On buying a health plan, you are asked about the pre-existing diseases or ailments followed by certain medical tests to confirm the same. This also determines the corresponding waiting period in health insurance. As per IRDAI, any condition, disease, or ailment diagnosed forty-eight months before buying the health insurance policy is considered a pre-existing one. These diseases include hypertension, diabetes, thyroid, to name a few.
This waiting period in health insurance is meant for those diagnosed with a specific pre-existing disease, as listed in the policy document. It implies if you are suffering from a pre-existing disease, you need to wait for the prescribed waiting period in health insurance to end before you can claim any benefits. For some diseases, this waiting period in health insurance plans can be up to four years.