​Health has become a priority for most people these days. While many of us are spending time and money on eating healthy and staying fit, we do not always know what is going on inside our bodies.

To know whether or not your health is up to the mark, it is crucial that you get your body checked annually. The best way to do so is by opting for a preventive health checkup, which will let you know whether or not you are healthy.

Read on to learn more about this health checkup option and how it can benefit you in the long run.

Understanding Preventive Health Checkup

While today, most of us are aware of our sedentary lifestyle and are dedicating time to exercise and eating nutritious food, our health is still at risk of being compromised by diseases. With the help of a Preventive Checkup, it is possible to first recognise and then minimise this risk at its budding stage.

It is shown through research that with the help of preventive checkups, it is possible to lower the financial load associated with healthcare. This is because potential health issues are detected in their early stages through such examination, which consequently prevents such diseases from becoming critical and requiring costly treatments.

This makes preventive health checkups the key to living a healthy life. Also, because the cost of preventive checkups is reasonable, there should be no reason for you not to invest in this medical examination, which can save you money and health in future.

Who Should Opt for a Preventive  Health Checkup?

Ideally, anyone who is 30 years old and above should take this health examination. It is usually used for screening and detecting a whole range of lifestyle-related illnesses, including:

• Type-2 Diabetes

• Heart disease

• Respiratory illnesses

• Atherosclerosis

• Obesity 

• Stroke

High stress levels, coupled with unhealthy eating habits and the absence of physical activities, are the main reasons why individuals suffer from lifestyle diseases. It gets even worse as a few of these diseases do not show symptoms, which is why they are referred to as “silent killers”.

With the help of preventive health checkups, you can screen these illnesses in time. For example, raised blood sugar level in the body can be detected through annual foot and eye examinations. This is because increased sugar levels in the body can cause foot ulcers and retinopathy.

A crucial reason to choose preventive health checkups is the detection of cancer in its early stages. There are several cancer types that come without symptoms, and delays in diagnosis can cost individuals their lives. Hence, individuals who possess cancer-developing risk can recover better if they opt for regular preventive health checkups.

Preventive Health Checkup Packages

There are many factors that decide the packages for preventive health checkups. However, the best preventive health checkup packages are based on the age factor. These are some common medical examinations that you should opt for based on your age:

For those between 20 years and 30 years of age -

• Mammogram (for women)

• Cancer screening

• Blood pressure levels

• Glucose levels

• BMI screening

• Dental clean-ups and checkups

• Pap smear test (for women)

• STD test (for sexually active individuals)

• For those who are 40 years old and above -

• Type-2 diabetes risk analysis

•  Eye checkup

• Cardiovascular disease risk analysis

• Mammogram (for women)

• PSA test (for men)

  For individuals who age between 50-60 years -

• Audiometry test (to test your hearing power)

• Vision testing and eye exam

• Bowel cancer test

• Osteoporosis

Apart from this, insurers provide full-body checkups including checking the functioning of your kidney, heart, liver, digestive system and immune system.

Factors to Consider Before Opting for Preventive Health Checkup Package

It is only logical that early illness detection can help treat the illness in an inexpensive way. Therefore, when opting for a preventive health checkup package, make sure that:

• It facilitates early diagnosis of life-threatening illnesses.

• It gives you the option of routine health checkups.

• It provides options for screenings and vaccinations.

• It ensures that you get medically advanced preventive treatments.

Benefits of Opting for Preventive Health Checkup​

The reason why full body checkup is important is because it helps in understanding your health condition through proper medical examination. Here are some important advantages of opting for preventive health checkups:

​​Timely Health Assessment and Precaution

The most basic advantage of this facility is that you get to know whether or not a health issue is knocking at your door. Accordingly, you can take necessary precautions by making modifications to your eating habits and lifestyle. 

Early Treatment Option

This examination paves way for starting treatment at the earliest stages of disease detection. Medical professionals can work on treating the illness more efficiently when it is diagnosed in its early stages. Generally, complications start to arise when a disease is diagnosed in its later stages, making it tough to treat the illness.

Low Medical Expense

As you keep a check on your overall health, you protect yourself from getting entangled in messy and expensive medical treatments. If any medical issue is detected, it can be treated easily, without you going through the trouble of losing your sleep over the expenses involved in getting treatment when the disease becomes more complicated.

Income Tax Return Deduction

Opting for preventive health check-up makes you eligible for  claiming deductions for the payments you make towards this health checkup (which extends to you and your family members).

What Does Preventive Health Checkup Tax Deduction Mean?

The Income Tax Act (1961) makes provision for tax benefits under preventive health checkup 80D, in which a deduction of (up to) ₹5000 is made available to you when filing your tax returns under Section 80D.

This provision is made to encourage individuals and their families to give priority to their overall health by making this health checkup more affordable and accessible. This health checkup under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act, 1961, involves annual health checkups, lifestyle modifications, screenings and vaccinations.

Health Insurance for Preventive Health Checkup

While there are healthcare facilities, diagnostic laboratories and other such sources that offer you preventive health checkup packages, it is a health insurance policy that can offer you financial relief from expenses related to medical treatments.

The rising expenses associated with healthcare are a reason for worry for many of us. But with our Reliance General health insurance plan to safeguard you, you can get proper treatment for loved ones and yourself. Not only do you save on your taxes, but you can also ensure that if there is a medical emergency, you can take the help of healthcare providers without any hesitation.

We aim to help you get access to proper medical care without having to sweat over the financial aspect of hospitalisation and treatment. Along with a preventive health checkup facility, we also offer a critical illness insurance option to help you overcome the struggle associated with the cost of treatment when someone you love is critically ill. Know more about the benefits of this insurance policy and other health-related insurance policies by taking a tour of our official website.

Conclusion

To conclude, it would be appropriate to say that preventive health checkup plays a crucial role in assisting you with maintaining your overall health, and in preventing the beginning of potential disorders and diseases. With regular tests and screenings, you can better identify underlying health conditions as soon as they begin.

This allows you to intervene and manage the illness in a timely manner. Moreover, this facility saves you from mental harassment and expensive treatments that can attack you in the near future when the disease gets out of control.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it required to provide proof to claim deductions under Section 80D for preventive health checkups?

Yes, you need to provide proof to claim tax deductions under this Section for this facility. You have to provide bills and receipts as proof of the amount you spent on preventive health checkups for you and your family members. Also, the checkup must take place at only a registered diagnostic centre or by a registered medical practitioner.

When is the right time to begin with preventive health checkups?

An annual checkup ensures that your body functions with full efficiency and can perform day-to-day tasks with ease. So, you can opt for this checkup when you reach teenagehood or early youth. It will help evaluate your current health and whether or not you require medical attention for any discomfort or health issue.

What are the measures to follow before a preventive health checkup?

For maximum benefit, you must follow these guidelines:

Never be in a hurry for a preventive health checkup. Take at least one month to prepare yourself for this checkup.

• Read your previous medical records thoroughly.

• To get a better understanding of your health condition and required treatment, you must record the symptoms that have been showing up since the last time you opted for this checkup.

• Check for hereditary diseases in your family.