New Delhi, Oct. 22 -- Imagine a family living in a remote town in Bihar or a far-flung area in the hills. A family member falls seriously ill, but the required treatment is available only in a metro city. The family arranges an air ambulance to transport the patient to a hospital in the city. The bill comes to, say, Rs.10 lakh. Will health insurance cover it?

The answer is not straightforward.

The expense will be covered only if the health insurance policy includes an air ambulance benefit. Even then, sub-limits may apply, typically ranging from Rs.2.5 lakh to Rs.5 lakh, including in plans that offer unlimited sum insured. Depending on the policy, this limit may be within the base sum insured or over and above it.

Ashish Kumar, founder...