Last updated on: May 20, 2025
The Reliance Health Gain Plan and Star Medi Classic Plan are both popular health insurance policies in India, but they differ in key features. Reliance Health Gain Plan offers flexible sum insured options ranging from Rs. 3 lakh to Rs. 1 crore, along with benefits like free health check-ups, wellness rewards, and restoration of sum insured. It also provides coverage for daycare procedures, alternative treatments (AYUSH), and no-claim bonus. In contrast, Star Medi Classic Plan is a basic health cover with sum insured options up to Rs. 10 lakh, covering hospitalization expenses, pre- and post-hospitalization, and ambulance charges, but with fewer add-ons and less flexibility. Reliance Health Gain is better suited for those seeking comprehensive coverage and higher sums insured, while Star Medi Classic is ideal for individuals looking for affordable, essential health insurance. Choose based on your coverage needs and budget.
One of the most important decisions that an Indian family makes is selecting a health insurance. Reliance Health Gain Plan and the Star Medi Classic Plan are two plans that are commonly compared when there are many options to choose from. They are both common medical insurance products in 2025 but are vastly different in terms of benefits, coverage, suitability, and features. This elaborate manual compares the two in detail to enable you make an informed choice.
Reliance Health Gain Plan is a broad-based health insurance cover provided by Reliance General Insurance and is an umbrella insurance that can be customised according to the needs of families, individuals and the elderly population.
The Star Media Classic Plan is provided by Star Health and Allied Insurance, which has a simple medical insurance cover based on basic hospitalisation and pre-post hospital costs.
Both are focused on Indian policy buyers who demand wide-ranging coverage, but also with a slightly different set of health requirements and preferences.
Expert Rationale: 2025 insurance analysts say that customers choose insurance plans based not only on features but also on claims settlement speed, after sale services, and hospital coverage area.
The two plans calculate premium by using age, sum insured, city, and the number of members. The following is an example of a premium comparison (annual, on a 35 year old couple having one child, floater plan, [?]10 lakh sum insured):
Product Name | Premium (Approx. [?]) | Waiting Period | Room Rent Cap |
---|---|---|---|
Reliance Health Gain | [?]15,500 | 3 years | Single Pvt AC. |
Star Medi Classic | [?]17,600 | 3 years | None. |
Later, you can see and compare new health insurance premiums in real time on websites that compare the products of various firms.
Reliance Health Gain Plan is flexible and fits current lifestyle requirements. Highlights of some coverage:
Star Medi Classic Plan is traditional and covers:
Did you know? Wellness benefits and OPD cover are more prevalent in new health plans, such as Reliance Health Gain, whereas older plans such as Star Medi Classic are more concerned with the normal hospitalisation procedures.
Pros
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Pros
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The other question that people are asking is: Is there a plan that will cover coronavirus diseases in 2025? The two schemes currently consider COVID-19 claims as ordinary hospitalisation should the pandemic extend to 2025 according to IRDAI guidelines.
Reliance Health Gain Plan:
Star Medi Classic Plan:
Disease-specific conditions and applicability of a policy wording document should be checked by reading carefully.
Take an example of Mr. and Mrs. Sharma of Bangalore 2025. They have a 7-year-old daughter. In 2020, they chose Reliance Health Gain Plan. In 2024, Mrs. Sharma had to be hospitalised in a non-emergency situation. The policy reimbursed more than [?]7 lakh of the bill, and also offered wellness consultations and yearly checkup credits. They liked the online support and health management.
Their neighbour Mr. Rao who is 62 years old chose the Star Medi Classic Plan because he appreciated no hassle hospitalisation, liked the extensive cashless network and did not want a limit on the number of rooms he can rent to enjoy the comfort in the recovery process.
Both process cashless insurance claims, although Star Health usually has more tie-ups in smaller towns within India. Never buy a hospital list of your city without first checking it out online.
Did you know? The presence of additional cashless hospitals in your area will eliminate out-of-pocket bills, and your family emergency will be treated immediately.
Every health insurance plan has some standard exclusions. Generally, by 2025 both will not cover the following:
This can be altered by some add-ons, which is why inclusions should be read in your case.
The feature | Reliance Health Gain | Star Medi Classic. |
---|---|---|
Sum Insured Limit | [?]3 lakh - [?]1 crore | [?]1.5 lakh - [?]15 lakh |
Annual Health Checkup | Yes, to all over 18 | Yes, to all over 18 with sum insured of [?]5 lakh. |
Cover Restoration | 100% | 100% (after one year only) |
Room rent limit | Single Pvt AC | No limit to sum insured. |
Network Hospitals | 9000+ | 14,000+ |
Day Care Procedures | 600+ | 405+ |
AYUSH Coverage | Yes | Yes |
Maternity Coverage | No variants chosen. | |
Wellness Programs | Yes | Minimal |
Age of entry | 3 months - 65 years | 5 months - 65 years |
No Claim Bonus | Up to 100 per cent. | 25 per cent. per annum, to 100 per cent. |
Domiciliary Hospitalisation | Limited | Yes. |
OPD & Counselling cover | In some plans only | Not available. |
The insurance companies both have claim ratios more than 90 percent in 2023 and will continue to have that in 2025. Star health is a little ahead in smaller claims but both have digital claim insurance and customer call centers with 24 x 7 service.
In India, online purchasing of health insurance has become the best way to do it. You can rely on online market places to:
Digital platforms have now been used in managing policy documents, e-cards and renewals.
Another question is also asked by people: Should one go with a super top up on these plans? Yes, to be on a safer side, you should purchase a super topup plan as a supplement to your basic cover when you are insured against advanced illnesses.
Ask yourself these:
A final choice always should be made with regard to family age, medical history, future needs, and lifestyle.
Q1. What is the most appropriate plan with the elderly?
Both are senior entry plans but Star Medi Classic might be simpler because of its broader network and the ease of filing claims.
Q2. Am I allowed to add to myself the sum insured in a few years?
Yes, and both permit of that at renewal, though inquire of increased sum whether waited upon.
Q3. What is the OPD and wellness plan?
Reliance Health Gain is an OPD cover with selected variants and wellness products.
Q4. Is there a limit on room rent?
There is no limit up to the sum insured on Star Medi Classic, whereas on Reliance it is limited to single private AC room.
Q5. Which pays maternity?
Reliance Health Gain includes maternity (on some plans). Star Medi Classic does not.
Q6. Are the two plans tax advantaged?
Yes, they both provide the deduction of Section 80D under the income tax act.
Q7. How about coverage of pre-existing disease?
They both have waiting period of three years prior to these cover.
Q8. What would be the way to determine whether my hospital is in their network?
Check the current lists of empanelled hospitals on the web site of the insurer or an insurance marketplace.
Q9. Do you have wellness programs?
Reliance Health Gain has digital wellness, steps counters, and rewards. There are only limited preventive health checkups in Star Medi Classic.
Q10. Is it possible that I could port out of one plan to another?
Yes, according to IRDAI, you are allowed to port health insurance plans according to policy conditions and waiting period.
The optimal plan will be based on the needs of your family, future healthcare trends, and the affordability of premiums. Read policy documents always, employ a skilled advisor and use computer tools to do fair comparisons.
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Written by Prem Anand, a content writer with over 10+ years of experience in the Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance sectors.
Prem Anand is a seasoned content writer with over 10+ years of experience in the Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance sectors. He has a strong command of industry-specific language and compliance regulations. He specializes in writing insightful blog posts, detailed articles, and content that educates and engages the Indian audience.
The content is prepared by thoroughly researching multiple trustworthy sources such as official websites, financial portals, customer reviews, policy documents and IRDAI guidelines. The goal is to bring accurate and reader-friendly insights.
This content is created to help readers make informed decisions. It aims to simplify complex insurance and finance topics so that you can understand your options clearly and take the right steps with confidence. Every article is written keeping transparency, clarity, and trust in mind.
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