Are Lab Tests Covered in a Health Insurance Policy? What are the Benefits?

Prevention is always better than cure. This saying is very familiar to all of us. Irrespective of how healthy you may seem, it is necessary for you to undergo health checkups to monitor your vital parameters. This is a preventive approach to keep diseases at bay. This way, you can get any condition diagnosed at an early stage and get the right treatment. 

Lab tests are an integral part of a health checkup. They help doctors understand how different systems in your body are working. Based on your results, doctors can tell you whether you need to undergo a treatment or change your habits. 

In today’s world, the increasing cost of lab tests can be a matter of concern. But you can address this by investing in a good health insurance policy. With the right health plan, you can get reimbursed for your lab test expenses. However, you may have to produce original test reports and your doctor’s prescription to claim the expenses. All tests ordered by your doctor during hospitalization are usually covered in your health insurance policy [1]. Coverage of other tests such as preventive tests or annual checkups depends on your policy. 

To understand more about lab benefits covered in a health plan, read on.

Preventive tests 

Usually, health insurance plans provide free medical checkups once in every four years. However, these four years need to be free of any claims for you to avail a free medical checkup. In some cases, insurers may allow a checkup every year even if you have raised a claim. This depends on the policy you choose. 

Many providers include a package of tests as a part of their preventive health checkup benefit. You can get these done at the insurer’s network hospitals or labs. The costs for these tests will be paid directly to the lab by your insurance provider. If required, you can do these tests in a lab close to your home as well. The charges will be reimbursed by the insurer. Let these benefits motivate you to take proper care of your health! 

Diagnostic tests and X-rays 

Blood sugar test

This is a common test to check if you are diabetic. It measures the glucose level in your blood. When your doctor suspects that you may have diabetes, you are asked to undergo this test. With the help of a blood sugar test, you’ll understand if you have high or low blood sugar. This will also help your doctor determine if your diabetes medications are working properly. This test is taken on an empty stomach. You need to do an overnight fast for 12 hours and take the test the next morning.

Blood count test

There are red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets present in your blood. With the help of this test, you can determine these cell types and their numbers in your blood. This will help assess if you have any infection. For instance, an increase in WBC may indicate an infection in your body. Your doctor will be able to diagnose diseases like blood cancer, anemia or other immune system disorders with its results. This test does not require you to do any fasting [2].

Urine test

This test helps in the diagnosis of urinary tract infections. It detects the presence of white blood cells and bacteria in your urine. Also known as urinalysis, this test helps in early detection of kidney infections and diabetes. An early morning urine sample gives more effective results.

Cholesterol test

This is also called a lipid panel test. With the help of this test, you will be able to measure good and bad cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood. An increase in bad cholesterol can cause stroke and heart diseases. So, this is one of the critical tests that you should not miss taking!

ECG test

This is an important test that helps in recording the electrical activity of your heart. ECG helps in determining your cardiovascular health.

X-ray

This is usually used to check if your bone is fractured or not. It also helps in diagnosing conditions like pneumonia as it creates images of organs inside your body.

COVID tests

Considering the rise in number of active COVID cases, many insurers cover your COVID-related tests too. While hospitalization is normally included in an insurance plan, all COVID-19 tests done prior to hospitalization may also be covered. The catch here is that the test cost will be reimbursed only if it requires hospitalization because of a positive result. 

Any diagnostic test taken up to 30 days before hospitalization can be claimed. So, if you are tested positive and hospitalized, all your tests done before and after hospitalization will be covered. If you are tested negative, then you cannot raise a claim.

Since lab test benefits are offered in a health insurance plan, make sure to invest in a policy that suits your requirements. You can check out the Complete Health Solution range of health insurance plans on Bajaj Finserv Health. They offer lab test benefits up to Rs.17000 and also offer you a free preventive test package that includes more than 45 tests. You can make use of these benefits annually and keep track of your health with ease!