India health insurance policies for NRI

Yes off course, NRIs can definitely purchase a Health Insurance policy in India and can make a claim under the policy as well. Assuming they are abroad regularly and travel to India for a leisure/ business trip or medical tourism, they can utilise this policy during their stay in India. They will however need to show residence proof in India, Indian Income proof (premium ideally is to be paid from their Indian income) and other mandatory KYC documents for the same and also go through the Pre Policy medical tests if required. If the NRI visits India periodically and has a family settled in India, then buying Health Plan in India is recommended. Also If the NRI is currently based abroad and is planning on moving back to India soon; given the waiting period of many pre existing conditions, buying a policy is a logical thing to do. Hence there are a couple of factor for the NRI to keep in mind while planning on purchasing a Health Insurance policy in India:

• If they are returning to India in the near future – if they are not, postponing the purchase to a future date is advisable.
• If they have a Family Residing in India – they can be covered under this plan.
• If they are a NRI but working in the Merchant navy, Oil Rigs, On a Ship, Pilots etc or have a business in India they should have a health insurance plan.

There are also a few policies that cover medical treatment taken outside India and the NRI can choose to use this policy in that case. Another important fact is that since the cost of treatment is lower in India, the NRI can opt to return to India for treatment under this insurance plan.