As per a report published in Livemint, India is one of the countries with the lowest spending on healthcare. Consequently, government hospitals and treatment facilities bear the brunt of low funding and are inadequate when it comes to seeking competent treatment. It leads many families to resort to private hospitals and healthcare facilities, where the expenses for treatment are substantial, and in most cases, challenging to afford.

To ease this problem, leading financial institutions across the country have introduced facilities like digital health EMI cards that can significantly reduce the financial burden of paying off hefty medical bills. Nonetheless, before you apply for a health card, it is crucial to learn about its features and benefits, to make optimal use of it.

Following is an elaboration on what such a digital healthcare card entails and how it can make financing medical needs easier for users.

What is a digital health EMI network card?

A health EMI card is a financial tool that allows cardholders to convert their medical bills into easy no-cost EMIs, which can be repaid over a tenor of their choosing. It allows one to break up their medical bills into smaller amounts, significantly reducing their financial burden.

Furthermore, these health cards can be used to pay off the bills of treatments that are otherwise not covered under most health insurance plans. 

Features and benefits of a digital health EMI card – 

Before they apply for a health card, individuals must be aware of the plethora of benefits that it offers. Following are a few of them – 

• A high pre-approved limit

One can avail up to Rs.4 lakh as the pre-approved limit on their health EMI card that can effectively cover the expenses of treatments without hassle. Additionally, the cost of availing this card is extremely low, making it affordable for all.

• Instant activation

The card, once availed, is activated instantly. This makes using it convenient and hassle-free since users can utilise the benefits of the card as soon as they purchase it.

• Pan-India benefits

The benefits of this card can be availed in every city and state in India, allowing users to seek competent healthcare even while travelling. One can use the card at any diagnostic care centre, hospital, dental care clinic, pharmacy, and other such facilities, and opt for EMI payments on the bill generated.

• Wide range of coverage

The benefits of this card are available on a plethora of ailments for medical expense financing – few of which are not covered under health insurance plans. For instance, one can apply for a health card and enjoy its benefits on – 

1. Diagnostic care
2. General surgery
3. Bariatric surgery
4. Oncology treatment
5. Cardiac surgery
6. Homeopathic treatments
7. Orthopaedics
8. Pulmonology
9. Maternity care and IVF treatments
10. Slimming centres
11. Dental care, etc.

• Coverage for entire family

The benefits of this card can be extended towards a cardholder’s entire family. In this regard, family members can include spouse, parents, children and siblings.

• No documentation requirements

The application process to avail this health card does not require any documentation. One can avail it without undergoing any complicated application process.

• Flexible repayment tenor

Few financial institutions offer a flexible repayment tenor of up to 24 months, within which one can make the EMI payments for the medical treatment availed, as per his/her convenience.

With such benefits and more, this health EMI card is one of the most convenient means to meet the financial requirements of seeking healthcare.

Application process for a digital health EMI card

The application process for this card may vary from one financial institution to another. To avail a Health EMI Network Card, existing users can follow the steps given below – 

• Visit the online page for the card at the official website of the financial institution.
• Click on the tab marked “Get it now”.
• Enter the registered contact number and verify your credentials.
• Check available offers and pay a nominal fee to purchase the card.
•  After purchasing it successfully, individuals can access their card from their Wallet App with the NBFC.

Those who are not already registered with the financial institution can avail this card from any of its partner medical facilities like a clinic or a hospital.

However, individuals who are not existing customers with the company will have to submit the NACH mandate and KYC documents before they can avail the benefits of the card.

Thus, one can apply for a health card easily by following the steps given above. Nonetheless, before applying, individuals should also take a look through the required eligibility criteria to avail the card to ensure that the process is hassle-free. After availing the card, one can significantly reduce his/her difficulties associated with availing finances to meet medical needs.

An air cooler and an AC are the best solutions to beat the heat during the hot, dry and scorching summer months in India. But not everyone can afford the AC cooler for room as it may be a bit of an expensive investment. 

What’s more, the power bill is also another factor that will continue to affect your monthly budget. It is where an air cooler comes into the picture. 

Not only does it let you relax during sweltering heat, but it is even an affordable cooling solution that is an AC cooler for the room. Compared to an AC cost at around Rs.25,000, a personal air cooler begins only at around Rs.5,000 in India.

Additional Read: AC Buying Guide

If you want to know why you should go for an air cooler over an AC, then here is a post to go through!   

• Economical cooling alternative 

Not everyone can afford an air conditioner to beat the heat as it’s starting price in India for a small room (1 ton) is around Rs.25,000. On the other hand, if you are a bachelor, then you can purchase a personal air cooler beginning only at about Rs.5,000. Even a desert air cooler for a medium or bigger room may be available under Rs.10,000. Thus, when it comes to saving on your investment and yet enjoying comfortable cooling, an air cooler is the best bet. 

• Eco-friendly 

The coolant in the air cooler is only water, and it poses no harm to the environment. On the other hand, an AC’s coolants (CFC and HFC) are quite harmful to the environment. They may pose threats to the Ozone layer. If you want to contribute to a greener environment, then you can go for an air cooler. 

• Energy-efficiency

Many people don’t buy an AC despite having the affordability owing to the payment of larger electricity bills months after months. Running an AC for longer hours during the peak summer months may lead to paying more on electricity bills. On the other hand, an air cooler consumes at least 80% less power than an AC. Hence, buying an air cooler may work in your favour by being economical in the longer run. 

• Hassle-free installation and portability

You don’t need to install an air cooler. You can set it anywhere as per your wish in your room, and all that you need to have is a socket connection. On the other hand, ACs must be installed properly to get efficient cooling, and it takes time to do that. You need to call an expert to do that. What’s more, air coolers are also portable as they come with castor wheels. You can take air coolers from one room to another to enjoy cooling as per your wishes. It is not possible with air conditioners. 

You are aware of the reasons that make air coolers the perfect fit to ward off the heat this summer. Yes, they have disadvantages as well – they can’t function in humid areas, and they even produce noise during operations that may disturb your sleep. On the other hand, an air conditioner is a one-in-all cooling solution for all weather conditions. They are also noise free (windows ac are a bit noisy but less than an air cooler) and can let you have a sound sleep without issues. 

Which one to buy?

If you don’t want to invest hugely in an AC and later bother about paying bigger power bills that may hurt your wallets, then you should avoid buying an AC. Air cooler, on the other hand, maybe your choice if you wanted to keep cool without bigger investments and escalated light bills. No matter what you choose, you can always compare different models across brands to pick the best one matching your needs and budget.