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DHFL Pramerica Life Insurance announces the opening of Application Process for the 9th Annual ‘Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards’
MUMBAI: The search for school students who have made a positive difference to society through volunteer community service is now open. DHFL Pramerica Life Insurance Company Limited has announced the opening of the application process for the 2019 edition of Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards (SOCA) programme in India.
SOCA is an extension of ‘The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards,’ the largest youth recognition programme in the United States, conducted by Prudential Financial, Inc. (PFI) for last 23 years. The programme identifies and recognizes school students for their remarkable volunteer community service. The gala award ceremony will be held at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C.
Introduced in India in 2010, Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards (SOCA) is an extension of ‘The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, USA. Over the last 8 years more than 30,000 students have participated in this initiative by sending in their applications and of them, around 700 students have been recognized for their volunteer service efforts.
Announcing the launch of the 2019 'Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards' programme in India, Mr. Anoop Pabby, Managing Director & CEO, DHFL Pramerica Insurance Co. Ltd. said, “The Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards is an annual nationwide search to identify and recognize school students whose volunteer community service have made a difference to the society. I am happy to inform that the application window for the individual and group category for students in classes VI-XII is now open. By nominating yourself you will get a chance to represent India in Washington DC during the grand finale. So if you have made a difference to the society, here is the chance to narrate your story to the world because your change can make a change in the society.”
Olympic medalist and former World No.1 badminton player Saina Nehwal is the programme ambassador for SOCA. Saina has been associated with SOCA for last two years and her involvement has inspired students to become the change agents for a better tomorrow.
“Saina Nehwal continues to be our programme Ambassador for this year. She is an inspiration for youngsters, who view her as a perfect role model for achieving laurels for the nation through her perseverance and athletic spirit. Her presence will help in motivating the students further to participate in SOCA. ” added Mr. Pabby
Talking about her role as the 2019 SOCA Programme Ambassador, Ms. Saina Nehwal said, “It is a great honour for me to be associated with the Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards since 2016. I am overwhelmed to see such great projects by school children who in their capacities are trying their best to create positive change in society. I believe that every child has the potential to be a change agent. All they need is motivation and a push in the right direction. Despite their packed academic schedules, these young children have shown a high degree of intelligence, kindness, generosity, and above all the indomitable selfless spirit by contributing towards their respective communities.”
The top two winners in the individual category will receive medallions, a cash prize of Rs 50,000/- each and a return trip to Washington DC in May 2019. In the group category too, the participants of the winning team will receive medallions and a cash prize of Rs. 50,000/- to be shared amongst them. All participating schools will receive Certificates of Participation and the school principals of the Individual and Group category runner ups will receive Certificates of Merit for their schools.
In the year 2018, Banupriya S., a class VIII student of P.U.M. School (SSA), Kalachery West, Thiruvarur, Tamil Nadu and Ishita Mangla, a class XI student of Delhi Public School, R.K Puram, New Delhi were recognised as the winners in the Individual Category.
The application forms for SOCA can be filled online or downloaded from www.spiritofcommunityindia.com. The last date of submission of the completed and certified applications is December 31, 2018.
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.
