Standalone "coronavirus policies" appeared in 2020 as a response to the pandemic. Today infectious diseases, including COVID-19, are usually covered within familiar products: travel insurance, voluntary health insurance and illness insurance programmes. Here is where to look for protection and which policy clauses to check.

What OMS provides

Treatment of infectious diseases in Russia is part of the compulsory medical insurance programme (OMS, Federal Law No. 326-FZ). An OMS policy is valid throughout the country and entitles the holder to free medical care in public and private clinics that work within the OMS system. Voluntary insurance is not a substitute for OMS but serves other needs: treatment abroad, choice of clinic and service, and cash compensation during illness.

Travel insurance

OMS does not work abroad, and treatment there can be very expensive. Most modern travel medical insurance programmes cover infectious diseases, including COVID-19, like any other sudden illness: outpatient visits, tests, hospitalisation and medical transportation.

Before buying, check the policy wording for:

  • whether there is an exclusion for officially declared epidemics and pandemics — some programmes still have it;
  • whether accommodation in an observation facility or quarantine is paid if the illness is detected during the trip;
  • whether a trip cancellation option is included and whether illness of the insured or close relatives counts as a reason for cancellation;
  • the treatment limit and whether there is a deductible.

Countries' health insurance requirements change, so check entry rules before every trip. You can calculate and buy a policy online in the travel insurance section: the purchase is processed through Polis Re's partner, the Cherehapa service, and the policy is issued by the insurance company you choose.

Voluntary health insurance (DMS)

A DMS (voluntary health insurance) programme pays for medical services at clinics on the insurer's list. Infectious diseases are usually part of the basic cover: doctor visits, diagnostics, treatment at home or in hospital. However, some programmes limit or exclude inpatient treatment of infections, and in case of mass outbreaks the insurer may set a special procedure. Read the "Exclusions" and "Medical facilities" sections.

Fixed-benefit illness insurance

This does not pay for treatment; it pays a cash benefit when a listed disease is diagnosed or when the insured is hospitalised. The money can be spent on anything — for example, to replace income during illness. Such programmes are arranged under accident and illness insurance.

A classic example: tick-borne encephalitis

Inexpensive tick-bite policies are popular in Russia: they pay for immunoglobulin, laboratory diagnostics and treatment of tick-borne encephalitis or borreliosis. It is worth buying such a policy in advance, before the tick season begins.

Serious illnesses

For serious diagnoses there are critical illness insurance programmes. As a rule, they focus on cancer, heart attacks and strokes and do not replace infectious disease cover.

What to check in the policy

  • Waiting period. In many illness insurance programmes, cover starts not immediately but several days or weeks after payment. A disease diagnosed during this period is not an insured event.
  • Pre-existing conditions. An illness diagnosed before the contract was concluded is not covered.
  • Confirmation of diagnosis. A medical facility's report and laboratory test results are usually required.
  • Single payment. Some contracts terminate after the first claim payment.
  • Age and health. Age limits and a health questionnaire are common — fill it in honestly, otherwise the payment may be challenged.

How to choose cover

  1. If you are travelling abroad, get travel insurance and check that there is no epidemic exclusion.
  2. If choice of clinic and speed of service at home matter to you, consider DMS.
  3. If you need income replacement during illness, look at fixed-benefit programmes.
  4. If you live in a region with active ticks, buy a tick-bite policy before the season starts.

Polis Re specialists will help you compare terms from different insurance companies — submit a request.