Apollo Munich Health Insurance launches critical illness rider

NEW DELHI: Apollo Munich Health Insurance has launched a critical illness rider, named Critical Advantage, that not only covers the cost of the treatment abroad for 8 illnesses but also covers the cost of travel and accommodation of one family member, in addition to that of the insured, on cashless basis.

Buyers of the Easy Health and Optima Restore policy with a sum insured of Rs 10 lakh or more can purchase the Critical Advantage rider in order to cover specific ailment costs that they may incur while getting treated at medical facilities outside India.

According to a press release, the Critical Advantage rider covers illnesses such as neurosurgery, cancer, coronary artery bypass surgery, heart valve replacement/ repair, live donor organ transplant, pulmonary artery graft surgery, aorta graft surgery and bone marrow transplant. The rider is offered on an individual basis and has two variants. The premium for the $250,000 (about Rs 1.5 crore) sum insured policy for a 35-year-old is Rs 7,767, while it is Rs 8.947 for a $500,000 (Rs 3-crore approx.) sum insured policy.

Speaking about the launch of the Critical Advantage rider, Antony Jacob, CEO, Apollo Munich Health Insurance, said, "When it comes to healthcare, we all seek the best treatment available to treat a loved one. There are some instances when Indians choose to travel abroad for medical treatment and the costs associated with medical care, as well as travel and accommodation for the accompanying family members, are a big concern. The Critical Advantage rider is a very friendly cashless cover, without any co-pay clause or sub-limits, to opt for planned treatment abroad."

Under the Critical Advantage rider, Apollo Munich executives will provide policyholders assistance in determining treatment, travel and accommodation of the insured. The plan also covers the cost of a second opinion service for the illness.