Do group health plans cover retired staff?

Can I buy a group health insurance cover for my retired employees? Would pre-existing diseases be covered from day one under such a plan?

- Abhishek Bondia

How would the payment process work in this case—would the employer pay, or would the retirees bear the cost? Many of my employees do not have a private health insurance policy, so after retirement, they would be left without any form of medical cover. Would this group plan offer more comprehensive or affordable coverage than standard off-the-shelf market plans?

—Name withheld on request

Yes, it is possible to structure a group health insurance policy specifically for your retired employees. Such a policy can be custom-designed with varying waiting periods for pre-existing diseases, depending on the size and medical profile of the group. It is also possible to opt for coverage of pre-existing diseases from day one, depending on the insurer's terms.