The Coronavirus pandemic highlighted the gaping holes in healthcare systems around the world. But one could argue that no other country faced as rude of an awakening as ours. While the United States continues to account for the most number of positive cases, along with the most number of casualties, reaching an alarming half a million number just a couple of days ago, India ranks second when it comes to the number of positive cases, and third when it comes to casualties that can be directly attributed to the novel Coronavirus.
COVID-19 also placed significant strain on our healthcare system, as our country battled the deadly virus with one of the lowest health budgets in the world, along with exorbitant costs and lack of proper access to healthcare. Furthermore, India has also been witnessing a surge in lifestyle-related diseases, and more number of people are getting sick because of stress, cardiovascular diseases, and other ailments that stem from unhealthy lifestyle choices.
Need for alternative payment options – How a digital health card helps
In 2017, the then-Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha, P J Kurien stated that Indians, on average, were spending 62 percent of their savings on health expenses. India currently has one of the lowest public spending of current health expenditure per capita, which does not bode well for the 1.3 odd billion people. The rising medical expenses and treatment costs further exacerbate the issue, which necessitates alternative payment options. As the health insurance penetration keeps gathering momentum, individuals today require a more convenient payment mechanism, so that they don’t have to deplete their savings to pay for their treatment.
This is where the digital health card comes into the picture. Digital health cards enable cardholders to avail cashless hospitalization and treatment. The government ramped up its efforts last year to improve the extant healthcare system in the country, and the Prime Minister vowed to offer health ID cards to every Indian citizen.
That said, once you purchase a health insurance policy, you are given a health card, which is similar to a debit card or a credit card, and lets you avail cashless treatment when you get hospitalized.
The claim process, when you get admitted to a network hospital of the insurance company is also simple and hassle-free, as insurance companies are now focusing on making the process convenient to the cardholders.
How to apply for a health card online?
If you want to know how to apply health card online offered by the Indian government, all you have to do is visit NHA’s website, and click on “Download NDHM ID App” link, or download the app from Google Play Store. You can then open the app, fill the registration form by furnishing basic details like your name and phone number. You then have to verify your details via OTP which you will receive on your smartphone to move ahead with the application process. You will be asked to fill another comprehensive form, and once you fill the required details, you can submit the application for the health ID card.
Innovative solution – Bajaj Finserv Digital Health EMI Network Card
Apart from health insurance, there are other innovative solutions that give you complete control over the payment process when you get hospitalized, or want to undergo treatment. One of the best, and popular health cards is the Bajaj Finserv Digital Health EMI Network Card, which allows you to pay for your medical, diagnostic and hospitalization bills, along with other healthcare costs.
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The Health EMI Card from Bajaj Finserv comes with a pre-approved limit of up to Rs. 4 lakh, and lets you repay the amount in bite-sized instalments. Furthermore, the card also lets you pay for the costs incurred by your family members when they undergo treatment. You can repay the amount in convenient No Cost EMIs, and avail more than 800 treatments, including dental care, diagnostic care, and hair transplant procedure, among others, from more than 5,500 network partners, located in 1,000+ cities in the country.
The digital health card can be instantly activated on the Bajaj Finserv Wallet app, which makes this health card the most effective, and the most comprehensive health card available in the country.
