person in pink long sleeve shirt holding white samsung android smartphone

In India, people have always prioritised curative medicine above preventive care. However, if ailments and diseases are diagnosed in time, people can save themselves a lot of money, time and energy. Around 3.2 crore people go below the national poverty line by spending on healthcare out of their own pockets in a single year. (Source: MOHFW report).

Thus, a more practical and cost-effective way to raise society’s health standards is to detect diseases early through preventive health checkups. Though slowly, preventive care is become more popular in India due to the COVID-19 pandemic. More and more people are opening up to the need and significance of preventive health check-ups. A recent survey says out of 1,000 people, at least 40% of the participants strongly preferred preventative health (Source: Business Standard). A preventive health check is an integral part of any health insurance policy, and it is essential to understand what includes in such a checkup.

What is a preventive health check-up?

A preventive health checkup typically includes a physical exam, blood tests, and other diagnostic tests that help detect any underlying medical issues. By undergoing regular preventive health checks, you can ensure that you stay healthy and take proactive steps toward preventing any potential illnesses. These tests aim to identify any medical issues that may develop, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and cancer. 

What is included in preventive health checkups?

The following are the inclusions of preventive health check-ups: 

  • Physical Exam: Physical exam typically consists of various tests like that for as blood pressure, heart rate, body weight measurements, dental examination, etc. It may also include other medical tests such as X-rays, MRI, CT, and ultrasounds.
  • Lab Tests & Imaging Exams: These diagnostic tests help identify potential health issues that are not visible to the naked eye. These tests include blood tests for glucose, cholesterol, electrolytes, urinalysis tests, etc. Common imaging exams include chest x-rays, mammograms, and bone density scans.
  • Screening Tests & Vaccines: A preventive health check is essential to staying healthy. It involves a comprehensive medical evaluation to identify potential health risks, screenings for mental assessment, and vaccines to help prevent illnesses. Depending on age, gender, family history, and lifestyle, a doctor may recommend certain screenings and vaccines during a health checkup.
  • Risk Assessments & Nutritional Counseling:  Risk assessments and nutritional counseling are two important components of a preventive health check. Risk assessments typically include a review of a patient’s medical history to identify any genetic or environmental risk factors for certain diseases or health conditions. Nutritional counseling assists patients in understanding how their diet and lifestyle can affect their health. It helps patients make decisions about their diet and nutrition to improve their health.

Benefits of getting preventive health checkups

 Listed below are some of the major advantages of preventive healthcare :

  • Early detection and treatment of diseases: Regular checkups and screenings can help identify health problems early when they are easier to treat. Health checkups can help doctors to identify any potential changes in health status over time.
  • Improved quality of life: Preventive healthcare measures, such as regular checkups, vaccinations, and lifestyle modifications, can help you lead healthier lives and reduce your risk of chronic illnesses such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
  • Establish a baseline for future healthcare: Setting a baseline for future healthcare is important for effective health management and can help you to maintain optimal health. Preventive health checks provide you with a comprehensive assessment of your current health status. It can help identify potential risk factors that can lead to more serious health problems.
  • Reduced complications, saving money on medical costs: Preventive healthcare can also help reduce healthcare costs in the long run by catching and treating illnesses before they become more serious. A preventive checkup also helps to reduce the risk of developing certain diseases and chronic conditions, which can be more expensive to treat.
  • Provides patients with more time to get the necessary treatment: Early detection of health problems can also help reduce the need for more invasive treatments, such as surgery. Preventive healthcare allows patients more time to get the necessary treatment and make lifestyle changes that can help prevent further health complications.
  • Tax benefits: As per Section 80D of the Income Tax Act, if you and your family undergo preventative medical exams, you are eligible for tax deductions of up to INR 5000 every fiscal year.

You could deduct this expense even if you paid the bills in cash, unlike health insurance policies that require organized banking channels for premium payments to qualify for tax benefits.

A preventive health checkup is an essential part of a health insurance policy. It can help you identify potential health risks and take steps to avoid them. Regular preventive healthcare can ensure that your body is functioning optimally and that any underlying medical conditions are identified and treated on time. This can help you stay healthy and save money on costly medical bills in the long run.

Furthermore, preventive health checkups can provide an individual with peace of mind, knowing they are taking steps to ensure their long-term health and well-being. Additionally, preventative care can reduce medical costs in the long term, as it is much more cost-effective to prevent a medical issue than to treat it after it has developed.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.