If you have health insurance, have you heard about consumable covers?
If not, this blog is for you.
Health insurance is a helpful pillar that gives us support when we or our loved one are hospitalized for treatment. We all know what health insurance covers, such as doctor consultation fees, surgery costs, room rent, etc. But we don’t know that the very crucial thing that a basic health insurance plan doesn’t cover is ‘consumable cover.’
There are hidden costs during hospitalization that often surprise patients and their families. One of the biggest reasons for these out-of-pocket expenses is something called “consumables.”
Let’s know more about consumable cover, and this is how you can avoid the extra costs of treatment.
What Are Consumables?
Consumables are items used only once during medical treatment and then thrown away. These are not medicines, but small medical supplies that are used during surgery, treatment, or even regular care in the hospital.
Here are some examples:
• Gloves
• Masks
• PPE kits (used during COVID-19)
• Syringes and needles
• Cotton, bandages, and dressings
• IV tubes and cannulas
• Disinfectants and sanitizers
• Oxygen masks
• Thermometers and surgical tools
These things seem small, but they add up very quickly in a hospital bill.
Why is Consumables Cover Important in 2025?
From small to big surgeries require consumables; without consumable items, a minor surgery can’t happen. And after COVID, hygiene and sanitation are more in focus (which includes consumables).
But many regular health insurance policies don’t cover these consumables. And you have to pay for consumables even if your treatment is cashless.
Research says that during a medical surgery, the cost of consumables can be 40-50% of your total bill.
Paying such an amount despite having medical insurance can break you financially and emotionally. You might end up paying thousands or even lakhs of rupees out of pocket instead of your insurer covering it.
Do You Have a Consumables Cover in Your Health Insurance? Here’s How to Check (and Add It If You Don’t)
How to check
- Ask your Insurer: You can coordinate with your insurer whether you have consumable cover included in your health insurance or not.
- Check your policy document: You can check it in your policy documents, especially in the ‘inclusion & exclusions’ sections.
- Call customer care: If you don’t have your insurer’s contact details, you can connect with the call center of your insurance company.
How to add
- Add at the time of renewal of your policy: if you want to add consumable cover to your existing policy, you can add it at the time of renewal of your policy.
- Upgrade your policy: If in your policy consumable is not supported, then you can upgrade your policy with a minimal premium extension.
- You can port your insurance: If in your existing policy, it’s not possible to add consumable cover then you can port your policy to another company.
Why Is Consumable Cover Important to Have?
Having insurance isn’t enough if you don’t have consumable cover in your insurance. In today’s world of rising medical costs, having a health policy without consumables cover is like buying a car without wheels; it just doesn’t give full protection. And it’s not worth.
If you want your policy to truly help you during a medical emergency and not just cover the basics then make sure consumables are included.
Further reads
5 Reasons You Need Consumables Cover in Mediclaim Policy (2025)
Conclusion
The mainly asked and concern question people ask to insurer is What would be my premium? But asking about consumable cover is equally important. Maybe a little rise in premium can give you millions of benefits, so don’t ignore that.
If you’re unsure about whether your current health insurance includes this cover or need help choosing the right one, feel free to contact us at www.insurancemart.co.in. We’re here to help you make the right choice.
So, did you check whether you have consumable cover included in your health insurance or not?
