Did you know World Heart Day is observed every year on September 29? This day was selected by the World Health Federation and World Health Organisation (WHO) to raise awareness of heart diseases and how to keep this vital organ healthy. If you suffer from heart-related problems, you’re not alone. A 2021 study showed that almost 30% of Indians of age 45 years and above suffer from cardiovascular diseases. Most news reports indicate that heart ailments are on the rise among the young and the middle-aged in India. You may be wondering whether there is health insurance for people with heart disease. The good news is that there are several specialised health insurance plans for heart patients in India.
Why are More Insurers Providing Health Insurance for Heart Patients?
More than 50% of heart attacks are reported for people who are below 50 years, according to the Indian Heart Association. There are several reasons for cardiovascular disease being on the rise. This includes factors such as unhealthy diet, sedentary lifestyle, stress and pollution, among others. With the rising number of people suffering from heart diseases, more health insurance providers have started offering different types of plans. In fact, cardiac health insurance plans allow people with heart-related problems to cope with steeply rising medical costs in India.
What Do Cardiac Health Insurance Plans Cover?
Depending on the plan you choose, your health insurance policy for heart patients may cover the following:
Hospitalisation Expenses: These are expenses incurred when the policyholder is admitted in a hospital. Typically, you need to be admitted for more than 24 hours to claim the amount. The health insurance policy for heart patients may offer a cashless facility in case you’re admitted to a hospital in the insurer’s network.
Pre- and Post-Hospitalisation Expenses: Your plan may cover expenses before you’re admitted to the hospital, like ambulance charges, as well as those that are incurred after you’re discharged, like follow-up checkups and tests.
Domiciliary Hospitalisation: Some cardiac health insurance plans cover expenses if the policyholder is not fit enough to be moved to the hospital.
Yearly Cardiac Health Checkup: Some plans reimburse you for annual checkups to determine the state of your heart health and risks.
Heart Attack: Most health insurance plans for heart patients cover the cost of treatment for the first heart attack. It’s important to check the terms and conditions for subsequent episodes.
Alternative Treatments: The awareness and use of alternative medicine is growing worldwide. In India, there are close to 8 lakh registered practitioners of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Naturopathy). Health insurance for heart patients may also cover expenses incurred on such forms of treatment.
What to Check When Choosing a Health Insurance Plan for Heart Patients?
Here’s a quick checklist of factors to consider for selecting a health insurance policy for heart patients:
Whether it covers pre-existing heart conditions
Procedures or surgeries covered by the plan
The network hospitals mentioned by the insurer
Waiting period for you to become eligible for coverage
Waiting period for pre-existing heart condition (maybe longer)
Premium (the more extensive the coverage, the higher the premium may be)
Additional benefits, like some policies offer a lump sum payment in the event of a heart episode
Deductibles (means your out-of-pocket expenses during a claim)
Exclusions (what the policy does not cover)
Unhealthy eating habits and lack of exercise are pegged as a key factor for heart-related ailments, besides stress, chronic fatigue, obesity and unmonitored hypertension. If you’re suffering from heart-related problems, it’s best to get your lifestyle preferences in order and to take walks, relax as much as you can and of course, get health insurance soon.
While the cost of medical treatments and procedures differ among hospitals and regions, the average cost of heart surgery in India ranges from ₹1.5 lakhs to ₹5 lakhs.
Cardiac health insurance plans provide an essential shield that enables peace of mind. With insurance, you can focus on recovering faster instead of worrying about the financial burden of treatment. Remember, insurance secures your family’s financial well-being too.
