Star Health Super Star

The Star Health Super Star Plan is offered by Star Health and Allied Insurance Company Limited. This health insurance policy aims to preserve your health and secure your savings.  

With this cover, you and your loved ones can have peace of mind as far as your medical bills are concerned without worrying about sudden financial strain. This plan is a smart pick for anybody needing a comprehensive health insurance solution without the need to break the bank.  

It is a cost-effective plan considering all the aspects it covers, right from hospitalisation, maternity and outpatient services to consumables. Among its standout offerings is the ‘Freeze your Age’ option, where you can freeze your entry age at the time of purchase—meaning you'll pay premiums based on that age until your first claim—and the ability to claim an unlimited number of times once in your lifetime. Plus, they also provide a Super NCB (No Claim Bonus), even if claims are made. 

On the other hand, one drawback is the lack of an option to make monthly premium payments. Additionally, our research highlights a concerning number of complaints related to claim settlement and policy purchase experiences, clearly indicating the need for improving the customer care services provided by the insurer. 

What are the benefits offered by the Star Health Super Star?

• In-patient hospitalisation coverage: The Star Health Super Star plan covers a wide range of expenses associated with inpatient hospitalisation. This covers any expenses incurred if you stay in the hospital for more than 24 hours. These could be room charges, nursing care, prescribed medications, consultations with doctors, ICU fees, and any other necessary medical expenses during your stay. The plan makes sure you're shielded from these high medical expenses financially.   
• Pre-hospitalisation coverage: Pre-hospitalisation expenses include costs you incur before being admitted to the hospital, such as medical check-ups, laboratory tests, X-rays, CT scans, and more. It's important to remember that these expenses will only be covered by your insurance if they are directly related to the condition that results in your hospitalisation and the claim is supported as part of your inpatient treatment. The Star Health Super Star plan covers all your pre-hospitalisation expenses for 90 days up to the sum insured.
• Post-hospitalisation coverage:  After you're discharged from the hospital, you may face additional medical costs, known as post-hospitalisation expenses. These can include follow-up consultations, medical check-ups, and other related expenses. To qualify for coverage, these costs must be directly linked to the condition for which you were hospitalised, and your claim must be approved under inpatient hospitalisation. This ensures that only relevant post-hospitalisation expenses are covered. Under the Star Health Super Star plan, you are covered for post-hospitalisation expenses up to the sum insured for 180 days after your hospitalisation.
• Daycare treatment coverage: Daycare treatments are medical procedures or surgeries that previously needed extended hospital stays but can now be completed within 24 hours due to significant advancements in medical technology. With the Star Health Super Star plan, you can enjoy comprehensive coverage for all the daycare treatments up to the sum insured.
• Domiciliary treatment coverage: Domiciliary treatment involves receiving medical care at home for serious illnesses or injuries when hospitalisation isn't an option, either due to the severity of the patient's condition or the unavailability of hospital beds. With the Star Health Super Star plan, all costs associated with domiciliary treatments are fully covered up to the sum insured. However, remember that 15 illnesses are not covered under the plan. 
• Organ donor coverage: The Star Health Super Star plan extends its coverage to organ donor expenses, including the costs involved in harvesting the donor's organs, up to the sum insured chosen under the policy. For added protection, the plan also offers additional coverage beyond the sum insured under its Organ Donor Cover.  
• Non-medical expenses coverage: The Star Health Super Star plan also includes coverage for non-medical expenses, with no financial limit up to the sum insured. But remember that it is available as an add-on. This includes the cost of consumables (items that are used up during treatment), such as nebulisation kits, gloves, oxygen masks, and other essential supplies needed for medical care. 
• No Claim Bonus: The insurance company will give you a No Claim Bonus if you file no claims during the course of the policy year.  With the Star Health Super Star plan, the No Claim Bonus (NCB) allows you to accumulate a maximum bonus of 100%. Importantly, if a claim is made, there will be no reduction in the accumulated bonus from the previous year. Furthermore, in the absence of any claims, you can earn an annual bonus of 50%, enhancing your coverage benefits over time.
• Super No Claim Bonus: The super no claim bonus is an upgraded version of the No Claim Bonus, and it operates in a similar fashion. Under the Star Health Super Star plan, the Super No Claim Bonus (SNCB) offers you the opportunity to accumulate an unlimited bonus as an add-on to your policy. Notably, if you make a claim, there will be no reduction in your accumulated bonus from the previous year. In addition, if you have no claims in the previous year, you can enjoy a substantial annual bonus of 100%, enhancing your coverage and benefits significantly.  
• Restoration benefit: The restoration benefit is a feature that restores your sum insured after you have used it up during a policy year. The restoration benefit under the Star Health Super Star plan allows for an unlimited number of refills within a policy year triggered by subsequent claims that lead to a partial exhaustion of the sum insured. This benefit covers both related and unrelated illnesses, ensuring that you have additional coverage even after your initial amount is used. Once the sum insured is exhausted, the reinstatement of the sum insured benefit becomes available, providing you with added peace of mind and financial protection throughout your policy term. 

Please keep in mind that the limitations and conditions listed in the benefits section above pertain to a sum insured of Rs. 10 lakhs.

Star Health Super Star: Financial Limits

• Room rent limit: The room rent limit is the maximum amount your insurance will cover for hospital room expenses. As long as you choose a room within this limit, you won't have to pay anything extra. But if you opt for a room that costs more than you're eligible for, a proportionate deduction will apply. With the Star Health Super Star plan, you have complete freedom to select any room without any restrictions.
• ICU rent limit: The ICU rent limit is the maximum amount that your health insurance will pay for your stay in the hospital's intensive care unit. With the Star Health Super Star plan, there’s no limit on ICU rent. This means the plan will fully cover your ICU stay costs up to the total sum insured. 
• Copayment: Copayment is a portion of the claim amount that you're responsible for paying out of pocket. After you've covered this share, the insurer takes care of the remaining costs. However, under the Star Health Super Star plan, there is no provision for co-payment.
• Deductible: A deductible is a set amount you must pay out of pocket before your insurance kicks in to cover the rest of your medical expenses. However, there are no deductible options under the Star Health Super Star plan. 
• Limits on surgeries/treatments: This refers to the maximum amount your health insurance will cover for certain medical procedures or treatments. Some plans set specific limits for these procedures, while others may not. The Star Health Super Star plan provides full coverage for cataract treatments and joint replacement surgeries up to the total sum insured. 
• Freeze your age benefit: The Star Health Super Star plan offers a unique Freeze Your Age feature, allowing you to lock in their premium rates up to the age of 50. After turning 55, however, the premiums will be based on the insured's current age at renewal, regardless of whether claims were made or not. This provides long-term savings for those opting into the benefit early. 

Please note that the above financial limits are taken for a 30-year-old individual opting for a sum insured of Rs. 10 Lakhs.

Star Health Super Star: Waiting Periods & Exclusions

👉Waiting period

The waiting period is a set timeframe during which certain illnesses and medical conditions aren't covered right after you get a health insurance policy. You can only file claims for these conditions once this period has passed. 

Here are some important types of waiting periods -

• Initial waiting period: All illnesses, except for those caused by accidents, come with an initial waiting period of 30 days. During this time, you can’t file a claim for hospitalisation unless it's the result of an accident.
• Waiting period for pre-existing conditions: A pre-existing condition refers to any medical issue or illness you experienced in the 36 months before purchasing a health insurance policy. Under the Star Health Super Star plan, there's a waiting period of 36 months for these conditions. However, remember that during this time, you won't be able to submit claims for expenses related to your pre-existing health issues. 
• Waiting period for specific diseases: Insurers maintain a list of specific medical conditions or illnesses that come with waiting periods, in addition to pre-existing conditions, regardless of your past health history. The duration of these waiting periods is set by the insurer and is independent of your current health status. The Star Health Super Star plan has a waiting period of 24 months for various specific diseases.

👉Exclusions

Exclusions refer to particular circumstances that health insurance policies don’t cover. Below are some common types of exclusions  -

• Standard Permanent Exclusions: As per the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), all healthcare insurance providers must strictly follow the list of standard permanent exclusions at all times. The following are a few examples of exclusion kinds-

1. Investigation and evaluation: Hospital stays are made just for observation or monitoring.
2. Rest, rehabilitation, and respite care: Staying in a facility for bed rest without receiving active medical treatment.
3. Obesity/weight control: Any surgeries, procedures, or treatments aimed at weight loss.
4. Gender reassignment: Treatments aimed at altering physical characteristics to align with the gender identity of the opposite sex.
5. Plastic/Cosmetic surgery: Procedures intended to alter the body’s physical appearance.
6. Profession in hazardous or adventure sports: Medical expenses arising from injuries sustained while participating in adventurous activities like river rafting, mountaineering, or scuba diving as a professional. 
7. Breach of law: Treatment costs for injuries incurred by someone attempting to commit a criminal act. 
8. Excluded providers: Care received from medical professionals or facilities that are not covered by your insurance plan. 
9. Narcotics: Treatment for addiction to substances such as alcohol or drugs.
10. Treatments in establishments arranged for domestic purposes: Costs for treatments received in nursing homes, health spas, or similar facilities that are primarily intended for domestic care. 
11. Dietary supplements purchased without subscription:  Vitamins, minerals, and other supplements that are not prescribed by a medical professional.
12. Refractive error: Expenses incurred to correct refractive errors of up to 7.5 diopters to improve vision.
13. Unproven treatments: Medical procedures, surgeries, or other treatments that lack proven effectiveness.
14. Expenses related to sterility, birth control, and infertility: Costs associated with sterilisation, contraception, artificial insemination, and advanced reproductive technologies such as IVF, GIFT, ZIFT, and ICSI, including gestational surrogacy. 
15. Maternity expenses: Costs related to childbirth, including pre-natal and post-natal care.

• Additional permanent exclusions: Insurers have the option to impose extra exclusions for specific medical diseases and illnesses in addition to the standard permanent exclusions. They may choose to permanently exclude certain diseases or serious medical conditions from your policy if they consider them too risky to insure. 

It's crucial to understand that insurers must adhere to a specific list of illnesses outlined by the IRDAI when implementing permanent exclusions. They cannot permanently exclude illnesses or diseases that are not included on this approved list. 

• Non-standard exclusions (Specific exclusions): Non-standard exclusions extend beyond the standard permanent exclusions specified by the IRDAI. These exclusions can vary between different insurance providers and are based on the specific terms and conditions detailed in the policy. 

Below are some specific exclusions outlined in the Star Health Super Star plan -

1. Circumcision is only covered if it is necessary for the treatment of a disease or injury.
2. Expenses related to the treatment of external birth defects are excluded, except those covered under Maternity Cover.
3. Treatments associated with general debility, recovery, fatigue, and nutritional deficiencies are not covered.
4. Costs arising from intentional self-inflicted injuries or suicide attempts are excluded.
5. Any injury or illness resulting from war, invasion, acts by foreign enemies, or similar military actions is not covered.
6. Injuries or illnesses caused by nuclear weapons or materials are excluded.
7. Specific therapies, including hyperbaric oxygen therapy, low-level laser therapy, and photodynamic therapy, are not covered.
8. Procedures such as Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) treatments, intra-articular injection therapy, and chondrocyte implantation are excluded.
9. Biological treatments are only covered if administered during hospitalisation.
10.  Costs for vaccinations and inoculations are not covered, except for post-animal bite treatments and those needed for therapeutic purposes.
11.  Expenses for spectacles, contact lenses (beyond what is specifically allowed), hearing aids, walkers, crutches, wheelchairs, and similar devices are excluded.

What can you expect in terms of Claims Experience if you buy from Star Health and Allied Insurance Company Limited?

• Speed of claims: Star Health and Allied Insurance Company Limited has a claim settlement rate of 98.86% within just 30 days, ensuring you experience a smooth and swift claims process. 
• Claim-related complaints: Our research reveals that Star Health and Allied Insurance Company Limited has a complaint rate of 0.56%, which stands out at a higher rate compared to other insurers. This suggests that their claim settlement process may leave room for improvement. 
• Claims incurred ratio: The claims incurred ratio is a key indicator of an insurer's financial health, reflecting the total claims paid out relative to the premiums collected within a given financial year. Star Health and Allied Insurance Company Limited reports a claims incurred ratio of 66.47%, highlighting its performance in managing claims against collected premiums. 
• Claim settlement ratio: The claim settlement ratio showcases the proportion of claims successfully resolved by an insurer during a specific fiscal year relative to the total claims received. The claim settlement ratio of Star Health and Allied Insurance Company Limited is 85.32%. 
• Network hospitals: Star Health and Allied Insurance Company Limited opens the door to a vast network of over 14,000+ hospitals. This extensive reach enables customers to connect with a wide range of healthcare providers across multiple locations, ensuring seamless and cashless treatment experiences. 

How is the Customer Service of Star Health and Allied Insurance Company Limited?

• Policy purchase-related complaints: Our study indicates that Star Health and Allied Insurance Company Limited has a complaint rate of 0.06% regarding its after-sales service, which is notably higher than that of other insurance companies.
• Response on Toll-Free: Our research indicates that Star Health and Allied Insurance Company Limited’s response time on toll-free is quick compared to other insurers. 
• Response on Twitter: According to our research, Star Health and Allied Insurance Company Limited's Twitter response time is slow compared to other insurers.

About Star Health and Allied Insurance Company Limited

Star Health and Allied Insurance Company Limited proudly holds the title of India’s first Standalone Health Insurance provider. Established in 2006 and headquartered in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, the company offers a diverse range of products designed to meet the needs of individuals, families, and corporations alike. At the helm is Mr. V. Jagannathan, serving as both chairman and CEO, guiding the company’s vision and growth.