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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7379 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jun 18, 2024

Ramalingam Kalirajan has over 23 years of experience in mutual funds and financial planning.
He has an MBA in finance from the University of Madras and is a certified financial planner.
He is the director and chief financial planner at Holistic Investment, a Chennai-based firm that offers financial planning and wealth management advice.... more
Ajay Question by Ajay on Jun 09, 2024Hindi
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Hi guru, My wife is pregnant now, expected delivery is on aug and the amount of delivery is around 2 lacks in Hyderabad. We both are corporate employees and holding corporate insurances, mine can be claimed upto 50k and my wife insurance can be claimed upto 70k As i came to know that we both cannot be submitted for cashless claim, Questions: Can we pay the total amount by cash and claim individual insurances by submitting the hospital bills? Can we go a head with my wife cashless claim for 70k and remaining bills can be submitted in my company insurance? Whats the best procedure to claim the both our corporate insurance benefits? Please suggest. Note: recently my friend submitted their both corporate maternity bills and has been claimed.

Ans: Congratulations on the upcoming addition to your family! It’s great that you and your wife have corporate insurance to help cover the delivery costs. Let’s explore the best way to utilize both insurances effectively.

Understanding Corporate Insurance Claims
Corporate health insurance policies typically have specific rules and procedures for claims. It’s crucial to understand these to maximize your benefits. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the claims process:

Cashless Claim Option
Cashless claims are convenient as they reduce the immediate financial burden. However, there might be restrictions when using multiple policies for a single claim.

Reimbursement Option
Reimbursement claims require you to pay the hospital bills upfront and later submit the bills for reimbursement from your insurers.

Strategy for Maximizing Insurance Benefits
Option 1: Using Cashless and Reimbursement Together
Cashless Claim with Your Wife's Insurance:

Since your wife’s insurance covers up to Rs 70,000, you can opt for a cashless claim for this amount.
Inform the hospital in advance about the cashless claim using your wife’s insurance.
Reimbursement Claim with Your Insurance:

For the remaining amount, you can pay out of pocket and later submit the bills to your insurance for reimbursement.
Ensure you get detailed and itemized bills from the hospital to avoid any issues during the reimbursement claim.
Option 2: Full Payment and Dual Reimbursement Claims
Pay the Total Amount by Cash:

Pay the entire hospital bill upfront by cash or card.
Submit Bills for Reimbursement to Both Insurers:

First, submit the bills to your wife’s insurance to claim the maximum allowed amount (Rs 70,000).
Once the claim is processed, submit the remaining bills to your insurance to claim up to Rs 50,000.
Clearly indicate to your insurance that your wife’s policy has already covered part of the expenses.
Recommended Procedure
Step-by-Step Process
Contact Both Insurers:

Reach out to both your insurance providers to understand their specific claim processes and requirements.
Confirm if they accept combined claims and get clarity on the documentation needed.
Pre-Authorization for Cashless Claim:

For a cashless claim using your wife’s insurance, obtain pre-authorization from the insurer. This typically involves submitting a pre-authorization form to the hospital, which then coordinates with the insurer.
Documentation:

Collect all necessary documents, including the hospital bill, discharge summary, and any other medical reports.
Ensure the bills are itemized and clearly mention the amount paid.
Submitting Reimbursement Claims:

After your wife’s insurance processes the cashless claim, submit the remaining bills to your insurance for reimbursement.
Include a cover letter explaining that the initial claim was processed by another insurer and attach a copy of the claim settlement.
Additional Tips
Keep Track of Communication
Maintain a record of all communications with your insurers and the hospital. This includes emails, phone calls, and any written correspondence.
Follow Up
Regularly follow up with both insurers to ensure your claims are being processed. Prompt follow-ups can help avoid delays.
Seek Clarification
If any part of the claim process is unclear, don’t hesitate to seek clarification from your insurers. It’s better to address any doubts upfront to avoid complications later.
Conclusion
Using both corporate insurances effectively can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket expenses for the delivery. By opting for a combination of cashless and reimbursement claims or full payment followed by dual reimbursement claims, you can maximize your insurance benefits. Ensure you communicate clearly with your insurers, follow their procedures, and keep detailed records to facilitate smooth claim processing.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in
DISCLAIMER: The content of this post by the expert is the personal view of the rediffGURU. Users are advised to pursue the information provided by the rediffGURU only as a source of information to be as a point of reference and to rely on their own judgement when making a decision.
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Sanjib

Sanjib Jha  | Answer  |Ask -

Insurance Expert - Answered on Jun 21, 2022

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Dear Sir, Greetings of the day. I have got a health insurance of family floater type from Tata AIG for a sum of four lakhs. Recently, I got hospitalised and full four lakhs was paid by Tata Aig. But my hospital bill was six lakhs and sixty two thousand. So there was a shortfall of two lakhs sixty-two thousands. I have an Aditya Birla health Policy of family floater type for 45 lakhs. But it will come in to effect after 5 lakhs expenditure. So I myself paid one lakh from my pocket. And for rest one lakh sixty two thousand only I applied for cashless to Aditya Birla .But they denied it. Finally I paid that amount myself and came home. Afterwards I kept continuous follow up with them. Reconsideration and reminder letter was sent by TPA and Treating doctor. But again it was rejected. Now Aditya Birla employee is saying apply for reimbursement. When Tata Aig is clearing full amount, how come Aditya Birla is denying it? And how can I bridge the gap one lakh between two policies? Tata Aig says you have taken full claim so we cannot make your limit from four to five lakhs this year. Pls advise suitably. Best Wishes
Ans: Hi Mr. Tripathi, greetings to you. To answer your first question as to why Aditya Birla won’t provide you with cashless claim as opposed to TATA AIG is because the policy you bought from Aditya Birla is a ‘Super top up plan’ which basically means it is an addition to your base policy which in your case is your TATA AIG policy.

Super top up policies do not offer cashless claims but only provide reimbursements.

The one lakh gap, unfortunately, cannot be filled at this point. However, while renewing your policy you can opt for increased sum insured with TATA AIG. The insurer will ask you a set of questions and schedule medicals to analyse your risk profile. Post that based on your reports, the insurer will take a decision on increasing the limit.   

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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7379 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Apr 16, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Apr 04, 2024Hindi
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Hi I want a health insurance for my family but unable to decide which one to choose. What are things need to know before taking Health insurance. I want total cashless insurance. I have heard some insurance company do not cover all in claim. How to know about that. Thankyou in advance
Ans: key things to consider before choosing a family health insurance plan with cashless coverage:

Family Coverage:

Member inclusions: Ensure the plan covers all your immediate family members (spouse, dependent children, and potentially parents depending on the plan).
Sum Insured: Choose a sufficient sum insured per person considering potential medical inflation and future healthcare costs. Opt for a joint sum insured or individual sum insured per family member based on your needs.
Cashless Network Hospitals:

Network breadth: Research the insurance company's network hospitals in your area. Accessibility and quality of hospitals within the network are crucial factors.
Cashless claim settlement ratio: Check the company's cashless claim settlement ratio, indicating the percentage of cashless claims approved. A higher ratio indicates smoother claim processing.
Policy Coverage:

Hospitalization expenses: Ensure the plan covers hospitalization bills, including room rent, surgeon fees, medications, and other related costs.
Pre-existing conditions: Look for a plan that covers pre-existing conditions if any family member has one. However, there might be waiting periods for coverage.
Daycare expenses: Some plans offer coverage for daycare expenses incurred during hospitalization.
Co-pay/Deductible: Some plans involve co-pays (fixed amount paid for specific services) or deductibles (amount you pay before insurance kicks in). Understand these clauses and choose a plan with terms that suit you.
Claim Settlement Process:

Claim settlement turnaround time: Research the average time the insurance company takes to settle claims.
Claim intimation process: Understand the claim intimation procedure and required documentation to ensure a smooth process.
Company Reputation:

Financial stability: Choose a health insurance company with a strong financial track record for claim settlements.
Customer service: Look for a company known for good customer service, especially regarding claim processing assistance.
Ways to Research Plans & Claim Coverage:

Company Websites: Most insurance companies have detailed information about their health insurance plans on their websites.
Insurance Comparison Websites: Websites like Policybazaar (https://www.policybazaar.com/), CompareRaja (https://health-plan-compare.com/), or Fincare (https://www.insurancedekho.com/health-insurance/news/religare-health-insurance-partners-with-fincare-small-finance-bank-7) allow plan comparisons and provide valuable insights.
Insurance Agents: A licensed insurance agent can help you compare plans, understand exclusions, and choose the one that best suits your family's needs.
Understanding Exclusions:

Most health insurance plans have exclusions, which are medical expenses the plan doesn't cover. Here's how to learn about them:

Policy Wording: Read the policy wording carefully, focusing on the exclusions section. This will clearly outline what isn't covered by the plan.
Speak to the Insurance Provider: Contact the insurance company directly and ask about any exclusions related to specific procedures or pre-existing conditions.
Choosing the Right Plan:

Don't just focus on premiums: While cost is important, prioritize comprehensive coverage over just the lowest premium.
Get quotes from multiple companies: Compare quotes from different providers to find a plan that offers the best value for your needs.
Ask questions: Don't hesitate to ask questions and clarify any doubts you have about the plan details or claim settlement process.
By considering these factors and thoroughly researching your options, you can choose a family health insurance plan with cashless coverage that provides peace of mind and financial protection for your loved ones.

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7379 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jun 25, 2024

Money
Hi guru, My wife is pregnant now, expected delivery is on aug and the amount of delivery is around 2 lacks in Hyderabad. We both are corporate employees and holding corporate insurances, mine can be claimed upto 50k and my wife insurance can be claimed upto 70k As i came to know that we both cannot be submitted for cashless claim, Questions: Can we pay the total amount by cash and claim individual insurances by submitting the hospital bills? Can we go a head with my wife cashless claim for 70k and remaining bills can be submitted in my company insurance? Whats the best procedure to claim the both our corporate insurance benefits? Please suggest. Note: recently my friend submitted their both corporate maternity bills and has been claimed.
Ans: First of all, congratulations on the exciting news! It's wonderful to hear about your growing family. Navigating insurance claims for maternity expenses can be tricky, but I’m here to help simplify it for you. Let’s look at the best ways to maximize your corporate insurance benefits for the upcoming delivery costs.

Understanding Corporate Insurance Coverage
Cashless Claims and Reimbursement
Corporate health insurance typically offers two main methods of claim settlement: cashless and reimbursement. Cashless claims allow direct billing to the insurance provider, whereas reimbursement requires you to pay upfront and later get reimbursed by submitting bills.

Your Specific Insurance Coverage
You mentioned that your insurance covers up to Rs. 50,000 and your wife’s insurance covers up to Rs. 70,000. This is a good start, but since the total estimated cost is around Rs. 2 lakh, careful planning is needed to utilize both insurance benefits effectively.

Claiming Through Cashless Facility
Using Your Wife’s Cashless Claim
One option is to use the cashless claim facility of your wife's insurance for Rs. 70,000. This simplifies the process as you won’t need to arrange this amount upfront.

Remaining Amount for Reimbursement
For the remaining Rs. 1.3 lakh, you can submit the bills for reimbursement under your insurance and your wife's insurance. Let's explore this in more detail.

Step-by-Step Claim Process
Step 1: Contact Both Insurance Providers
Before the delivery, contact both of your insurance providers to confirm the procedures for cashless claims and reimbursements. Confirm that you can indeed use the cashless claim for Rs. 70,000 under your wife’s policy and the reimbursement process for the remaining amount under both policies.

Step 2: Cashless Claim Submission
Pre-authorization: Ensure you get pre-authorization for the cashless claim under your wife’s policy. This usually involves submitting a form provided by the insurance company along with a doctor’s recommendation and estimated hospital bill.

During Admission: At the hospital, submit the pre-authorization approval and your wife's insurance card to avail of the cashless facility up to Rs. 70,000.

Step 3: Payment for Remaining Amount
After utilizing Rs. 70,000 through the cashless facility, you will need to pay the remaining Rs. 1.3 lakh out of pocket at the hospital.

Step 4: Collect Detailed Bills and Discharge Summary
Make sure you collect all the original bills, payment receipts, and a detailed discharge summary from the hospital. These documents are crucial for the reimbursement process.

Step 5: Reimbursement Claim Submission
Your Insurance: Submit the original bills and discharge summary to your insurance provider to claim Rs. 50,000.

Wife’s Insurance: Submit the remaining bills (after Rs. 70,000 cashless claim) to your wife’s insurance provider for reimbursement up to Rs. 70,000. Since her total coverage is Rs. 70,000, and if you've already used that for cashless, this step may not be necessary unless the insurance allows combining both cashless and reimbursement within the limit.

Step 6: Follow Up
Regularly follow up with both insurance providers to ensure that your claims are processed promptly. Keep copies of all submitted documents for your records.

Maximizing Insurance Benefits
Coordinate With HR Departments
Sometimes, corporate insurance policies have specific guidelines. Coordinate with your respective HR departments to understand any nuances or additional benefits that might be available.

Seek Clarification on Policy Terms
Ensure you clearly understand the terms of both policies, especially concerning maternity coverage, as there might be specific clauses or additional benefits not immediately apparent.

Use of Top-Up Plans
If available, consider any top-up plans or additional maternity benefits that might cover the extra amount. Some corporate policies offer add-ons that can be particularly useful in situations like this.

Real-Life Example
Your friend managed to claim from both corporate maternity benefits. This is encouraging and suggests that with proper documentation and adherence to procedures, it is possible. Ask your friend for specific details about the process they followed, as it can provide valuable insights.

Final Insights
Handling maternity expenses with corporate insurance requires strategic planning. By using the cashless facility for your wife’s insurance and submitting reimbursement claims for both policies, you can maximize your coverage.

Ensure to get all pre-approvals, maintain detailed records, and stay in regular contact with both insurance providers. This proactive approach will help you navigate the process smoothly and ease the financial burden during this joyous time.

Best regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP

Chief Financial Planner

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

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Milind

Milind Vadjikar  |817 Answers  |Ask -

Insurance, Stocks, MF, PF Expert - Answered on Jan 01, 2025

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I am investing in mutual funds via FUNDSINDIA since 2016 through SIP (currently at 35000 pm). Their app shows invested value as 18,37,001/- and current value as 27,99,510/- with an annualised return as 19.9%. Is the return really 19.9%? is it good? Recently only i came to know they provide only regular growth funds and no direct funds, so how much i am loosing in that, Is it advisable that i take out all my money from them and invest directly through mutual funds website? current allocation is : 360 one quant fund reg(g) : 7000 icici pru value discovery fund(g): 7500 Parag parikh flexi cap fund reg(g): 5000 Mirae asset aggressive hybrid fund reg(g): 2500 axis midcap fund: reg(g): 3000 Kotak small cap fund(g): 5000 mirae asset large cap fund reg(g): 5000 Please advice comprehensibly as i need to take decision if i need to switch
Ans: Hello;

Almost 20% annualized return is a very good performance.

Do you think you could have managed this on your own without help from the MFD website?

Answer this question with full honesty to yourself because a YES means you may invest in direct plans henceforth and move your investments gradually to the direct platform to optimise LTCG impact.

However if the answer is NO then you agree that the MFD platform has added value by guiding and helping you generate such excellent returns.

Typically there is a difference in Total Expense Ratio(TER) applicable for Direct and Regular plan options.

In Direct plans it's DIY(Do It Yourself) hence return maybe slightly higher compared to regular plans but your distributor guides you to suitable schemes which are apt for your risk appetite, financial profile, asset allocation and investment horizon.

But keep a practice of reviewing your fund performance vis-a-vis category average, benchmark and risk adjusted returns annually.

Also the asset allocation needs to be adjusted to suit your risk profile over a span of period.

Happy Investing;
X: @mars_invest

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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |4018 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jan 01, 2025

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Sir I was absent in all my class 12th boards and practical in the year 2023-24 due to a medical illness, now I'm appearing as a regular candidate in the year 2024-25 boards. Will I be eligible for jee advanced 2025 and 2026 as in jee advanced attempt counts start from first appearance in class 12th, will they consider my board 2024 absent as an attempt? Will I be eligible for jee advanced 2025 and 2026? Specifically 2026
Ans: Heera, The eligibility for JEE Advanced 2025 and 2026 relies on how the test authorities see your situation about your attempts in the Class 12 board exams. Candidates can try JEE Advanced two times in successive years maximum. The first year a candidate shows up for the complete set of tests appears in Class 12. That year is not regarded as an attempt or appearance if you missed all Class 12 board tests for medical reasons and did not receive a result. Your legitimate first look will land around 2024–25. Get in touch with the JEE Advanced officials, show medical credentials, and offer paperwork proving your first honest attempt in Class 12 exams to confirm your eligibility. You will be qualify for JEE Advanced 2025 and 2026 if you re-registered for 2024–25 after missing the tests in 2023–24 for a legitimate medical reason.

Right now, only pay close attention to getting ready for the JEE/Other Engineering Entrance Exam.

Value Addition Suggestion: Instead of depending just on JEE, have Plan B and Plan C, appearing for 5-7 Entrance Exams.

All The BEST for Your Prosperous Future.

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DISCLAIMER: The content of this post by the expert is the personal view of the rediffGURU. Investment in securities market are subject to market risks. Read all the related document carefully before investing. The securities quoted are for illustration only and are not recommendatory. Users are advised to pursue the information provided by the rediffGURU only as a source of information and as a point of reference and to rely on their own judgement when making a decision. RediffGURUS is an intermediary as per India's Information Technology Act.

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