Is Asthma Covered Under Health Insurance? and Its Importance

Asthma is the most common chronic inflammatory disease among people from all across the globe. In asthma, the airways of the lungs become narrow, get swollen, and produce extra mucus. While asthma may occur due to hereditary reasons for some, it may occur due to different environmental factors for many. The thing with asthma to keep in mind is that it results in difficulty in breathing, and triggers coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.

Cost of Treating Asthma in India

While the diagnosis of asthma may be done through a physical exam or lung function tests, its treatment ways are myriad. Right from medication to bronchial thermoplasty, there are various ways in which one can treat asthma. Needless to say, the cost of treating asthma in India varies between hundreds to thousands. For instance, while an inhaled corticosteroid may cost you about a hundred rupees, short-acting beta-agonists may cost around Rs. 650 up to Rs. 4,000. Symptom controllers may cost a few thousand for about 12-15 capsules. Add to it the cost of check-ups and consultations, even tests. Don’t forget, the bill may even reach up to a few lakhs if one has to go for bronchial thermoplasty, in case all treatment methods fail to be effective.

Why Do You Need Health Insurance for Asthma?

Health insurance for asthma is a boon. How? Well, because when you have a health insurance policy by your side that helps you cope with asthma in more than one way, you are left with nothing to worry about.

Below mentioned are a few reasons that make health insurance a must for asthma patients:

1. High Treatment Costs

An asthma patient would very well understand how expensive it is to avail the best possible treatment for the disease. Especially, when the healthcare costs are increasing every day, it becomes extremely difficult for one to prevent their savings from going down the drain in bearing the treatment costs. On the contrary, when an asthma patient has health insurance in support, they are free from spending from their pocket and free to spend the saved money for a better purpose.

2. Instant Hospitalization

Asthma patients have a high risk of attacks. It is better to have a health insurance policy in support so that in case of the need for an urgent hospitalization, the patient can be provided the best possible medical aid and not left suffocating. A serious situation like an asthma attack demands quick help which is easy with a health insurance policy because then, one doesn’t have to wait to get all the hospital formalities and other requirements complete in the first place. Also, paying heavy medical bills in such a case is not required.

3. No Test Cost

There are times when during an urgent hospitalization, certain tests are necessary to be performed. Bearing the cost of medical tests like chest X-rays, spirometry, and others in addition to the cost of hospitalization can lay heavy on one’s pocket. A health insurance policy, in such a critical situation, can save one from a financial crisis.

4. Pollution & Inactive Lifestyle

Needless to say, the pollution levels in today’s time are sky-high. On top of the pollution level, the inactive lifestyle of an individual, especially when they are an asthma patient makes the situation worse. A health insurance policy in such a case helps asthma patients stay away from the worries of enhanced bills due to increased risks.

Factors to Consider While Buying Health Insurance for Asthma

Aspects to take note of before buying health insurance for an asthma patient include:

• Coverage benefits
• Sum insured amount
• Availability of lifelong renewability feature
• Health insurance claim settlement ratio of the company
• Policy exclusions

Please note: If you have asthma while buying a health insurance policy for asthma, it would be important to inform your health insurance company about your disease.

Final Words

Buying health insurance for asthma will be one of the best decisions for you to make if you fear high costs related to the treatment of the disease. Also, if you don’t want finances to become a bigger cause of stress than the diseases during an emergency.

Also Read:

Foods That Can Alleviate Asthma

Health Insurance Plans for Asthma Patients

Disclaimer: This article is issued in the general public interest and is meant for general information purposes only. Readers are advised not to rely on the contents of the article as conclusive and should research further or consult an expert in this regard.