Insurance coverage for those suffering from lifestyle diseases

K. ARAVIND

India has the highest number of diabetics and heart patients in the world. It is not easy to get a health insurance policy for people with lifestyle diseases. Although group insurance covers people with such ailments, it is difficult to take out an individual policy after being exposed to lifestyle diseases.

Even those undergoing angiography or heart disease prevention treatments are considered heart disease by those health insurance companies. Such persons are denied policy coverage. Even if the policy allows, you will have to pay a higher premium.

At the same time, do not assume that you will not be covered by insurance because of lifestyle diseases. Insurance companies decide whether to allow coverage for lifestyle diseases such as heart disease, depending on the circumstances. If the disease is under control as per the standards of the insurance company, the coverage will be available under the normal policies.
Coverage for diabetes is also available if the blood sugar level is within certain limits. For example, if the average HBA1C score of a person’s blood sugar level for the last two or three months is less than six-seven, coverage will be allowed without any increase in premium.

The criteria for covering patients with such illnesses may vary depending on the health insurance company. So do not hesitate to approach another health insurance company just because you have been denied a policy.

The premium may vary depending on the nature of the coverage the customer receives. For example, if the coverage starts immediately after taking out the policy, the premium will be higher. At the same time, if the coverage starts after a certain period, the increase in premium can be avoided. There are multiple lifestyle diseases but the premium will be higher.

There are policies that provide special coverage for diabetes. Deciding whether to take out such policies or general health insurance policies is based on your health status, the cost of health insurance and the number of people who need coverage. Patients with moderate diabetes may need to take out a regular health insurance policy but have 50 per cent more coverage than a healthy person. People with serious illnesses may want to take out a special coverage policy for diabetes. If you have to stay in hospital during the waiting period of the policy, you will have to pay for the treatment yourself.