There is a famous saying "From the bitterness of disease man learns the sweetness of health". Investing in your health is a long term investment that bears fruit later in life.
The Government realizes this and to encourage you to take up a health plan gives you tax benefits.

What is Section 80 D of the income tax act?

You have the Section 80 D of the income tax act where you get a deduction of INR 25,000 a year on the health insurance premium you pay for a health plan for yourself and your family if you are under 60 years of age.
In case of premium for a health plan of a senior citizen (above 60 years of age) the deduction allowed shall be up to INR 30000 a year.
Income tax slabs and rates for the Union Budget 2015-16 continue to remain the same as last year.

Let us take a look at the income tax slabs for Individual Tax Payers up to the age of 60 years (Male/Female) in the Union Budget 2015-16
 

Annual Income (INR)	Tax Rate
0 -  2,50,000	Nil
2,50,001-5,00,000	10 %
5,00,001-10,00,000	20 %
Above 10,00,000	30 %

Mr Diwakar 35 years of age , married and working in an IT firm earns INR 8 Lakhs a year.

He invests INR 1 Lakh a year in an ELSS scheme and INR 1 Lakh a year in a PPF. He avails a deduction of only INR 1.5 Lakhs under Section 80 C of the income tax act even after investing INR 2 Lakhs in tax saving instruments.

Mr Diwakar has availed a family floater health plan for himself and his family and avails a deduction of INR 25000 a year on the premium he pays under Section 80 D of the income tax act.

Mr Diwakar also takes a health plan for his Dad and avails a deduction of INR 30,000 a year on the premium he pays under Section 80 D of the income tax act.
 

Heads	Amount
Gross taxable salary	INR 8,00,000
Less : Investment in ELSS + Investment in PPF up to INR 1.5 Lakhs under Section 80 C	INR 1,50,000
Less : Tax deductions under Section 80 D for a family floater health plan for spouse and family (INR 25,000) + Health insurance plan for father who is a senior citizen.(INR 30,000)	INR 55,000
Total  Taxable Income	INR 5,95,000

Mr Diwakar’s income tax liability is calculated as per the income tax slabs of the Union Budget 2015-16

Heads	% of income Tax	Income Tax
Up to INR 2,50,000	Nil	Nil
INR 2,50,001– INR 500,000 Income tax is paid on INR 2.5 Lakhs. (INR 5,00,000 – INR 2,50,000)	10%	INR 25,000 (A)
INR 5,00,001– INR 5,95,000 Income tax is paid on INR 95,000 INR 5,95,000– INR 5,00,000)	20%	INR 19,000 (B)
Total Tax		INR 44,000
Education cess @ 3%	3% of INR  44,000	INR 1,320
Net Tax Payable		INR 45,320

How does the increase in the exemption limit under Section 80 D help you?

Section 80 D before the Union Budget 2015-16 :

You have the Section 80 D of the income tax act where you used to get a deduction of INR 15000 a year on the health insurance premium you pay for a health plan for yourself and your family if you are under 60 years of age.
In case of premium for a health plan of a senior citizen (above 60 years of age) the amount of deduction was INR 20,000 a year.
 

Heads	Amount
Gross taxable salary	INR 8,00,000
Less : Investment in ELSS + Investment in PPF up to INR 1.5 Lakhs under Section 80 C	INR 1,50,000
Less : Investment in ELSS + Investment in PPF up to INR 1.5 Lakhs under Section 80 C	INR 35,000
Total Taxable Income	INR 6,15,000

Mr Diwakar’s income tax liability is calculated as per the income tax slabs of the Union Budget 2014-15 :

Heads	% of income Tax	Income Tax
Up to INR 2,50,000	Nil	Nil
INR 2,50,001– INR 500,000 Income tax is paid on INR 2.5 Lakhs. (INR 5,00,000 – INR 2,50,000)	10%	INR 25,000 (A)
INR 5,00,001– INR 6,15,000 Income tax is paid on INR 1,15,000 (INR 6,15,000– INR 5,00,000)	20%	INR 23,000 (B)
Total Tax	3% of INR 48,000	INR 48,000
Education cess @ 3%		INR 1,440
Net Tax Payable		INR 49,440

Diwakar saves INR 49,440 – INR 45,320 = INR 4,120 on paying the health insurance premiums for his family and his dad who is a senior citizen.

Investing in health insurance means you save on your medical bills as well as your taxes.