Presently,
around 77 million people in India have diabetes. The number is expected to go up to 134 million by 2045. Mellitus, commonly known as diabetes, is a lifestyle disorder that can affect multiple organs. Diabetes often acts as a catalyst for other diseases and can trigger severe illnesses, some of which can be fatal. In the wake of ever-rising healthcare costs in India, it has become critical to have a health insurance plan.
The Need for Health Insurance
Diabetes can lead to more critical conditions such as:
- Heart attack
- Hypertension
- Complications in the kidney, kidney failure
- Eye complications and blindness
- Skin complications and sclerosis
- Foot ulcers
- Diabetic coma
- Diabetic ketoacidosis
- Neuro complications and damage to the nerves
- Hearing impairment
- Alzheimer's or major damage to the memory
- Depression
Furthermore, accidents and injuries become even graver for people with diabetes. This is because diabetes slows down the wound healing process significantly. This prolonged healing can lead to severe infections and complications in the patient.
Even minor cuts and injuries can become a cause of worry for people with diabetes. Because of the high glucose content in the blood, the wounds either heal quite late or sometimes don't heal at all, which in the long run can become a major health issue that requires significant and continued medical attention.
There possible consequences of diabetes are so grave that a diabetic person must be protected under a comprehensive health insurance plan. Diabetic people are at a much higher risk of needing medical treatment—both planned and emergency ones. Therefore, they need a wide coverage high sum assured health insurance plan that covers pre-existing conditions such as diabetes.
Things to Keep in Mind
Earlier, many general health insurance plans did not cover diabetes. However, the mediclaim policy market is changing rapidly. Given the high incidence and associated complications, the mediclaim policy market now has several health insurance plans covering diabetes as well.
If you are a diabetic, here are five factors that you should keep in mind about your health insurance plan:
Don't miss renewal – Diabetes can adversely impact your health at any point in time. It can just aggravate any other health issue and make things worse for you. So, you must have an active health insurance plan at all times.
Ensure diabetes is well covered – As mentioned above, a comprehensive mediclaim policy usually does not include diabetes. Make sure to particularly ask your insurance provider if diabetes is covered under your mediclaim policy outline.
High sum assured – Since diabetes can affect your health in multiple ways, a diabetic person should always go for a high sum assured mediclaim policy. This is to ensure that in the face of a medical contingency there is enough coverage for the same.
Low waiting period – Most health insurance plans that cover diabetes cover it as a pre-existing disease. Therefore, there is a waiting period attached to the mediclaim policy. Research, compare, and buy a health insurance plan that comes with a shorter waiting period.
Out-patient services – Diabetic patients need medical attention continually. The aggregate costs of the same—the tests, medicines and doctor visits—can be quite high. So, always opt for a health insurance plan that covers outpatient medical expenses.
