mean for you?
Rise in hospitalisation costs + high use of consumables = bigger out-of-pocket expenses
Consider adding consumables coverage in insurance to fill the gaps. It ensures all-round financial support that may range between ₹10,000 to ₹50,000.
How do Consumables Cover Work in Health Insurance in India?
Consumables cover in health insurance in India are typically offered as riders or add-ons to your basic health policy. By adding these to your basic medical insurance policies, the premiums may rise slightly, but so do the benefits. You ensure that even “minor expenses” or non-payable items in your bills are adequately reimbursed, reducing your out-of-pocket expenses.
Here is how they work in India.
1. As per the Insurance Regulatory Development Authority of India (IRDAI), consumables are of four types: surgical items, administrative charges, housekeeping items, and room expenses.
2. These aren't automatically included in your basic plans; instead, they can be added as riders to make your treatment cashless. You may consult the Generali Central customer support team to better understand your rider benefits, say, if these add-ons are applicable per claim or per policy year.
Generali Central offers the benefit of cashless hospitalisation at some of the leading hospitals in the country. Without the worry of out-of-pocket expenses, you can concentrate on getting better.
Click here to read more about cashless health insurance.
Benefits of Consumables Coverage in Health Insurance
If you've read this far, you already know the several advantages of consumables coverage. Here are some compelling benefits of adding these to your medical insurance plans.
1. These reduce your out-of-pocket expenses. For example, you may save up to ₹10,000 to ₹50,000 per hospitalisation.
2. With consumables coverage, your treatment is actually cashless. You need not worry about arguments on “non-payable”.
3. The cover is particularly helpful during emergencies or long hospital stays, such as surgeries and other medical procedures.
If you already have a health insurance plan with a high sum insured, consider adding a consumables rider to make it more comprehensive.
Things to Keep In Mind
Here is what you need to know before buying a consumables cover in India.
1. Ensure that your insurer offers coverage for consumables. Consult your insurer regarding the same.
2. Your premiums might rise a little; however, with smaller margins. For instance, the increase in premiums is typically between 5% to 7%. But the benefits? They increase significantly.
3. Keep an eye on the exclusions and sub-limits. Even after the additions, some insurers have restrictions on coverage; make sure you cross-check the policy’s fine print. Do not assume that all consumables are automatically covered with this rider. Consult your insurer and ask for a detailed list of covered consumables.
Read the list of non-medical expenses covered with Generali Central health insurance.
Consumables Coverage in Health Insurance: Who Is It for?
Adding consumables to your health insurance is beneficial for everyone. However, it can be extra valuable for:
Families with Senior Citizens
If you're buying health insurance for senior citizens, do not forget to add the consumables cover, as older citizens are more likely to get ill, need surgeries, and require hospital admissions.
Parents with Young Children
If you have little ones in your family, adding consumables coverage in your base plan can be quite helpful. Since a toddler's hospitalisation generally involves plenty of disposables.
For Maximum Convenience
If you truly want to have a cashless medical insurance with no stress over non-payable items, consider adding these riders.
Final Word
Consumables may seem like tiny items, but they conceal significant costs. It isn't simply about money, but also about reducing the last-minute stress and financial demands during an emotional or medical emergency.
Adding consumables coverage in health insurance makes it more complete. However, you can also have alternative ideas to reduce the last-minute panic. For instance, consider establishing a medical buffer fund that can cover essential supplies in times of need. You may also look for suitable top-ups.
