List of Diseases Covered Under Health Insurance

Health insurance policies act as a safety net that offers financial coverage to the insured in the event of unpredictable medical emergencies. 
 

Whether you are planning to make cashless claims on your existing health insurance policy or purchasing health insurance for the first time, knowing what diseases it covers will help you make an informed decision. 
 

With that in mind, we have curated a list of diseases covered under health insurance to help you in the process. So, if you want to know what this list is, keep reading!

Importance of Health Insurance Coverage

Before looking at the coverage scope of health insurance, let us briefly understand why you need health insurance in the first place. 
 

Over the last decade, the healthcare sector of India has seen trailblazing advancements. The introduction of technology in the medical field has made it possible to cure some of the earlier incurable life-threatening diseases. 
 

However, we cannot ignore the rising cost of healthcare in the country. In fact, medical debts are among the major reasons behind the financial struggles of individuals. 

At this point, health insurance shines bright as a safe haven that helps in dealing with the hefty cost of medical and healthcare services. 
 

Besides covering the cost of unforeseen medical treatments, health insurance also allows the insured to get effective treatment from trusted network hospitals through cashless claims facilities. 
 

For these reasons, health insurance is seen as a high-return investment rather than an expenditure.

List of Diseases Covered Under Health Insurance

While the diseases covered under health insurance vary from one insurance provider to another, there are some common conditions that are covered by a majority of health policies. Whether it is an individual policy, a mediclaim plan or a senior citizen policy, the below-mentioned diseases will be covered in most cases:
 

• Heart Diseases

  Heart diseases are among the most life-threatening medical conditions. Not to mention, the treatment of heart disease is extremely expensive. 
   

  The good thing is most health insurance policies offer coverage for the treatment of heart ailments such as refractory heart failure, cardiomyopathy, and more. Besides, some insurers also offer routine cardiac check-ups at their network facilities with their policies. 

• High Blood Pressure

  High blood pressure or hypertension is a common disease in India. If left unaddressed, it can lead to serious problems like cardiac arrest, dementia, blocked arteries, and whatnot. The prolonged treatment of these diseases can lead to a financial burden on the individuals. 
   

  But if you have a health insurance plan, you won’t have to deal with the treatment cost. Most health insurance plans cover treatment expenses for high blood pressure and other conditions directly caused due to it. 

• Diabetes

  Not just in India, diabetes is one of the most serious diseases in the world. It is like a slow poison that affects all the body parts of the patient. What’s even worse? It impacts a person's daily lifestyle and can lead to critical issues such as kidney failure, heart stroke, partial blindness, nerve damage, and many more. Thankfully, diabetes comes in the list of diseases covered under health insurance by most providers. 

• Cancer

  Cancer is no less than a nightmare. While medical advancements have made it possible to treat this deadly disease, the cost incurred in the treatment can lead to serious medical debts.
   

  However, if you have a health insurance policy from a reputed provider, your cancer treatment cost will be covered. In fact, some providers offer cashless treatment for chemotherapy, medication, and hospitalisation at network hospitals. 

• Cataract

  Cataract is another common health condition that is covered by most health insurers in India. Notably, the cataract surgery cost starts from ₹20,000 and may go much higher, depending on the severity of the issue. Luckily, it is covered by most health insurance schemes. 

• Covid-19

  The havoc caused by COVID-19 is known to everyone. It is a dangerously contagious disease that can result in conditions ranging from mild flu to multiple organ failure. Most health insurance plans cover the treatment cost and hospitalisation due to the deadly Coronavirus. 

• HIV AIDS

  The treatment cost of HIV AIDS can break banks. This is especially true for middle-class individuals. Many insurance providers in the country offer coverage for the cost of treatment of HIV AIDS.

• Other Critical Illness

  As you can see, most health insurance plans in India offer coverage for a range of common diseases and health conditions. However, there are many other life-threatening diseases that can happen to anyone. 
   

  These include critical diseases such as cancer of specified severity, paralysis, Parkinson’s disease, aorta surgery, chronic lung disease, chronic liver disease, brain surgery, kidney failure, and more. 
   

  To cover the treatment cost of these such critical illnesses, you can purchase a specialised insurance known as Critical Illness Insurance. The good thing is, you can buy a Critical Illness Rider# with your life insurance policy to ensure an all-round financial security in face of any serious emergency. 

List of Diseases Not Covered by Health Insurance 

Now that we have discussed the diseases covered under health insurance  let us take a look at what is not covered by health insurance plans in India. 
 

Following are the conditions and treatments that are excluded from most health insurance policies:
 

• Health problems caused by intoxication

• Injuries caused by self-harm

• Cosmetic surgery (unless recommended by a registered medical practitioner)

• Pre-existing medical conditions

• Infertility treatments such as IVF

Final Thoughts 

Health insurance has become a necessity due to the rising cost of healthcare services in the country. It acts like a financial weapon that helps individuals in dealing with their medical bills. Besides, facilities like cashless claims in health insurance allow patients to get cashless treatment at trusted healthcare facilities. Health insurance covers an exhaustive list of medical conditions. For financial protection against severe ailments, you can opt for a critical illness insurance plan or rider#.