OPD is the Outpatient Department where basic cases that require optimum medical attention are treated. The diagnosis is well conducted by a doctor. You are simply required to visit the clinic and pay the consultation charges. In a hospital, it is the general OPD ward where patients are provided medical assistance and treatment.
Under an OPD category, you are not required to stay or get admitted to the hospital. Modern OPDs provide a wide range of services such as illness diagnosis, medical tests and minor surgical injuries.
Mentioned Below Are The Features Of OPD - Outpatient Department:
First point of contact in medical treatment.
Stepping stone for health promotion and disease prevention.
Facilitates screening and investigations for admission to the hospital.
Easy access to doctors/medical practitioners.
Ideal for general illness prevention/vaccinations.
Mentioned Below Are The Benefits Of Outpatient Department:
Less expensive in comparison to inpatient hospitalization.
Suitable for minor surgical procedures.
Access to a wide range of clinics/doctor’s/medicines.
Ideal for accidental related emergencies/Ambulance-on-call.
Control and surveillance of communicable diseases.
Provides a database of medical history and research.
Provides a training ground for medical, para-medical, nursing staff, and future doctors.
Q). WHAT IS COVERED IN OPD? (OUTPATIENT DEPARTMENT)
Doctor on call/chat consultations.
Outpatient consultations by a general Medical Practitioner(s) or a specialist Medical Practitioner(s) in a policy year
Clinical visits to the doctor for medical treatment.
Family members aged 91 days to 65 years.
Discounts on diagnostic and lab tests.
Q). WHAT IS NOT COVERED IN OPD? (OUTPATIENT DEPARTMENT
Any claim resulted due to involvement in illegal activities.
Any claim resulted due to substance abuse.
Inpatient treatment, day care procedures and naturopathy treatments.
Cosmetic treatments.
Self-inflicted injuries.
Health Insurance Plans With OPD coverage:
ICICI Lombard - Health Protect Plus, Health Smart, Health Smart Plus
Apollo Munich Maxima
Bajaj Allianz Tax Gain Plan
There is no such specific eligibility criteria for OPD as any individual who is ill can go to a doctor’s clinic and avail medical treatment. The eligibility for OPD cover depends on the health policy you have purchased. If your health policy covers OPD expenses, you can avail all benefits for the same.
What Is IPD (In-patient Department)
In-patient department refers to the services availed for medical emergencies/treatment arising out hospitalization. When you are admitted to the hospital for more than 24 hours. Example: General surgery.
Click Here To Know More: What is Difference between Day Care Treatment and OPD Treatment
In conclusion, medical health cover is best when it is comprehensive. Your health policy should cover every phase of illness prevention. Thus, it is suitable to purchase health insurance plan which provides cover for OPD expenses.
Reviews of OPD (Outpatient Department) Service
OPD may be an add-on but it is as important as your overall health insurance in dealing with medical emergencies. OPD will help you take care of all expenses arising out of doctor’s visits/consultation. This is ideal for people who have a chronic illness and are required to visit the doctor on a regular basis. Due to this reason, many insurance companies have floated health plans with OPD expenses cover. Another reason for its high demand is because of the tax-saving benefit.
Fullform of OPD is Outpatient Department.
The OPD limit is usually part of the sum insured or as defined by the health policy. If you make any reimbursement claims under OPD, it is deducted for the overall sum insured.
Not all health insurance policies cover OPD expenses. The ones who do, it is usually deducted from the overall sum insured.
The Outpatient Department in a hospital refers to the general section where patients visit for doctor’s consultation. It can be for a check-up, diagnostic test, follow-up to a previous appointment and micro surgical procedures. Under an OPD, you are not required to get hospitalized.
The healthcare services obtained in the OPD is known as OPD care.
Yes, OPD expenses are covered in individual health insurance.
Yes, you can buy OPD insurance cover as an add-on to the individual health plan or as a separate health product.
