Health Insurance For Vector Borne Diseases: A Must

Is health insurance specifically for vector-borne diseases necessary?

Supposing you are wondering that too, you are at the right place. Vector-borne diseases affect millions worldwide, causing casualties in huge numbers. This raises the question of whether insurance specific to such diseases is necessary. Let's figure out, shall we?

1. Understanding Vector-Borne Diseases

Vector-borne diseases are illnesses caused by ‘vectors’ such as mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas. Diseases like dengue and malaria are prevalent in India, especially during the monsoon season.

Living in a tropical country like India means that vector-borne diseases are a significant health risk. Following is the list of vector-borne diseases in India -

• Malaria
• Chikungunya
• Zika virus
• Dengue
• Japanese Encephalitis
• Nipah Virus Infection

The rapid spread of these diseases has highlighted the importance of having robust health insurance coverage to manage high medical costs.

2. The Financial Burden of Treatment

The treatment for vector-borne diseases can be costly. Hospitalisation, diagnostic tests, medications, and post-treatment care can add up quickly. The average expenditure for treatment of dengue ranges between Rs 30,000 to Rs 5 Lakh. Without adequate health insurance, managing these expenses can be a significant financial burden.

While prevention is better than cure, when facing illnesses, the cure must never become a second choice to finances.

Thus comes the need for Health Insurance For Vector Borne Diseases.

3. Why purchase Vector-Borne Disease insurance if you have health insurance?

The theory is simple - ‘Better safe than sorry’

With the rise of health issues in India, one can never be ‘too protected’. Taking Vector-Borne Disease Insurance is simply another precaution to make your financial safety net more comprehensive. Here are a few benefits to buying a Vector-Borne Disease Insurance Policy -

Specialised coverage - A vector-borne disease insurance policy can enhance your existing health coverage if you live in areas with prevalent diseases like malaria or chikungunya.

Safeguarding finances - A vector-borne disease policy helps protect your savings and ensures you have the resources needed for effective treatment. Avoiding depletion of your savings or pushing you into debt.

Rise in Incidents - Within disease-prone areas, and even outside, instances of vector-borne disease outbreaks are increasing, making additional security important.

4. Exclusions, Inclusions and factors to consider

While health insurance offers significant benefits, there can be insurance claim-related issues during Health insurance claim settlements if policyholders are unaware of policy details. Following are some common exclusions and inclusions of a Vector-Borne Disease Insurance Policy -

A. Exclusions -

• Day care expenses
• Pre-existing conditions
• Unproven/experimental/Non-allopathic treatment
• Domiciliary hospitalisation
• Illness contracted pre-policy inception
• Treatments received outside of India

B. Inclusions

• Hospitalisation
• Diagnostics/Medication costs
• OPD treatment
• Ambulance charges
• Consultations with doctors
• Pre/Post-hospitalization expenses

Along with these, other policy-specific details need to be kept in mind, some of which are -

• Waiting period - Claims made during this time might not be accepted as some benefits become applicable only after the waiting period.
• Claim process - Familiarise yourself with the claim process to ensure smooth claim settlement.
• Network hospitals - The bigger the network, the better the access to quality health care.
• Premiums and deductibles - Compare premiums and deductibles to find a plan that fits your budget without compromising coverage.
• Coverage scope - Ensure the policy covers a comprehensive range of treatments and conditions relevant to vector-borne diseases.

Conclusion

Given the high prevalence of vector-borne diseases in India and the substantial costs associated with their treatment, having health insurance is not just advisable but essential. It shields you from unexpected medical expenses and helps manage health insurance claims efficiently.

Contact a subject matter expert for consultations, their expert advice can be a game changer in protecting you and your loved ones.

---