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Insurance Plans Comparison

Niva Bupa Health Pulse Classic vs ICICI Lombard Golden Shield

Make an informed decision with our detailed side-by-side comparison of top health insurance policies. Compare...

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Niva Bupa

Health Pulse Classic

Refill up to 100% of the sum insured once for a different illness, add a 10% no-claim bonus each claim-free year up to 100%, and pay a 20% co-pay for treatment in Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Kolkata and Gujarat.

What Makes It Special:

A value-focused health plan with Loyalty Additions, a Re-fill benefit and optional add-ons, with a 20% co-payment applying only in specified cities.

Best For:

  • Customers comfortable with room rent limits on lower Sum Insured options.

  • Adults aged 18 to 65 years buying a new policy, subject to eligibility.

  • People who want the option to add Personal Accident or Critical Illness cover.

  • Buyers who want their cover to grow through annual Loyalty Additions.

  • First-time buyers looking for straightforward hospitalisation coverage.

  • Families outside Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Kolkata and Gujarat who want to avoid the plan's city-specific co-payment.

VS
ICICI Lombard

Golden Shield

Cover hospital care for seniors, with a twin-sharing room below ₹10 lakh and a single private AC room from ₹10 lakh, a 50% co-pay on every admissible claim, and 60 days before admission plus 180 days after discharge.

What Makes It Special:

ICICI Lombard Golden Shield is designed for senior citizens and offers hospitalisation cover through individual and family floater options. Benefits include inpatient treatment, daycare procedures, AYUSH hospitalisation, pre- and post-hospitalisation expenses, domiciliary treatment and a Reset Benefit. The policy also offers a Loyalty Bonus and optional features such as Claim...

Best For:

  • Buyers seeking additional features such as Claim Protector or Care Management Plus, subject to availability and eligibility.

  • Customers who want to evaluate options for reducing the policy's standard co-payment.

  • Buyers who want a reset feature for eligible subsequent hospitalisation claims.

  • Older couples looking for a shared family floater or individual cover options.

  • Senior citizens seeking health insurance for eligible hospitalisation expenses.

Insurance Plans Comparison

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Our insurance experts are here to help you make the right choice. Get personalized recommendations based on your specific needs and budget.

Quick Decision Guide

  • The available Sum Insured options for Classic above ₹10 Lakh need confirmation because the prospectus and sales sheet differ.

  • There is no deductible option.

  • Maternity and general OPD treatment are not covered.

  • Pre-existing diseases have a 36-month waiting period.

  • Listed specified conditions have a 24-month waiting period.

  • Pre-hospitalisation cover is limited to 30 days and post-hospitalisation cover to 60 days.

  • For ₹3 Lakh and ₹4 Lakh cover, room rent is limited to 1% of the Base Sum Insured per day and ICU charges to 2% per day.

  • A 20% co-payment applies to treatment in Delhi NCR, Mumbai including Navi Mumbai and Thane, Kolkata and Gujarat.

  • Optional Personal Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Cash and unlimited e-Consultation benefits are available at additional premiums.

  • Mental illness, HIV/AIDS, domiciliary treatment and modern treatments are covered, with specified sublimits and waiting periods.

  • A single private room is covered for Sum Insured of ₹5 Lakh and above.

  • Re-fill of up to 100% of the Base Sum Insured is available for a different illness or injury. Optional Enhanced Re-fill increases it to 150%.

  • Loyalty Additions add 10% of the Base Sum Insured every policy year, up to 100%.

  • Compare the disease-specific sublimits with your healthcare needs, especially for cataract, cardiovascular treatment, cancer and renal conditions.

  • Review the 24-month PED and specified-disease waiting periods, along with the separate 90-day exclusion for hypertension, diabetes and cardiac conditions.

  • Check the room category linked to your sum insured to avoid unexpected proportionate deductions.

  • Review the base 50% co-payment carefully and compare the additional premium for reducing it to 40%, 30% or 20%.

  • Select a sum insured based on expected medical expenses and confirm that the desired option is available for your age and health profile.

Insurance Plans Comparison

Detailed Features Comparison

Compare the key features of different health insurance plans

Health Pulse Classic
Health Pulse Classic

Health Insurance Plan

VS
Golden Shield
Golden Shield

Health Insurance Plan

Brochure

Room Rent

Health Pulse Classic

  1.  Normal: single A/C private room
  2. ICU: no limit, expenses incurred would be covered by the policy.
VS

Golden Shield

ICICI Lombard's Health Shield plan offers comprehensive coverage with no specific capping on room rent or ICU charges.

Advanced Treatments

Health Pulse Classic

Including robotic surgeries, stem cell therapy (for specific conditions), and modern procedures like laser treatments and bariatric surgery.

VS

Golden Shield

The plan covers advanced treatments like robotic surgeries, immunotherapy, oral chemotherapy, stem cell therapy, and minimally invasive procedures for various conditions.

ICU Charges

Health Pulse Classic

Information Unavailable

VS

Golden Shield

Covered under eligible inpatient hospitalisation, subject to the annual sum insured and applicable policy conditions.

Co-payment

Health Pulse Classic

A 20% co-payment applies for treatments in Zone 2. Additionally, policyholders can opt for a 10% or 20% co-payment, which does not reduce the sum insured.

VS

Golden Shield

The ICICI Lombard Golden Shield plan includes a mandatory 50% co-payment, meaning policyholders are responsible for half of the admissible claim amount, while the insurer covers the remaining 50%. This co-payment applies to all claims made under the policy.

Disease-wise sublimits

Health Pulse Classic

Information Unavailable

VS

Golden Shield

Yes. Cataract and specified cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, cancer, renal, long-bone/joint and robotic-surgery treatments have limits that vary by sum insured.

Waiting Period

Health Pulse Classic

  1. Initial Waiting Period: A 30-day waiting period applies from the policy's inception, during which claims are not admissible, except for those arising from accidents. 
     
  2. Pre-existing Disease Waiting Period: For the Silver plan, pre-existing diseases are covered after 48 months of continuous coverage. For Gold and Platinum plans, this period is reduced to 24 months.
     
  3. Specific Disease/Procedure Waiting Period: For individuals above 45 years of age, certain listed illnesses and procedures are covered after a 24-month waiting period from the policy's inception. 
VS

Golden Shield

Information Unavailable

Cashless Healthcare Providers

Health Pulse Classic

10675+ network hospitals in India.

VS

Golden Shield

10,896+ hospitals across India.

Restoration Benefit

Health Pulse Classic

Information Unavailable

VS

Golden Shield

Unlimited Reset Benefit of up to 100% of the annual sum insured for eligible subsequent claims. It does not apply to the first claim and has restrictions for the same illness or related complications.

Daycare Treatment

Health Pulse Classic

Covered by the policy.

VS

Golden Shield

Covered under the policy. 

Cumulative Bonus

Health Pulse Classic

Information Unavailable

VS

Golden Shield

Loyalty Bonus accumulates under the policy's renewal rules; accrued bonus is not reduced merely because a claim is made.

AYUSH Treatment

Health Pulse Classic

Covered by the policy.

VS

Golden Shield

Covered under this policy

Consumable Cover

Health Pulse Classic

Information Unavailable

VS

Golden Shield

Claim Protector is available as an optional cover for eligible non-medical items associated with an accepted inpatient claim.

Initial Waiting Period

Health Pulse Classic

Information Unavailable

VS

Golden Shield

30 days for illnesses, except covered accident-related hospitalisation.

Specific Waiting Period

Health Pulse Classic

Information Unavailable

VS

Golden Shield

24 months for listed diseases and procedures.

PED Waiting Period

Health Pulse Classic

Information Unavailable

VS

Golden Shield

24 months of continuous coverage for declared and accepted pre-existing diseases.

Modern Treatment

Health Pulse Classic

Information Unavailable

VS

Golden Shield

Listed modern treatments are covered up to the annual sum insured, subject to specified sublimits.

Pre-Hospitalisation

Health Pulse Classic

Information Unavailable

VS

Golden Shield

60 days before hospitalisation, subject to policy terms and the accepted inpatient claim.

Post-Hospitalisation

Health Pulse Classic

Information Unavailable

VS

Golden Shield

Up to 7% of hospitalisation expenses, subject to a maximum of ₹5,000 for ₹3–5 lakh sum insured, ₹7,000 for ₹10–15 lakh, and ₹10,000 for ₹20–50 lakh.

Outpatient Department Cover (OPD Expense)

Health Pulse Classic

Information Unavailable

VS

Golden Shield

Not included as a general standard reimbursement benefit. Outpatient consultations may be available through the optional Care Management Plus Program.

Deductible Option

Health Pulse Classic

Information Unavailable

VS

Golden Shield

Optional voluntary deductible of 20% of the annual sum insured, applied on an aggregate basis during the policy year.

Coverage Options

Health Pulse Classic

Information Unavailable

VS

Golden Shield

Individual or family floater; optional Claim Protector, reduced co-payment, voluntary deductible and Care Management Plus Program.

Claim Settlement Ratio

Health Pulse Classic

Information Unavailable

VS

Golden Shield

FY 24-25: ~84%

Maternity Cover

Health Pulse Classic

Information Unavailable

VS

Golden Shield

Not covered under this senior-citizen-focused plan.

Insurance Plans Comparison

Still Confused? Get Expert Advice

Our insurance experts are here to help you make the right choice. Get personalized recommendations based on your specific needs and budget.

Why Choose Our Expert Consultation?

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Free Expert Consultation

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Talk to experienced advisors at no cost, and make confident decisions

24/7 Claim Assistance

24/7 Claim Assistance

Get a dedicated expert managing your claim end-to-end, from hospital admission to approval, including dispute resolution and support

What Our Experts Help You With

Personalised Recommendations

  • Every suggestion is backed by expert analysis of your life stage, goals, and budget

Expert-Led Policy Review

  • We decode the fine print—identifying risks, sub-limits, and gaps you may have missed. No surprises later

Smart, Tech-Enabled Experience

  • From digital onboarding to real-time claim tracking, our platform makes insurance easy, accessible, and stress-free

Insurance Plans Comparison

Explore Insurance Category

Senior Citizen Health Plan

Senior Citizen Health Plan

  • Secure against age-related medical costs

  • Tailored for seniors healthcare needs

Most Popular

Family Health Plan

Family Health Plan

  • One policy covers the entire family

  • High sum insured with cashless care

  • Multiple coverage options based on your family needs

Maternity Health Plan

Maternity Health Plan

  • Covers delivery, newborn care, and maternity expenses

  • Reduces financial stress of childbirth costs

Insurance Plans Comparison

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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