Diabetes is a common disease that affects people of all ages. It is a non-communicable metabolic disorder that has a serious impact on various body organs if left uncontrolled. Hence, early detection and intervention are the key to curbing the illness and its long-term life-altering implications. Having an adequate health insurance plan for diabetics will definitely going to save you from financial stress. We’ll discuss about the topic in details.
Types of Diabetes
Type 1: Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks and destroys pancreatic cells, which produce insulin, a hormone responsible for regulating blood sugar levels. It is usually diagnosed in children and young adults.
Type 2: Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes. With this, the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or cells in the body are unable to respond to insulin normally. It is usually diagnosed in older adults and is caused due to lifestyle and food habits.
Gestational Diabetes: Some women develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy, which can go away after pregnancy. However, gestational diabetes puts you at a higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later.
Prediabetes: This is an early stage of Type 2 diabetes. It indicates high blood sugar levels but not high enough to be categorised as diabetes.
Diabetes in India
Diabetes in India is a ticking time bomb. According to a new study published in The Lancet in 2023, an estimated 101 million people in India, 11.4% of the entire population, are living with diabetes. The study also estimated that 15.3% of the country’s population, around 135 million people, are prediabetic.
The recent estimates are significantly higher than the earlier estimates provided by the WHO. The WHO had estimated that 77 million people in India had diabetes, and nearly 25 million were prediabetic. Prediabetics are at a higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes in the next few years.
Living with Diabetes
Diabetes is a serious health condition. It can only be managed and cannot be permanently cured. Hence, living with diabetes is a life-long challenge.
Diabetes can impact different patients differently. Hence, every patient requires a tailored plan to manage the disease. Diabetes management includes regular blood sugar level monitoring, oral medication, insulin injection, diet management and a physically active lifestyle. Managing diabetes requires money and effort to make necessary changes in the lifestyle. Making long-term alterations in lifestyle is challenging for many patients.
Benefits of Health Insurance for Diabetics
Living with diabetes requires regular checkups, doctor consultations and ongoing medication. Moreover, diabetes patients are always at higher risk of developing other life-threatening illnesses such as heart attack, stroke, kidney failure etc. Diabetes can also lead to mental health issues. These put the patient and his family under huge economic burden.
A health insurance cover can be key to living a life without financial worries. For people with diabetes, a good health insurance policy provides great economic support.
- It provides cover against astronomical hospitalisation expenses in case of any diabetes-related complication.
- Annual health checkup helps in regular monitoring.
- Cashless hospitalisation allows you to access quality treatment without paying upfront.
The Challenges
Since people with diabetes are at higher risk of developing serious health issues, health insurance companies are stringent in extending health coverage to them. Diabetes can lead to access to limited health insurance coverage or an outright denial from health insurers. Terms of health insurance coverage depend on factors such as type of diabetes, time since the diagnosis of illness, age at which diabetes was diagnosed, current health condition, ongoing medication etc. Many insurers deny coverage to people with Type 1 diabetes or people dependent on insulin for diabetes management. Others can get coverage with a waiting period for 2 to 3 years on diabetes and other related health conditions. Some insurers might charge a loading or extra premium for providing health insurance cover to people with diabetes.
With so many people in India living with diabetes, health insurers have now launched some health insurance plans that provide better terms to people with diabetes. These plans offer better coverage and terms to people with diabetes. However, such plans are more expensive than regular health insurance plans.
What to Consider While Choosing a Health Insurance for Diabetics?
Now you know that obtaining a health insurance policy for diabetics is difficult. It is recommended to check out the policy conditions and restrictions before you go ahead with your purchase. Here are a few things you should see.
Coverage: Does the policy cover diabetes-related complications and associated hospitalisation expenses?
Waiting period: What is the waiting period for diabetes and related conditions?
Mandatory Copayment: Do you have to pay a percentage of every claim yourself?
Permanent Exclusion: Does your policy impose a permanent exclusion on diabetes and related conditions?
Top Health Insurance Plans for Diabetics
Let’s take a look at the top health insurance plans available for people with diabetes in India.
| Type of Diabetes Covered | Current Medication | Time Since Diagnosis | Plan Name |
| Type 1 | Oral | Usually diagnosed in children and young adults | HDFC Ergo Energy
Care Freedom |
| Type 1 | Insulin | Usually diagnosed in children and young adults | HDFC Ergo Energy
Care Freedom |
| Type 2 (Diagnosed before age 35) | Oral | Does not matter | HDFC Ergo Energy
Care Freedom |
| Type 2 (Diagnosed before age 35) | Insulin | Does not matter | HDFC Ergo Energy
Care Freedom |
| Type 2 (Diagnosed after age 35) | Oral | Less than 10 year | Care Supreme with Instant Cover Add-on
Niva Bupa Reassure 2.0 with Disease Management Add-on |
| Type 2 (Diagnosed after age 35) | Oral | More than 10 year | Niva Bupa Reassure 2.0 with Disease Management Add-on
Manipal Cigna ProHealth Prime Active |
| Type 2 (Diagnosed after age 35) | Insulin | Does not matter | Manipal Cigna ProHealth Prime Active |
| Gestational Diabetes | Difficult to get health coverage. Need to check with the insurer’s underwriting team. |
Are you looking for a good health cover for someone living with diabetes? Finding it on your own can be tough. We are here to help you.
Book a call with us to discuss your existing health insurance coverage with our expert advisors.
Summary
- India has become the diabetes capital of the world, with over an estimated hundred million people living with the disease.
- People with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing multiple serious health conditions.
- If you are one of them, having the right health insurance plan can help beat astronomical hospitalisation expenses associated with diabetes-related conditions.
- Getting comprehensive health coverage is difficult after the onset of diabetes as choices are limited.
- Talk to a good insurance advisor to check out your options and choose the right one suitable for you.
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