Dependent in health insurance

A dependent in health insurance is a person who is among the those who are covered under your insurance plan. Any family member whom you want to provide insurance coverage to in your health insurance plan can be included as a dependent.

Simply put, a dependent is a person who is a family member or relative of an insured person. The insured's spouse, children, legally adopted children and parents can usually be placed on the dependent list. Apart from this, if a person is named as a family member of the assured in Annexure “A”, they are also placed on the dependent list. Insurers may also allow in-laws to be included in the dependent list, subject to certain conditions.

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If a health insurance plan is not specifically designed for a single individual, a dependent can be easily included in the plan. If some of your family members depend on you, then it should be confirmed whether the insurer is covering the dependent or not before buying a health insurance plan. However, if you already have a policy and wish to include a dependent in it, you can approach your insurance company regarding the same. The company starts the process of adding the dependent to the plan by getting you to fill some forms and provide documents. However, the change depends on the criteria of the company, as some companies may even reject the application.

If an unmarried person buys a family health insurance plan, their parents can be included as dependents. If you are married, the family health insurance plan covers children as well as your spouse. However, if your children have their own detached house, they cannot be covered under the health insurance plan.

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Children are generally considered the most eligible to become dependents in health insurance, as they are completely dependent on their parents. If you are thinking of buying a health insurance plan or are already a policyholder and want to include your children as dependents, then the following criteria need to be fulfilled:

• Age: The age of the child is the most important factor for them to be included in the dependent list. To become a dependent of the insured, the child must be below 26 years of age. If their age is more than 26 years, then they are not placed in the dependent list.
• Relationship of the insured: For a child to be included in the dependent list, you must also have a close relationship with them. The child whose name you wish to register as a dependent in your health insurance must be your own biological child, step child or legally adopted child. If that child has step-siblings or half-siblings, they can also be included in the coverage of the health insurance plan as your dependent.
• Length of stay together: If your step or adopted child has been living with you for less than six months, they cannot be included as your dependent. If the child has been with you for more than 6 months, they are entitled to be included in the dependent list.
• Contribution to income: If your child earns and their income is half of their expenses (including education), they can be included in the dependent list.
• Tax filing: If your child has filed joint tax returns in the year in which you want to add them as your dependent, they cannot be included in your dependent list.
• Other claims: A child can claim to be dependent in only one household. This means that if someone has already added the child to their dependent list, you cannot add them in yours, no matter what relationship you have with the child.

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Health insurance companies usually include your spouse and children in the dependent list. Your parents are often not included in the dependent list. However, the rules may vary according to each insurance company and its insurance plan, so you should inquire about it before buying the policy.

If you wish to add your parents as dependents in your health insurance plan, you can approach your insurance company regarding the same. In order to be dependent on your health insurance, your parents also have to claim to be tax dependent.

If your health insurance provider forbids you from including your parents as dependents and they are above 65 years of age, then you can take a senior citizen health insurance plan for them. If you have queries related to health insurance or need any other help, you can contact myUpchar regarding their Bima Plus policy. We will help you choose the most appropriate health insurance plan considering your financial condition and the health of your parents.

(Read more: myUpchar Bima Plus for senior citizens)

Apart from their spouse, children and parents, an insured can also include any other relative in the dependent list. You can include other people as a dependent person under certain conditions:

• Any of your relatives who have not yet been included in the dependent list of others
• If the annual income of a person is half of their expenses or is less than a particular amount fixed by the company.
• Apart from your relative, if any person is living with you for more than a year, then they can also be included in the dependent list. However, they have to fulfil all the criteria of the company.

(Read more: Can I buy health insurance for my child)