Missed Disclosure in Health Insurance: 3rd Year Confusion

Ans: Hi Harinarayanan, to answer your question if it will affect your claim settlement, yes it will and I suggest that you should declare and be transparent with the insurer.

If you have started smoking after the purchase of the policy, then at the time of renewal you should declare it to the insurer. In fact, any material change in activities between renewals should be declared to the insurer; it is then up to them to either adjust your premium accordingly or accept it without a change in the premium amount.

Ans: Insurance companies can reject claims for various reasons beyond falsified information like undisclosed smoking habits.
Here are eight common grounds for claim rejection. Please do not ignore these if you want your claim settlement process to happen smoothly:

1. Pre-existing conditions: If the policyholder has a pre-existing medical condition that wasn’t disclosed or was misrepresented at the time of purchasing the policy, the insurer might reject claims related to that condition.

2. Policy exclusions: Certain treatments, procedures, or conditions may not be covered by your insurance policy. If your claim falls under these exclusions, it can be rejected.

3. Non-disclosure of information: Besides smoking habits, any undisclosed information relevant to your health or lifestyle (such as pre-existing illnesses, risky hobbies, etc.) that could impact the policy terms might lead to claim rejection.

4. Lapsed or non-payment of premiums: If you fail to pay premiums within the grace period or if your policy has lapsed due to non-payment, claims during that period might get rejected.

5. Policy limits or maximums: If the claimed amount exceeds the policy’s maximum coverage limit, the insurer might reject the excess amount.

6. Fraud or misrepresentation: Any fraudulent claims, providing false information intentionally, or submitting falsified documents can lead to claim rejection.

7. Waiting periods: Some policies have waiting periods for specific conditions or treatments. If a claim is made within this waiting period, it might be rejected.

8. Policy violations: If the claim is in violation of policy terms or conditions, it can be rejected. For instance, seeking treatment from a non-network provider in cases where network providers are mandated.

If your claim has been rejected, review your policy documents thoroughly to understand the grounds on which the rejection was based. It’s also worth considering appealing the decision if you believe the rejection was made in error or if you have additional information to provide. Consulting with a legal or insurance professional might also help navigate the appeals process or understand your rights in such situations.

Ans: It's essential to be transparent about pre-existing conditions like high blood pressure (BP) when applying for a health insurance policy. While I can't provide a definitive answer without reviewing your policy documents and the specific terms and conditions, here's some guidance:

Review Policy Documents: Take some time to carefully review your health insurance policy documents. Look for any clauses related to non-disclosure of pre-existing conditions at the time of policy issuance.

Contact the Insurer: If you're unsure whether you disclosed your high BP when taking the policy, consider reaching out to the insurance company directly. They can provide clarity on the information provided during the application process.

Grace Period: Since your policy is more than 3 years old and you haven't made any claims, it's possible that any non-disclosure issues may be considered lapsed due to the grace period typically provided by insurers.

Future Claims: In the event that you develop heart-related ailments in the future, the insurance company may investigate whether the non-disclosure of high BP was intentional or unintentional. If it's determined that the non-disclosure didn't affect the underwriting decision or the terms of the policy, your claim may still be honored.

Seek Professional Advice: If you're concerned about the potential impact of non-disclosure on future claims, consider consulting with a legal or insurance expert who can provide personalized guidance based on your specific situation and policy terms.

Ultimately, it's crucial to maintain transparency with your insurer and ensure that all relevant information, including pre-existing conditions, is disclosed at the time of policy application to avoid any complications during claim processing.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

Ans: Hello;

In any insurance adequate disclosure is essential to get a thorough underwriting check and risk acceptance.

Once insurance company agrees to insure with the disclosures then chances of claim rejection are remote.

You may escalate the matter with Compliance Officer of the insurance company, insurance ombudsman or IRDAI for an amicable settlement, if possible.

You may also check with organisations such as "beshak.org" for any possible help in the matter.

Best wishes;