Overview
Niva Bupa Health Recharge is a super top-up health insurance plan designed to work alongside an existing base policy. It offers coverage ranging from ₹7.5L to ₹95L, with mandatory deductibles (ranging from ₹3L to ₹10L) that make premiums highly affordable. The plan covers inpatient care, pre and post-hospitalisation expenses, domiciliary care, day care treatment, AYUSH coverage, and organ donor expenses. Added features include, e-consultations, and discounts for online purchase and long-term policies. Optional add-ons include personal accident cover and critical illness protection.
Experts Review
Written by Nikhil Nair
Senior Writer
Niva Bupa Health Recharge is structured for individuals and families who already have a base health insurance plan but want to boost their protection at a lower cost. By choosing an aggregate deductible amount, buyers can reduce premiums significantly while still securing high coverage of up to ₹95 lakh. This makes it particularly attractive for those concerned about rising medical inflation.
The plan covers all standard hospitalisation needs, including room rent, ICU charges, doctor’s fees, medicines, diagnostics, and surgeries. Room choice is restricted to Single pvt room max, which is decent but not the best. Domiciliary care, day care procedures, organ donor expenses, and AYUSH treatments are also included, providing a broad safety net. No claim bonus of 5% p.a up to 50% (its low) and applicable only for Base Sum Insured up to ₹25L, so if you choose anything above that (up to ₹95L), there is no bonus, which is restrictive.
Optional riders extend protection further, with the Personal Accident Cover and a Critical Illness Cover that provides lump sum payouts for 20 major illnesses. The downside? The plan has sublimits on a few modern treatments like Intra vitreal injections & Robotic surgeries which is a dampener. But there are discounts available for online purchases, long-term policy commitments, and Niva Bupa staff, making the plan cost-effective.
Pros
Feature set is satisfactory.
Great pick if you're looking for something affordable.
Insurer has a solid track record with great claim and service metrics.
Cons
No Restoration Benefit, which is a notable gap.
Your insurer doesn’t provide free health check-ups, which could be a drawback for some.
Niva Bupa (erstwhile Max Bupa)
Key Insights
Founded
2008
Niva Bupa (erstwhile Max Bupa) was established 17 years ago and has built strong credibility over time, backed by its long-standing presence in the market.
Claims Experience
92% claims settled in 30 Days
Niva Bupa (erstwhile Max Bupa) settles 92% of all claims it receives demonstrating strong credibility.
Network Hospitals
10,000+
Niva Bupa (erstwhile Max Bupa) maintains a moderate network of 10,000 hospitals, offering reasonable coverage across key locations.
Complaints
43 complaints per 10,000 claims registered
Niva Bupa (erstwhile Max Bupa) has a relatively high volume of complaints, which may point to ongoing issues in customer service or claim handling.
Features
All
Great
Good
Co-payment
The insurer will bear the entire cost of treatment (up to the sum insured). You won’t have to pay a single penny. Meaning this policy has no co-payment.
Room Rent
You can share a room or you could have a single room for yourself. But if you are looking for anything slightly fancy, be ready to foot a part of the bill.
Disease sub-limit
Your insurance cover won’t be fully available in case you are treated for few robotic surgeries up to 5L and a few other diseases. Meaning the insurance company has a cap on the total amount they’ll pay out if you are treated for these specific illnesses.
Pre existing diseases waiting
If you’re already dealing with diabetes, cardiovascular problems or any such illnesses, the insurer will cover all costs arising out of these pre-existing problems after you wait for 3 years.
Pre/Post hospitalization
No worries if the doctor had to run a host of diagnostic tests before or after hospitalizing you. The insurer has your back. They will cover this amount in full for a pretty reasonable duration - 60 days before you are hospitalized and 90 days after discharge. This includes the cost of medication by the way.
Add-ons
Critical Illness
Paid out as a lump sum amount for Critical illnesses between Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 10 lakhs based on the cover chosen.
Personal Accident Cover
Paid out as a lump sum amount for Accidental Death, Total Permanent Disability, Permanent Partial Disability between Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 10 lakhs based on the cover chosen.
Permanent Exclusions
Conditions or treatments that the policy clearly says it will not cover.
RMO charges
Hormone Replacement Therapy
STD other than HIV
The condition which is not clinically significant or is related to anxiety, bereavement, relationship or academic problems, acculturation difficulties, or work pressure.
Expenses related to any admission primarily for diagnostics and evaluation purposes are excluded.
Disclaimer: For illustration purposes only - exact terms are in the policy wording.
Specific Illness
The following illnesses are not covered under the policy for 2 years.
Pancreatitis and stones in biliary and urinary system
Cataract, glaucoma and other disorders of lens, disorders of retina
Hyperplasia of prostate, hydrocele and spermatocele
Abnormal utero-vaginal bleeding, female genital prolapse, endometriosis/adenomyosis, fibroids, PCOD, or any condition requiring dilation and curettage or hysterectomy
Hemorrhoids, fissure or fistula or abscess of anal and rectal region
Waiting Period
30 days Initial waiting period
2 years Specific illness waiting period
3 years Pre-existing disease waiting period
Ditto's Take
◦ Standard ◦
After a close look at the waiting periods, it’s safe to say they are fairly standard.
What's missing in the policy
No Restoration Benefit.
Your insurer doesn’t provide free health check-ups.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does Health Recharge Super Top-up have waiting periods?
- 30-Day Waiting Period: Hospitalizations won’t be covered for the first 30 days of the policy unless it’s an accident.
- Specific Illness Waiting Period: There’s a 2-year waiting period for a list of diseases which is a mandate before you can start claiming.
- Pre-Existing Disease Waiting Period: There's a 3-year waiting period for any pre-existing disease you may have while buying the policy.
Does Health Recharge Super Top-up have room rent restrictions?
Does Health Recharge Super Top-up offer a restoration benefit?
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