With the start of the pandemic last year, we were all faced with a new, unknown situation. Since then, each and every one of us has been worried about our family, friends and colleagues. But the concern does not stop at companies either. As an entrepreneur, you should take responsibility for your own employees, especially in moments like this. 

 

In most European countries, protective measures and regulations within companies are prescribed by the state. Everyone is fighting together against the widespread spread of the pandemic.  

 

A large number of the measures were also adapted abroad. For example, testing, home office regulations and other protective measures have been introduced in the Indian subsidiaries and operations of European companies to protect and support employees on site. 

 

Health insurance – not a given in India

 

In Europe, the protective measures against the Covid19 pandemic are diverse. In many places, government requirements are supplemented by individual, operational measures. But one basic security has already become a matter of course for us: health insurance. In the event of illness or hospitalization, we receive the necessary treatment and, above all, are financially protected. 

 

However, this self-evident nature is not a fundamental global right. In India in particular, the insurance companies offer their employees have very low coverage amounts. The costs for more intensive treatment and, above all, a hospital stay, which is usually part of a corona infection, are usually not completely covered by insurance companies. 

 

Companies offer their employees additional insurance coverage

 

If companies with Indian locations want to offer their employees protection that is effective even if all precautionary and hygiene measures have failed, (additional) health insurance is a sensible option - even for companies whose employees are scattered across the country. 

 

In this case, we were approached by a European news agency that works with many freelancers in India. Employees who have been keeping us up to date on the development of the Indian situation for months with their reporting and who are themselves constantly exposed to the pandemic and have to deal with the dramatic consequences on site. 

 

Due to the scattered work locations of the employees, protective measures such as a central testing facility or similar cannot be implemented. However, before a company decides whether and which insurance is suitable, the circumstances and requirements must be analyzed:

 

  • Check existing insurance: Is the existing coverage sufficient to cover the costs in the event of infection and illness? 

 

  • Research hospital stay: How long is an average hospital stay and/or intensive care unit stay due to a Covid19 infection in the respective cities?  
     
  • Cost check: What is the average cost of Covid19 treatment in a private hospital? 

 

  • Insurance check: Cost calculation and coverage of different insurance policies compared to each other 

 

  • Verification of withdrawals: Do insurance companies even pay out up to the specified limits? 

 

  • Vaccination training: Check whether there are requirements for vaccination training and education 

 

  • Vaccination centers: Check whether setting up vaccination centers would make sense 

 

 

 

Insurance package for all employees

 

Together with the news agency and a variety of insurance companies, we were able to put together a suitable health insurance package for all employees.  

 

In the event of an infection or illness, they are at least well protected financially and can concentrate on getting well - without thinking about how their stay in the hospital will be financed.