MAM
IAMAI to focus on emergence of mobile marketing in India
MUMBAI: The internet population in India is growing at a healthy rate. With 400 million internet users in India, the medium has provided a huge canvass for marketers to reach out to their audience. But, what is witnessing an exponential growth is the mobile marketing.
The growth of consumer internet companies has also given an impetus to growth in internet users. If India is on the brink of attaining the magic figure of Rs 1 lakh crore in digital commerce, the availability of smart phones at cheaper rates coupled with low internet mobile tariffs have ensured that internet is within the reach of all.
With a huge population of young consumers hooked to the internet, the marketing and advertising fraternity has taken cognisance of the power digital advertising. In 2014, the market size of digital advertising was Rs 2,750 crore and if we are to take 30 per cent y-o-y growth, it will be over Rs 3,500 crore. Though it is still at a nascent stage, planners have woken up to the embrace the power of the digital medium.
IAMAI president Subho Ray says, “If the growth of digital commerce is anything to go by, planners will certainly spend more time understanding how to tap the hidden potential of the digital world. The phenomenon of online shopping is no longer restricted in the urban areas. If you look closely, internet users in rural India is growing faster than in urban India. The coming of age of payment banks and mobile wallets will encourage consumers to transact online. The point is, newspapers might not reach every village, but there is mobile connectivity in almost entire India and people out there are watching the world in their handheld device. It is just a matter of time that most brands will give a huge push for digital marketing.”
The Mobile Marketing Summit, to be held in Bengaluru on 18 December, 2015, will have industry doyens taking a closer look at the emergence of mobile marketing in India.
Acer CMO S Rajendran adds, “The Mobile Marketing Summit event always provides fascinating insights into the way mobile technology is bringing positive changes to how consumers behave and conduct their lives across all facets of their lives. This summit helps bring audiences one step closer to ideas and developments that are breaking new ground in the market. Some recent trends are quite revealing about the pace of change in this space: the adoption rate of mobile is twice that of the internet, three times that of social media, and ten times faster than PCs. Today mobile is becoming not only the new digital hub but also the bridge to the physical world. That is the reason why mobile will be transformative to entire businesses.”
Echoing Rajendran’s sentiments, Quikr CMO Vineet Sehgal echoes says, “80 per cent of our traffic comes from mobile and in that context it’s pretty clear that mobile marketing is no longer an experimental format but rather a crucial part of the mix for online businesses such as ours. Technological advances have made it possible for consumer touch-points via mobile to be personalized, location-based and hence extremely relevant which brings marketers immense opportunity.”
The Mobile Marketing Summit 2015 will have sessions like State of Mobile Marketing In India; Mobile First and Brand Marketing; Engaging with multi-screen users: Every advertisers’ challenge; How Brands are considering promotions through Mobile Medium; etc.
Speaking about multi screen users, Titan Company eCommerce head Alokedeep Singh added, “In a multi-screen world, mobile is becoming the primary/first screen for consumers to search, experience and shop online. In coming times, not only targeting users with relevant ads, push notifications etc, newer technologies like ibeacons, wearables will create endless opportunities for brands, marketeers.”
If we think about how many times you visited a paediatrician during the year for your child’s fever, or went to the pharmacy for cough syrup, antacids, or prescription cream; how many physiotherapy appointments your spouse had throughout the year, or how many routine diabetes check-up appointments you had; most families would say that the ongoing healthcare cost to their family isn’t necessarily the sudden expense of a grown adult being admitted to the hospital, but rather the ongoing and regular expenses of running the household. Because of this, the search for the best family health insurance plans in India have evolved to include OPD covering as a significant factor in their decision making process.
As someone who has reviewed countless policies for families, I’ve seen a clear shift. Families are no longer satisfied with a plan that only activates during a hospital crisis. They want a partner for everyday wellness, and that’s what modern, comprehensive Health Plans for Family aim to be.
OPD Cover: The Game-Changer in Family Health Insurance
OPD, or Outpatient Department, cover handles expenses incurred outside of a hospital admission. This includes:
- Doctor consultation fees (General Physicians and Specialists)
- Diagnostic tests (blood work, X-rays, MRIs)
- Pharmacy bills (medicines prescribed)
- Minor procedures (dressing, injections)
Without OPD coverage, all these costs come directly from your monthly budget. A comprehensive Health Insurance with OPD Cover absorbs these shocks, transforming your policy from a seldom-used safety net into an active, year-round health management tool. For a family with children or aging parents, this isn’t a luxury; it’s a practical necessity.
Identifying the Best Family Health Insurance Plans In India with OPD
Not all OPD covers are created equal. When comparing Health Plans for Family, you must dig into the specifics. Here’s what separates the good from the truly valuable:
Integrated vs. Add-on Cover: Some of the Best Family Health Insurance Plans In India bundle OPD within the base plan (e.g., HDFC Ergo’s Optima Restore). Others offer it as a paid add-on rider. Integrated covers are often more seamless, but add-ons allow you to customize. Compare the sub-limits and overall value.
Realistic Sub-Limits: OPD coverage always has limits. Look for plans that offer a dedicated annual OPD sum insured (e.g., ₹10,000-₹25,000 per family) rather than a tiny per-consultation limit. This gives you flexibility, you can use it for a few major diagnostics instead of just small consultations.
Cashless OPD Network: The true convenience of health insurance with OPD cover is cashless access. Leading insurers have tied up with pharmacy chains, diagnostic centers, and clinic networks. You can walk in, show your card, and walk out without paying upfront. Check the insurer’s network partners in your locality.
Simplified Claims Process: For reimbursements outside the cashless network, the process should be digital and straightforward—via an app with document upload. Cumbersome OPD claim processes defeat the very purpose.
Key Players and What to Look For
Several insurers have pioneered strong family floater plans with OPD benefits. While new products emerge, plans like HDFC Ergo’s Optima Restore, ICICI Lombard’s Health Advantage Plus, and Niva Bupa’s ReAssure 2.0 have been notable for their structured OPD components. Star Health’s Family Health Optima also offers a comprehensive package.
However, the plan name is less important than its architecture. Your checklist for the Best Family Health Insurance Plans In India with OPD should verify:
Adequate In-patient Sum Insured: This is your core cover. Don’t compromise this for OPD. Start with at least ₹15-20 Lakh for a family of four.
Restoration Benefit: Crucial for families. It restores your main sum insured if exhausted, often including the OPD cover.
No Claim Bonus (NCB): Your reward for a healthy year should protect your OPD benefit too, often by increasing your overall sum insured.
Preventive Health Check-ups: A sign of a wellness-oriented insurer. Many top Health Plans for Family include free annual check-ups, complementing the OPD benefit.
Making the Smart Choice for Your Family
Choosing the right plan requires a simple audit. Tally your family’s average annual spend on doctor visits, tests, and medicines. You’ll likely find it’s a significant amount. Then, compare the premium of a comprehensive Health Insurance with OPD Cover against a basic plan plus your out-of-pocket OPD expenditure. The difference is often negligible, but the value is monumental.
For families, the Best Family Health Insurance Plans In India will be those that acknowledge the fact that the “real” journey for your family’s health occurs daily and not just during emergencies. By choosing a Family Health Insurance plan with meaningful OPD coverage, you will not only be insuring against your family getting sick, but also investing in your family’s ability to see their doctors or other healthcare providers on a more frequent basis for non-emergency issues and providing your family with a significant degree of peace of mind with regards to their financial and physical well-being. The shift away from reactive insurance to proactive insurance by families is now essential; it has become a necessity for the modern family that is living with intention.
