What Does Consumables Benefits Mean in a Health Insurance Policy?

Add consumable coverage to your health insurance and get comprehensive financial protection against 10-15% hospital bill hikes. Especially in metro cities, hospital bills are skyrocketing for long stays, major surgical procedures, or medical treatments.

Besides hospital bills, there's the hidden cost of used syringes, masks, gloves, cottons, and bandages. According to standard health insurance policies, these consumable items are excluded from coverage, leaving you to pay.

With consumable cover as an add-on to your health insurance plan, you get full protection. Bajaj General health insurance plan with consumable cover offers truly cashless care at 18,400+ network hospitals without compromising on treatment quality.

Learn why you should buy consumables and what consumables items are covered under health insurance policies.

What Are Consumables in Health Insurance?

Consumables are disposable medical items used during treatment or surgery that cannot be reused. In 2016, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India released an extensive list of non-payable items in medical insurance.

These include items like gloves, masks, syringes, cotton, IV tubes, and disinfectants. While these are essential to patient care, many standard health insurance plans don’t cover them, leaving policyholders to bear these costs out-of-pocket.

Suppose you are hospitalised for 4 days. During discharge, you are handed a hospital bill of ₹3.5 lakhs. If ₹50,000 is additional for hospital consumables, your medical insurance will pay only ₹3 lakhs; the consumables pay is your out-of-pocket expense. However, if you have consumables in your health insurance as an optional add-on, it pays the total amount.

It is an important rider you can purchase with your health insurance policy to reduce your out-of-pocket expenses during an emergency.

Also Read: What is Claim Rejection and Claim Repudiation in Health Insurance?

What is the Cost of Consumables in Health Insurance?

According to Fortune India, medical bills for surgical procedures are hitting ₹50 lakh. Consumable costs in health insurance vary from one hospital to another. It also depends on the type of consumable items and usage. Generally, the cost of consumable cover in healthcare ranges from 10 to 20% of your entire medical bill.

In case of major surgeries, longer hospitalisation periods, and advanced medical procedures, the cost of consumables can become high. So, adding consumables to your health insurance is essential to deal with such non-payable hospital expenses. 

How Does Consumables Cover Work?

A consumables cover is usually offered as an add-on or built-in feature in select comprehensive health plans. When included, it ensures that your insurer reimburses or settles expenses incurred on medical consumables as part of the claim.

Will adding consumable coverage to your health insurance plan save you from financial stress during medical emergencies? This is especially useful during surgeries or hospitalisations, where consumable costs can accumulate quickly. With plans from Bajaj General Insurance Limited, policyholders can get this added benefit under specific policies, helping them reduce personal expenses.

What are Consumables Items Covered Under Health Insurance?

Insurance plans with consumables coverage typically include:

Should hospitals provide a detailed breakdown of consumable costs, so you know exactly what you are paying for in your medical bill? Let’s check the table to know about consumable items in health insurance.

Always review the policy document to know the exact list of covered items under your specific plan.

Also Read: How to Draft a Health Insurance Claim Letter?

Consumables Items Not Covered Under Health Insurance

Despite the consumables cover, some items may still be excluded, such as:

1. Personal use items like tissues, toiletries, or cosmetics

2. Baby products (diapers, baby wipes)

3. Administrative charges

4. Food and beverages for attendees

5. Non-medical use items

It’s important to differentiate between medical essentials and convenience-related items to understand what’s reimbursable.

Why Should an Individual Buy Consumables in Health Insurance?

Exponential Rise in Consumables Cost

The cost of consumables is growing significantly after the COVID-19 pandemic, which increased the use of consumables. Generally, insurers do not pay for them. But with consumable coverage in your health insurance, the insurance company pays for non-medical items during hospitalisation, up to the policy sum insured limit.

Reduce Out-of-Pocket Expenses

Purchasing consumable coverage in health insurance eliminates your out-of-pocket expenses and secures your hard-earned savings. Policy health insurance insurers are liable to pay the cost of consumables with hospital bills during health emergencies.

Comprehensive Financial Protection

Having consumable coverage with health insurance not only pays the maximum amount for treatment or cashless hospitalisation. But it offers overall financial protection during unexpected medical crises. You can solely focus on your treatment instead of stressing about the cost of non-payable medical requirements.

No Compromise on Quality Treatment

Sometimes, people compromise on their treatment due to higher bills for non-insured and high consumable charges in hospitals. People opt for health insurance to get cashless hospitalisation and quality treatment with no out-of-pocket expenses. So, with consumable cover, you can afford the best quality treatments as your insurer will pay the total hospital bill. 

Who Should Consider Health Insurance with Consumables Cover?

1. Families with elderly members needing frequent medical care

2. Individuals planning for elective surgeries

3. Those living in metros with higher hospital charges

4. Policyholders looking for comprehensive coverage

If you fall into any of these categories, opting for a plan from Bajaj General Insurance Limited with consumables cover could be a wise decision.

Also Read: What is the IVF Treatment Full Form in Medical terms?

Things to Check Before Buying a Policy with Consumables Cover

1. Check the policy documents for maximum limits on the health insurance amount you can claim for hospital consumables.

2. Go through policy documents to identify particular items covered under consumable cover. It typically includes surgical items, administrative charges, and housekeeping items.

3. Ensure the consumable cover in your health insurance applies to network hospitals or not.

Always review the policy wording carefully and confirm with your insurance provider.

Conclusion

Adding a consumables cover to your health insurance is a small step with big returns. It ensures your claim amount closely reflects your hospital bill, without hidden gaps. With plans offered by Bajaj General Insurance Limited, you get the dual benefit of comprehensive coverage and reduced financial stress.

FAQs

Are masks and gloves considered consumables in hospitals?

Yes, masks, gloves, and similar disposable items are typically classified as medical consumables.

What are hospital consumable charges?

When you get admitted, consumable charges refer to expenses for single-use items during major surgeries, treatments or diagnoses. It includes attendant services, registration cost, surgical tape, surgical blades, cotton, toiletries, and more.

Do I have to pay for consumables upfront to get my money back?

In a cashless setup, insurers pay directly. In reimbursement, you pay first and claim later.

How can I add consumables coverage to my existing health insurance policy?

You can add it as a rider or choose to upgrade to a comprehensive plan that includes it.

Is consumables coverage available in group health insurance policies?

Some group plans offer it, but it depends on the employer's chosen policy structure.

Are medications considered consumables in health insurance?

No, medications are typically categorised separately from consumables in insurance claims.

Will my existing health insurance cover consumables if I do not buy any consumables?

No, health insurance policies in India typically do not cover consumables. Usually, consumables are non-payable medical expenses that are listed under health insurance policy exclusions. Therefore, you have to pay for consumable expenses yourself.

Does consumable coverage increase the insurance premium amount?

A consumable cover in health insurance is an optional add-on. Individuals can purchase them at an additional cost. Consumables reduce your out-of-pocket expenses but increase the total insurance premium amount, offering financial protection.

*Standard T&C Apply

Insurance is the subject matter of solicitation. For more details on benefits, exclusions, limitations, terms, and conditions, please read the sales brochure/policy wording carefully before concluding a sale.

Disclaimer: The content on this page is generic and shared only for informational and explanatory purposes. It is based on several secondary sources on the internet and is subject to changes. Please consult an expert before making any related decisions.

Claims are subject to terms and conditions set forth under the health insurance policy.