Health Insurance For Tax Savings

Tax benefits on health insurance are often overlooked when purchasing a health plan. The most common tax benefit in health insurance in the Indian context is 80D of the Income Tax Act.

However, there is more to the picture apart from health insurance tax benefit 80D.

In this article, we will uncover the different health insurance tax exclusions, their benefits, and how you can take the right advantage of them. Before we move on, let us understand health insurance first.

What Is Health Insurance?

Most Indians do not believe in preventive medical care. However, witnessing a global pandemic has changed how health insurance is perceived.

Investing inhealth insuranceplans will offer you a financial safety net against hefty medical bills. You and your family are covered for daycare treatments, maternity expenses, and alternative treatments.

Available as individual, family, and group health insurance plans come with tax deductions.

Introduction To Section 80D

The government of India established section 80D of the Income Tax Act.

Every individual and family (Hindu united family) is eligible to claim tax deductions for 2 kinds of premium payments

• For self and family
• For dependent parents

Health insurance tax benefit section 80D applies to all kinds of health plans including top-ups and critical illness. Moreover, Non-resident Indians (NRIs) can also claim tax deductions under section 80D for health plans purchased in India.

Tax Benefits On Health Insurance Eligibility

Indian Nationals and NRIs (Non-Residential Indians) along with Hindu Undivided families (HUFs) are eligible for tax benefits on health insurance under section 80D of the Income Tax Act, 1961.

Tax Deductions Under Section 80D

You can claim the following tax deductions under Section 80D as per the Income Tax Act, of 1961.

Tax Benefits On Health Insurance Premium

Let us further understand these tax deductions with examples:

Example 1

Mr. Nitin invests in a family floater health insurance plan. The family floater covers Mr. Nitin, his spouse, and 1 dependent child (all below 60 years of age). The annual policy premium paid is INR 18,000.

Furthermore, Mr. Nitin invests in a senior citizen health insurance plan (both parents above 60 years of age) for which he pays an annual premium of INR 14,000.

As per the table mentioned above, Mr. Nitin is eligible for a claim of up to INR 75,000 under section 80D including INR 25,000 for the family floater health plan and INR 50,000 for the senior citizen health plan.

This shows that the total premium amount of INR 32,000 paid by him for both health plans is well under tax deduction limits and will be refunded at the end of every financial year till the policies are active.

Family Floater Plan

INR 18,000

+

Senior Citizen Plan

INR 14,000

=

Total premium

INR 32,000

Example 2

Tax deductions under section 80D including preventive health check-ups.

Mr. Ashok has a family of 6 members

• Mr. Ashok (35 Years)
• His Wife (32 Years)
• 2 Dependent kids (11 and 7 Years)
• Father (65 Years)
• Mother (63 Years)

• Mr. Ashok purchases afamily floater planthat covers him, his wife, and 2 dependent children for which he pays an annual premium of INR 30,000. He also pays an additional INR 15,000 for his preventive health check-ups

  Cover	Actual Expenses	Tax Deductions Under Section 80D	Total Deduction Applied
  Premium paid for self, spouse, and children	INR 30,000	INR 25,000	INR 25,000
  Amount paid for preventive health check-ups for self, spouse, and children	INR 15,000	INR 5,000	INR 5,000
  Total Expenses for Family Floater Health Plan	INR 45,000	INR 25,000	INR 25,000

• Furthermore, Mr. Ashok pays an annual premium of INR 52,000 forsenior citizen health insurancefor his parents. He also pays an additional INR 10,000 for his parent’s preventive medical check-ups respectively. Let us understand all the tax deductions for Mr. Ashok through the table mentioned below

  Cover	Actual Expenses	Tax Deductions Under Section 80D	Total Deduction Applied
  Premium paid for senior citizens’ health plan	INR 52,000	INR 50,000	INR 50,000
  Preventive Health check-ups for parents	INR 10,000	INR 5,000	INR 5,000
  Total Expense for Senior Citizens Health Plan	INR 62,000	INR 50,000	INR 50,000

• The total tax exemptions that Mr. Ashok can avail of with both family floater and senior citizen health insurance in a financial year is INR 75,000.

Tax Deductions In Health Insurance Acceptable Mode Of Payment

Health insurance is truly cashless when it comes to tax deductions. You can claim tax deductions according to section 80D on health insurance premiums paid via all online methods such as UPI, Debit and Credit Cards, bank drafts, cheques, etc. However, health insurance premiums paid in cash are not eligible for tax deductions.

In the case of preventive health check-ups, you are eligible to claim tax deductions through cash as well as digital payments.

Health Insurance Tax Benefits Other Than Section 80D

This may come as a surprise but there are other lesser-known tax deductions applicable on health insurance plans.

We have discussed the same in the section below

1. Under Section 80 DD

   Under Section 80 DD, the annual limit for tax deductions on taking care of a dependent family member with a disability of more than 80% is INR 1.5 Lakhs. Dependents include

   • Parents
   • Spouse
   • Dependent Children
   • Sibling, or any other family member.

   When filing income tax returns, make sure to submit a medical disability certificate which is issued by the state or central government medical board to claim tax benefits on health insurance.

2. Under Section 80DDB

   Applicable for individuals and HUFs for availing treatment for a specific illness listed below

   • Specific neurological ailments wherein the disability is determined to be 40% and above
   • Malignant cancers diagnosed and certified by an oncologist
   • AIDS
   • Chronic Renal Failure
   • Haemophilia
   • Thalassaemia

   Tax deduction limits under section 80DDB

   • Up to INR 40,000 for below 60 years
   • Up to INR 1 L for 60 years but below 80 years of age
   • Up to INR 1 L for 80 years and above

Tax Deductions on Long-Term Health Insurance Plans

’I have purchased a 2-year health insurance plan, am I eligible for tax benefits?’ asks a curious customer to our PolicyX insurance expert.

Much to her surprise, we tell her how their health plan with a policy term of 2 years is eligible for tax deductions as per section 80D.

Your health insurer will issue a certificate claiming the amount of premium paid by you so you can avail of proportionate tax deductions under section 80D.

Factors To Keep In Mind To Get The Best Out Of Health Insurance Tax Benefits

Consider these factors before you claim health insurance tax benefits:

• Make sure to pay health insurance premiums online via UPI, Credit/Debit Card, Bank Draft, Cheque, etc.
• If you have a family floater health plan and a senior citizen health insurance for your parents separately you can claim tax benefits for both respectively.
• If you do not have the receipt for health insurance premium payment you are not eligible to claim tax deductions
• If you do not have a disability certificate from the state or central government medical board you are not eligible to claim tax deductions under section 80DD.
• You are not eligible to claim tax deductions for health insurance coverage provided to you by your employer.

Final Verdict

If you are under the misconception that health plans are mere protection plans for you and your family against medical bills, you may be mistaken. The multiple tax benefits in health insurance plans are encouragement enough for you to invest in the best health plans.

To understand how sections 80D, 80DD, and 80DDB are your financial saviours, refer to the article above. For any further clarification contact us at 1800-4200-269.

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