LIC (Life Insurance Corporation of India) is primarily known for life insurance, but it also offers health insurance (medical insurance) plans. These health plans are designed to provide financial support during medical emergencies rather than reimbursing actual hospitalization bills like traditional health insurance policies.
This guide will explain LIC’s health insurance offerings, how they work, and whether they are the right fit for you.
✔ Life Insurance – Pays a sum of money to the insured’s family in case of death.
✔ Health Insurance – Provides fixed lump sum benefits for medical conditions, surgeries, or hospital stays.
✔ Combination Plans – Some LIC life insurance policies come with health riders that offer additional medical coverage.
LIC’s health insurance plans do not work like traditional health insurance, where you get reimbursed for hospital bills. Instead, they offer fixed benefits upon diagnosis of a covered medical condition.
Here are the key medical insurance policies offered by LIC:
1. LIC’s Arogya Rakshak Plan (Best for General Health Coverage)
A fixed-benefit health plan that pays a lump sum in case of hospitalization or surgery.
Key Features:
Limitations:
Best for those who want a fixed payout for medical expenses without dealing with claim reimbursements.
2. LIC’s Cancer Cover Plan (Best for Cancer-Specific Protection)
A special plan that provides financial support for cancer treatment.
Key Features:
Limitations:
Best for those who want cancer-specific coverage to manage treatment costs.
3. LIC’s Jeevan Arogya Plan (Discontinued but Previously Offered)
A family floater health plan that worked like a daily hospital cash benefit policy.
No longer available for new customers.
Feature | LIC Health Insurance | Traditional Health Insurance (e.g., Star, ICICI Lombard, HDFC Ergo) |
---|---|---|
Hospitalization Coverage | Pays a fixed amount per day | Reimburses actual hospital expenses |
Surgery Coverage | Pays fixed lump sum | Covers surgical bills & ICU costs |
Critical Illness Benefits | Lump sum for covered diseases | Covers treatment costs for critical illnesses |
Cashless Claims | No | Yes |
Covers OPD (Doctor Visits, Tests, Medicines)? | No | Yes (in some plans) |
LIC’s health insurance is ideal for those who prefer guaranteed payouts rather than claim-based reimbursements.
✔ If you already have life insurance with LIC and want additional medical benefits.
✔ If you want a lump sum payout instead of medical bill reimbursements.
✔ If you are looking for cancer-specific insurance.
✔ If you want to cover family members (spouse, children, parents) under one plan.
For full-fledged health insurance, consider policies from Star Health, ICICI Lombard, Niva Bupa, HDFC Ergo, etc.
✔ YES, LIC offers health insurance plans like Arogya Rakshak and Cancer Cover, but these are fixed-benefit plans, not reimbursement-based health insurance.
✔ LIC’s health plans are great for:
If you want a plan that covers ALL hospital bills, medications, and OPD visits, you should buy a traditional health insurance plan from another provider.
Bottom Line: LIC provides limited but useful health insurance options, and whether you should choose them depends on your specific needs. If you want a full-fledged medical policy, look at traditional health insurers instead.