I am 69. I had an open-heart surgery in July 2000. I have an Oriental Insurance Co. health insurance family floater for self and wife for Rs 10 Lakh. They did not increase the amount to 15 Lalh. I am looking for only self or family floater health insurance for 10 Lakh or top up of Rs 10 lakh. Please advise if possible and to contact which Co.

Ans: Unfortunately, finding a new health insurance policy with pre-existing conditions like open-heart surgery can be challenging, especially at the age of 69. Here's why:

• Pre-existing Conditions: Most insurers are hesitant to cover pre-existing conditions, and open-heart surgery falls under that category.
• Age: As you age, premiums tend to rise, and insurers might be more cautious about taking on new senior citizens.

However, there are still some options to explore:

1. Renew Existing Policy with Oriental:

Check with Oriental Insurance Co. again regarding renewal. While they might not increase the sum insured to 15 lakh, they might still offer renewal on the existing 10 lakh plan.

2. Senior Citizen Mediclaim Plans:

Many insurers offer senior citizen health insurance plans designed for people above 60. These plans may have limitations on pre-existing conditions, but they could offer some coverage. You can explore options from reputable companies like Max Bupa, Care Health Insurance, or Cholamandalam MS. Research these companies online or consult an insurance broker for plan details.

3. Top-up Plans:
These plans work alongside your existing policy and provide additional coverage in case your existing sum insured gets exhausted. However, pre-existing condition exclusions might still apply. Explore top-up plans offered by your existing insurer or other companies.

4. Finding the Right Plan:

• Use online insurance comparison platforms or consult an insurance broker to compare different senior citizen mediclaim or top-up plans.
• Carefully review the policy documents, especially exclusions related to pre-existing conditions.
• Consider factors like network hospitals, co-pay clauses, and claim settlement ratio before finalising a plan.