Does Health Insurance in India Cover Diabetes?
Diabetes is a long-term metabolic disorder that incurs a lot of medical expenses and is also associated with life-threatening complications. It is very difficult for diabetic people in India to find health insurance. This is because the health insurance companies are very sure that the patient will outlive the policy term. Also, the cost of diabetes treatment, including medicines and dialysis can be more. Most health insurance providers categorize the diabetes disease under the high-risk category and are generalized as a pre-existing ailment.
Health Insurance Policies that Cover Diabetes in India:
A very few health insurance policies cover diabetes in India but the premiums for these policies are generally higher than the regular insurance policy. The insurance policies that cover diabetes in India are,
|
S No |
Name of the Policy |
Entry age Limit |
Sum Assured |
Features of the policy about Diabetes |
|
1. |
Care Freedom from Care Health Insurance |
Minimum 18 years and no maximum age limit |
Rs. 5 Lakh maximum |
Applicable for individuals with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Individual and floater plans available |
|
2. |
Varistha Mediclaim from National Health Insurance |
60 to 80 years old |
Rs. 2 Lakh maximum |
Applicable for those with type 2 diabetes and hypertension. People with pre-existing diabetes will also be covered. |
|
4. |
Diabetes Care from ICICI Prudential |
25 to 60 years |
The policy is available with sum insured options of Rs. 3,5 and 10 Lakh |
10% of the base sum assured is offered as diabetes enhanced benefit rider. Premiums will be reduced if the policyholder can keep diabetes under control. |
|
5. |
Diabetes Safe Plan from Star Health Insurance |
The age limit is 18 to 65 years |
From Rs. 3 -10 Lakh |
The plan is applicable for those with pre-existing diabetes and at risk for diabetes. |
|
6. |
HDFC Ergo Energy Health Insurance Plan |
18 to 65 years |
Rs. 2 – 10 Lakh |
Covers type-2 diabetes and covers all hospitalization expenses of diabetes and hypertension.; |
Health Insurance for Diabetes – Things You Need to Know:
Diabetes specific health insurance plans are expensive and a policyholder choosing a diabetes safe plan has to pay at least 89% more than the regular policy. Some important points that health insurance seekers should keep in mind are:
- Choose health insurance plans that offer incentives and discounts for maintaining good health, even though one suffers from diabetes.
- Policy seekers can choose plans with restoration benefits.
- Regular health insurance plans have a 2-4 years waiting period to cover diabetes and thus, the best way to choose diabetes-specific policies at higher premium amounts.
- The insurance companies that cover diabetes, extend their cover for type 2 diabetes and not for type 1, as the onset and progress of the disease are faster.
Bottom Line
The premiums of diabetic specific health insurance policies are higher than regular insurance policies. But the insurance companies offer discounts of premiums for those who follow a healthy life and submit a satisfactory health record.
Disclaimer: This article is issued in the general public interest and meant for general information purposes only. Readers are advised not to rely on the contents of the article as conclusive in nature and should research further or consult an expert in this regard.
