MAM
TV media scrips drop marginally; Sensex crosses 3,900 mark
MUMBAI: In a truncated week comprising only four trading sessions, the 30-share Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) sensitive index surged 37.44 points or 0.9 per cent (as compared to 3,883.76 points last week) to settle at 3,921.20 points. The S&P CNX Nifty index gained 25.10 points or two per cent to settle at 1,247.75 (as compared to 1,222.65) registering a 29-month closing high.
The listed television industry scrips registered marginal drops but were fairly stable when compared to their last week levels.
On the BSE, Zee Telefilms Ltd, the only media company on the 30-scrip BSE sensex, opened the day (14 August) at Rs 119.60; fell by 1.59 per cent and closed at Rs 117.70 – as compared to Rs 115.20 on 9 August 2003. The volume of shares traded was around 882,060 shares.
On the NSE, the scrip opened at Rs 120.20; and closed at the previous day’s close of Rs 117.65 (as compared to Rs 115.40 on 9 August 2003). The Zee Telefilms counter registered a volume of around 1.99 million shares.
Balaji Telefilms opened the day (14 August) at Rs 72.35; dropped 0.48 per cent and was last traded at Rs 72 (as compared to Rs 75.35 on 9 August). The volume of shares traded on the BSE was around 80,330 shares.
On the NSE, the scrip opened at Rs 70.05; and ended the day at Rs 71.95 as compared to Rs 75.35 on 9 August 2003. The counter registered a volume of around 340,818 shares.
Television Eighteen India opened the day (14 August) at Rs 115.25; dropped 0.26 per cent and was last traded at Rs 114.95 as compared to Rs 113.80 on 9 August. The volume of shares traded on the BSE was around 196,765 shares.
According to the new restructuring that has announced, CNBC AP will hold a 10 per cent strategic stake in TV18’s unlisted channel broadcast subsidiary. TV18 now owns almost 90 per cent stake in CNBC-TV18, India’s premier business television service. The stake increase (from the earlier 49 per cent) will be virtually cash neutral for TV18.
On the NSE, the scrip opened at Rs 119.90; and closed at the previous day’s close of Rs 115.25 as compared to Rs 113.85 on 9 August 2003. The counter registered a volume of around 455,423 shares.
Sri Adhikari Brothers (SABTNL) opened the day (14 August) at Rs 67.70; dropped 0.96 per cent and ended at Rs 67.05 (as compared to Rs 68 on 9 August). The volume of shares traded on the BSE was around 24,919 shares. On the NSE, the scrip opened at Rs 68; and closed at Rs 66.65 as compared to Rs 67.75 on 9 August 2003. The counter registered a volume of around 40,573 shares.
Creative Eye opened the day (14 August) at Rs 15.07; dropped 1.86 per cent and was last traded at Rs 14.79 as compared to Rs 14.95 on 9 August. On the NSE, the scrip opened at Rs 14.95; and closed at Rs 14.60 as compared to Rs 14.70 on 9 August 2003.
Cinevistaas opened the day (14 August) at Rs 28.75; dropped 1.74 per cent and closed at Rs 28.25 as compared to Rs 29.25 on 9 August. On the NSE, the scrip opened at Rs 29; and closed at Rs 28.95 as compared to Rs 29.70 on 9 August 2003.
ETC Networks opened the day (14 August) at Rs 53.40; dropped 1.22 per cent and closed at Rs 52.75 as compared to Rs 29.25 on 9 August. The volume of shares traded was 27,766. On the NSE, the scrip opened at Rs 52.60; and closed at Rs 52. The volume of shares traded was 32,596.
Reports indicate that old economy stocks continue to be the focus of the market as a good monsoon, the strong export growth and a recovery in manufacturing have raised expectations of a rebound in GDP (Gross Domestic Product) growth this year. There is optimism that the BSE Sensex might cross the 4,000 mark.
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.
