Health Insurance Plans for Diabetes Online in India
India has the second highest number of diabetes patients in the world. That’s a frightening fact, isn’t it? The other worrying fact – the number of diabetes-related insurance claims in India has seen an increase of 120% between 2016 and 2019.
Considering that a lot of Indians aren’t aware of dedicated health insurance plans for diabetes, these figures only point to the importance of having a comprehensive health insurance plan for diabetic patients.
Wondering if you must consider investing in a specific health plan for diabetes for your parents and yourself? Let’s look at the pros and cons of health insurance for diabetics and how to go about making that decision.
You’ll learn about:
- What is diabetes?
- Regular health insurance plans with diabetes inclusion
- Dedicated insurance plans for diabetics
- Coverage under diabetes health insurance
- Why should you get a diabetes insurance plan?
- Available diabetes insurance plans
- Frequently asked questions about diabetes insurance
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic disease and can be fatal if left untreated. In this condition, the blood is unable to process the starch and sugars properly. There are two types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2. If not taken care of, diabetes can cause serious health issues related to the kidney, eyesight and heart. Hence, it is essential to control diabetes and treat it continuously. In fact, most doctors call diabetes the Silent Killer among Indians. Health insurance for diabetics will help diabetic patients cover their medical expenses and fight the disease with financial stability.
Regular health insurance plans with diabetes inclusion
Do regular health insurance plans include diabetes? The answer lies in the kind of health plan you choose. Typically, regular health insurance plans exclude diabetes and its related health effects.
Some insurance plans provide the option of covering critical illnesses at an additional premium. Those insurers that do provide coverage for diabetic conditions in regular plans with additional premium, may ask the applicant to undergo medical tests and have a longer waiting period. Besides, the premium may be higher as insurers predict a high possibility of claims.
Pro tip: If you have diabetes, it is better to get information from the insurer about their underwriting benchmarks and then apply for a plan so that you do not waste time and effort or face rejection of the application.
That’s when dedicated diabetes insurance plans are needed and are important.
Dedicated insurance plans for diabetic patients
Many health insurance companies offer dedicated diabetes plans. Buying a specific health insurance plan designed for diabetes patients is an efficient way to overcome the financial stress and burden that comes with the ailment.
Coverage under diabetes insurance
- Doctor’s consultation fees
- Diagnostic tests
- Medical treatment and medicine costs
- Hospitalization, pre and post
- In-patient treatments (ICU, operation theatre)
- Organ donor treatment expenses
- Wellness programs and tests
- Ambulance
Why should you get a diabetes insurance plan?
Diabetes cases are on the rise in India, mostly due to unhealthy lifestyles and food habits. Diabetes is an expensive disease that requires constant care and attention, think regular doctor’s visits, medicines and treating ailments that arise because of diabetes. The probability of hospitalization for diabetes is quite high. This could lead to regular high hospital bills. A solution designed to beat high diabetes costs – diabetes health insurance plans.
Diabetes is on the rise in India
Due to changes in lifestyle, reduced mobility, rich food, and poor healthcare awareness, diabetes cases have seen an upward trend. Reports reveal that the cases are expected to double by 2025. The chances of getting diabetes increases with advancing age. Those in the age group of 40 years to 60 years are more prone to the disease. Moreover, men are more prone to diabetes as compared to women. The trend suggests that insurance for diabetic patients must be considered by each and every diabetic to ensure best treatments without financial distress.
It is an expensive ailment
Diabetes, in most cases, isn’t as life threatening when compared to cancer, cardiac or kidney ailments, but it can be equally expensive. Even though diabetes doesn’t have treatments, the average monthly medical expense of diabetic patients can be quite expensive, anywhere around at least Rs 10,000. Over a longer period, this cost would add up to lakhs. Moreover, diabetes is a disease that can cause other health complications and issues, which may add up to regular healthcare needs and costs. With these towering medical costs which can worsen if not tended to properly, it becomes necessary to buy insurance for diabetic patients.
Here are the expenses that diabetics may incur on a regular basis:
- Doctor’s consultation fees
- Medical costs – expensive medicines, tools such as blood sugar monitors and insulin injections
- Hospitalization – diabetic patients often develop other complications that may lead to hospitalization
This calls for health insurance for diabetics specially designed to cover these hefty expenses.
Insurance can help reduce financial burden
Diabetes is an expensive disease. Think regular doctor visits, diagnostic tests, medicines, insulin expenses, and blood sugar monitor devices. Apart from that, diabetes usually affects other organs of the body such as the heart, kidneys and eyes, and can cause numerous complications, which may require intensive medical treatments and care. Medical insurance for diabetics helps patients cover the expenses caused by the disease and reduce financial burden.
Considering the increase in medical expenses in India and the rise of diabetes in the population, the best way to fight diabetes is: control it and insure it with reliable medical insurance for diabetics. Insurance can bring financial security and allow diabetics to receive the best treatments without worrying about the expenses.
Diabetes insurance plans available in the market
| Plan | Features |
| Apollo Munich Energy |
Sun assured: Rs 2 lakhs to 50 lakhs Pre and post hospitalization coverage Organ donor treatment expenses Wellness program – health coach, diet and fitness plan, regular monitoring Premium discount up to 25% for staying fit Ambulance expenses No waiting period Specific health check ups included 10% no claims bonus Tax benefit up to Rs 30,000 under section 80D |
| Star Health Diabetes Safe |
For diabetic patients between 18 years and 65 years Sum assured: Rs 3 lakh to Rs 10 lakh Two types of plans – Plan A and Plan B Network hospitals over 6000 Hospitalisation Pre hospitalisation up to 30 days prior Post hospitalization up to 60 days after Organ donor treatment Artificial limbs if amputated up to 10% of sum insured |
| Religare Care Freedom Plan |
No pre-policy medical check up Annual health check ups Lifelong renewability Tax benefit under Section 80D 2 years waiting period for pre-existing diabetes Portability Pre and post hospitalization Dialysis expenses Ambulance cost In-patient care – room rent, nursing, ICU, among others 170 day care treatments |
| Aditya Birla Diabetes Insurance |
Different plans available – Activ Enhanced Health Plan and Activ Health Essential Plan Doctor’s consultation fee Diagnostic tests Hospitalization – 60 days pre and 180 days post Second e-opinion No-claim bonus Annual health check ups 100% reload of sum insured 527 daycare procedures |
| HDFC Ergo Energy Health |
Two types of plans – Gold (cost of wellness test included) and Silver (cost of wellness test excluded) Type 2 diabetes Age group – 18 years to 65 years Sum insured: 2 lakhs to 10 lakhs Hospitalization Active wellness plan for health management No-claim bonus No waiting period In-patient expenses |
In a nutshell
According to the International Diabetes Federation, by 2040, India would have 123 million cases of diabetes in the age group of 20 to 79 years. You or your family member could be one. Diabetes is a serious ailment that requires good care and control. And the good thing is, apart from your family, there are insurers who are offering comprehensive health insurance for diabetics’ healthcare needs. It is advisable for diabetic patients to avail the benefits of dedicated diabetes plans. If you’d like to buy a health insurance policy in India or know more, get started by reaching out to us.
FAQs: Health Insurance For Diabetic Patients
Which health insurance plans are best for diabetes?
Many insurance companies offer regular health insurance plans that offer inclusion for chronic diseases, including diabetes, at an additional premium. Apart from that, an increasing number of insurers in India have introduced special dedicated diabetes health insurance plans. These plans specifically cover diabetes related expenses such as doctor’s visit, diagnostic tests, pharmacy bills, and more. Some of the plans to consider are:
Star Health Diabetes Safe
HDFC Ergo Energy Health
Aditya Birla Diabetes Insurance
Apollo Munich Energy
Varishta Mediclaim Insurance Policy – National Insurance
Can diabetic people get health insurance policy in India?
Yes, diabetic patients can get health insurance policies in India. Insurers have introduced many dedicated health insurance plans specifically designed to cover diabetes related health expenses. Apart from that many policies offer coverage for chronic illnesses including diabetes, although at additional premium.
Is it easy or difficult to get health insurance for diabetes?
It is generally not easy for diabetic patients to get general health insurance because of the high risks involved, but not impossible. Diabetes is generally considered as a pre-existing disease by insurers for new plans, and for pre-existing illnesses, they will apply a waiting period of at least one year to four years. Hence, these plans would cover diabetes related expenses only after the waiting period. However, it is easy for diabetic patients to buy dedicated diabetes health insurance plans.
