What is Top-Up Health Insurance?

10 min read Posted on 15 sep 2025

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In the evolving healthcare landscape, the importance of having adequate health insurance cannot be overstated. While basic health insurance plans provide essential coverage, they may not always be sufficient to cover all medical expenses, especially during severe illnesses or prolonged hospitalisations. This is where top-up health insurance plans come into play. These plans are designed to provide additional coverage beyond the limits of a standard health insurance policy, ensuring comprehensive protection against high medical costs.

What is Top-Up Health Insurance?

Top-up health insurance is a supplementary policy that provides additional coverage once the medical expenses exceed your existing health insurance policy's threshold limit (deductible). It extends your primary health insurance, covering costs surpassing the sum insured under your base policy.

Top-up Health Insurance Policies at Glance

Below are some of the common specifications of the top-up health insurance plans:

Category	Details
Entry Age	Adults: 18 Years to 45 Years Child: Day 1
Policy Tenure	1, 2, 3 Years
Pre-policy Medical Check-up	Not Applicable
Grace Period	30 Days
Free-look Period	30 Days
Policy Type	Individual, Family Floaters, and Senior Citizen

Policy Features, Riders & Add-ons

Types of Top-Up Health Insurance Plans

Top-up health insurance plans come in various forms to suit different healthcare needs and financial situations. Understanding the types of top-up health insurance plans available can help you choose the best option for enhancing your health coverage.

Top-Up Health Plan

A standard top-up plan only provides coverage after the total medical expenses exceed the deductible limit in a single hospitalisation event. If the hospitalisation expenses do not exceed the deductible, the top-up plan does not activate.

Super Top-Up Health Plan

A super top-up plan considers the cumulative medical expenses during the policy period. Once the aggregate expenses cross the deductible limit, the super top-up plan provides coverage for subsequent claims. This makes it more beneficial for individuals with multiple hospitalisations in a year.

Top 10 Best Top-up Health Insurance Plans in India

Finding the best maternity health insurance plan in India is difficult, as different health insurance companies offer many maternity insurance plans. We at RenewBuy have put together a list of the top 10 best maternity health insurance plans in India with coverage benefits and eligibility criteria:

Plan	Coverage Benefits	Eligibility Criteria
Aditya Birla Super Health Plus Top-up Plan	Daycare Treatment Road Ambulance International/Domestic Emergency Services	Entry Age: 91 Days to 65 Years Sum Insured: INR 3L to 90L
Bajaj Allianz Extra Care Plan	No Medical Test Required Ambulance Cover Pre- and Post-Hospitalisation	Entry Age: 18 Years to 80 Years Sum Insured: INR 10 Lakh to 15 Lakh
Liberty Health Connect Supra Top-Up Plan	No pre-medical checkup Daycare Treatment Pre- and Post-Hospitalisation	Entry Age: 91 Days to 65 Years Sum Insured: INR 3 Lakh to 20 lakh
Niva Bupa Health Recharge Plan	Daycare Treatment ICU Charges Coverage for HIV/ AIDS	Entry Age: 91 Days to 65 years Sum Insured: INR 2 Lakh to 95 Lakh
HDFC Ergo My Health Medisure Super Plan	Daycare Treatments In-patient Hospitalization Pre and Post Hospitalization	Entry Age: 3 months to 65 Years Sum Insured: INR 3 Lakh to 20 Lakh
ManipalCigna Super Top-up Select Plan	Daycare Treatments In-patient Hospitalization Pre and Post Hospitalization	Entry Age: 91 Days to No Limit Sum Insured: INR 1 Lakh to 30 Lakh
Iffco Tokio Health Protector Plus	Hospital Room Rent Ambulance Charges Daily Hospital Cash	Entry Age: 91 Days to 65 Years Sum Insured: INR 2 Lakh to 25 Lakh
Arogya Top-up Health Insurance Policy	Daycare Treatment Ayush Treatment Organ Donor Expenses	Entry Age: 91 Days to 65 Years Sum Insured: INR 1 Lakh to 50 Lakh
Star Super Surplus Plan	Room Rent Cover Modern Treatment Organ Donor Expense	Entry Age: 18 Years to 65 Years Sum Insured: INR 5 Lakh to 1 Crore
New India Top-up Mediclaim Plan	Room Rent Cover Modern Treatment Cataract Expense	Entry Age: 18 Years to 60 Years Sum Insured: INR 5 Lakh to 22 Lakh

Disclaimer: We at RenewBuy do not endorse any specific insurance company or product offered by any insurer, and this list is just an illustration of the plans offered by different life insurance companies.

Key Features of Top-Up Health Insurance

High Deductibles: A deductible is the amount you must pay out-of-pocket before the top-up plan kicks in. The top-up plan provides coverage only after medical expenses exceed the policy's deductible limit.
Supplemental Coverage: Acts as an extension to your existing health insurance policy for additional coverage beyond base policy limits.
Affordable Premiums: Lower premiums due to high deductibles reducing insurer risk.
Flexibility: Choose deductible and sum insured amounts based on your needs.
Comprehensive Coverage: Covers hospitalization, pre- and post-hospitalization, day-care procedures, etc.
Super Top-Up Plans: Covers cumulative medical expenses beyond deductible in a policy period.
Tax Benefits: Premiums are eligible for deductions under Section 80D.
Cashless Treatment: Most plans offer cashless treatment at network hospitals.

Benefits of Top-Up Health Insurance

Enhanced Coverage: Provides additional protection beyond base policy sum insured.
Cost-Effective: Lower premiums than comprehensive health insurance.
Flexibility: Choose deductible and sum insured as per your needs.
No Overlap of Benefits: Activates only after base policy coverage is exhausted.
Tax Benefits: Premiums eligible for Section 80D deductions.

How Does Top-Up Health Insurance Work?

Example: Base policy ₹3L, Top-up ₹5L with ₹3L deductible

Scenario 1: Expense ₹2L → Base policy covers, top-up not used.
Scenario 2: Expense ₹4L → Base covers ₹3L, top-up covers ₹1L.
Scenario 3: Multiple hospitalizations totaling ₹4L → Super top-up covers ₹1L.

Factors to Consider Before Buying a Top-Up Health Insurance Plan

Deductible Amount: Should align with base policy sum insured.
Sum Insured: Ensure comprehensive coverage for high expenses.
Premium Costs: Compare for affordability and coverage.
Coverage Benefits: Review hospitalisation, day-care, pre/post hospitalization, etc.
Network Hospitals: Check for cashless claim convenience.
Claim Process: Ensure hassle-free claim experience.
Policy Exclusions: Know exclusions (pre-existing, cosmetic, etc.)
Portability: Option to switch insurers without losing benefits.

How to Choose the Right Top-Up Health Insurance Plan

Assess Your Needs: Evaluate health, family history, future medical needs.
Compare Plans: Use online tools to evaluate coverage and premiums.
Read Reviews: Learn from other policyholders' experiences.
Seek Expert Advice: Consult POSP advisors for guidance.
Check Insurer’s Reputation: Look for claim settlement ratio, service quality.

Common Myths About Top-Up Health Insurance

Only for High-Income Individuals: Top-up plans are affordable for all income groups.
Not Needed with Comprehensive Policy: Even high-coverage plans may be insufficient.
Complicated Claim Process: Claims are manageable with proper documentation.
Covers All Expenses: Plans have exclusions; read policy details.

How to Buy Top-up Health Insurance Plans?

You can buy from the insurance company’s website or via RenewBuy.com.

Buy from Insurance Company Website

Visit official website → Health Insurance tab.
Select plan.
Fill required info.
Click Buy Now.
Make payment.
Receive policy documents via email.

Buy from RenewBuy.com

Visit RenewBuy website → Health Insurance tab.
Fill form.
Compare plans → Select desired plan.
Click Buy Now → View plan details and rider info.
Proceed to Buy → Make online payment.
Policy documents sent to registered email.

Top-up Health Insurance Claim Settlement Process

Two types: Cashless and Reimbursement claims.

Cashless Claim Process

Planned Hospitalization

Inform insurer 48–72 hours before hospitalization.
Receive confirmation letter.
Submit documents, confirmation letter, and health card at hospital.
Insurer settles bill directly with hospital.

Emergency Hospitalization

Inform insurer within 24 hours.
Fill and submit claim form.
Submit required documents.
Receive authorization form to hospital.
Insurer settles bill directly.

Reimbursement Claim Process

Inform insurer.
Collect original discharge summary.
Submit claim form with ID proof.
Insurer verifies documents.
Claim is reimbursed after verification.

Policy Features, Riders & Add-ons

Disclaimer: The content published in this article is intended solely for the reader's informational purposes and should not be relied upon for personal, legal, or financial decisions. It is advisable to seek advice from a qualified professional regarding GST. The details provided regarding the GST are for reference purposes only and are subject to changes in GST laws. The Company does not guarantee suitability, reliability, timeliness, or accuracy of the information, services, or any other aspects mentioned in this regard for any purpose.