Do Health Insurance Plans Cover Rare Diseases?

Medical practitioners are still trying to figure out the human body. Our bodies have the ability to resist harsh conditions as well as create a myriad of illnesses. While some diseases, such as diabetes, are common among people, a large number of people also develop unusual diseases. You might be wondering what uncommon diseases are and if these are protected by Indian health insurance.
In the case of a medical emergency, health insurance serves as a financial safety net. Any medical expenditures you might suffer as a consequence of an accident, sickness, or injury will be covered by health insurance. It's essentially a contract of both you and your health insurance company. It implies that in return for a premium (premium), the insurer would reimburse all or most of your medical expenses. To know more health insurance coverage for rare diseases, read on.

About Rare Diseases

Illnesses that affect just a tiny fraction of the population are known as rare diseases. A rare disease is defined as one that affects one or fewer persons per 1000 people, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). In India, however, uncommon illnesses are defined as those that affect fewer than one person in every 2500.
About 72 percent of uncommon diseases are hereditary, meaning they can affect a person starting in childhood. As a result, uncommon diseases are life-threatening, and those who suffer from them must live with them for the rest of their lives. Approximately 96 million individuals in India, or nearly one-fifth of the population, suffer from a rare disease.

What Is The Treatment For Rare Diseases?

The majority of uncommon illnesses do not have a treatment. Approximately 95% of uncommon illnesses have no authorised therapy. Not only is the treatment of such diseases delayed, but the diagnosis of these kinds of disorders is also delayed, causing the patient to suffer more. Even if a therapy for a rare condition exists, it is prohibitively expensive. The therapy of Gaucher Disease, for example, might easily exceed Rs 40 lakh. Similarly, Pompe therapy might set you back more often than Rs 35 lakh.
Furthermore, uncommon disorders are often always persistent. As a result, their therapy will last a long time, costing you a lot of money. Furthermore, patients may be needed to undergo routine diagnostic tests and be prescribed drugs for an extended period of time. Medicines for the therapy of rare diseases are extremely expensive since they are produced by a small number of pharmaceutical companies throughout the world. This is why uncommon disorders are alluded to as 'orphan diseases,' and the treatments used to treat them are known as 'orphan drugs.'

Are Rare Diseases Covered Under Health Insurance?

Yes. In India, some health insurance policies cover the expense of treating a rare sickness. You will be able to claim treatment costs under your health insurance coverage regardless of whether a rare condition is inherited or not. The policy will cover hospitalisation, surgeries, post-hospitalization consultations and diagnostic testing, day care treatments, and other medical expenditures. You may choose health insurance for uncommon illnesses with a protection value of up to Rs 6 crore, depending on your budget.
In India, however, not all uncommon diseases may be covered by health insurance coverage. Furthermore, not all health plans give the same coverage. As a result, before purchasing a health insurance coverage, you should examine the list of uncommon diseases covered. Also, choose a health plan that would cover your medical bills sufficiently in the event you are born with a rare condition.

Endnotes

Rare diseases are less common than common diseases, yet they can be fatal. Because rare illness treatments are costly and long-term, purchasing health insurance is the only way to keep your money from running out. However, be sure to shop around for health insurance on the internet to discover the best offer that matches your budget.

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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.