In India alone, there has been a peripheral increase in the differently-abled population in recent times. In 2001, the figure was 21.9 million. Whereas ten years later, it’s more than 26.8 million in the country. Currently, in India, there are only a few medical insurance plans available for differently-abled individuals. However, most of these medical health insurance plans do not offer the essential benefits for this particular segment of the Indian population.
After several debates on why there are not many options available for medical insurance in India for physically and mentally disabled individuals, the Indian government has introduced numerous schemes to provide relief in terms of their health insurance policies.
Several private insurers in India offer cashless health insurance policies to the differently-abled. Nevertheless, most of these medical health insurance plans are quite expensive. So, if you are thinking about going for a good medical insurance plan for a differently-abled person in your family or yourself, there are certain aspects that you need to keep in mind. However, before diving straight into that, let’s find out who all are considered differently-abled to buy health insurance in India.
Who is Considered to be Differently-abled?
An individual suffering from any of the below-mentioned difficulties is considered to be specially-abled or differently-abled –
- Accidental Disability: If an individual faces any disability due to an accident, they will be considered to be differently-abled. A person with impaired or broken limbs, and partial or complete blindness, will be covered under a health insurance scheme for differently-abled in the country.
- Mental Disability: This refers to the disability caused due to a critical mental illness in an individual. It covers people with mental disorders like psychiatric ailments, mental impairments, or behavioral distresses.
- Genetic Disability: Under this specific medical condition, if an individual is affected mentally right from birth, they will be covered under the medical insurance plans for the differently-abled. Some of the common genetic disorders are; spina bifida, cerebral palsy, heart conditions, cystic fibrosis, etc.
One should also note that an individual with a genetic disability or mental disability usually falls under the high-risk category. Therefore, they will not be covered completely under a medical insurance scheme for the differently-abled. However, the ones with an accidental disability will get the benefit of health insurance coverage. Also, they can go for a standalone rider benefit along with their family medical insurance policy.
Factors Determining the Eligibility of a Cashless Health Insurance for Differently-abled Individuals in India
So, how to determine if the person you are considering a differently-abled medical insurance for is eligible to get coverage or not? Find below-
- Current Health Condition: First, the insurer will check the last two months’ health status of the differently-abled person seeking coverage under health insurance from the company. They do this to minimize the risks, and in case the individual is suffering from any serious ailments at the time of the policy application, there are high chances of their claim getting rejected.
- Family Income: This one is another very important factor that the insurer considers while accepting the medical insurance application by a differently-abled individual. Depending upon the overall family income, the insurer offers a policy to the applicant. The premium amounts are also decided as per the monthly or yearly income of the family of the differently-abled individual.
- Ability to Pay Premiums on Time: Finally, every medical insurance in India comes with its share of premiums. So, the insurer will check the applicant’s bank accounts and monthly statements to find out whether they are eligible to pay the premiums on time or not.
Things to Consider While Buying a Medical Insurance for a Differently-abled
If you are, by now, serious about applying for cashless health insurance for differently-abled, here are a few things which you need to consider to make the process easier-
- Premium Payments: Once the insurer accepts your application, they will determine a particular premium amount for you, which you will have to pay monthly, quarterly, or annually (as per their terms). They will have full privilege to choose the premium amount, and hence, you should choose a plan only if you think you can pay the premiums on time.
- Documentation: Remember that your application documents should not be false and should have every necessary information needed to get your application accepted by the insurer. Generally, you should have a present medical report from an authorized government hospital. Based on the same, the insurer will accept or reject your health insurance application.
- Tax Benefits: Finally, you should be aware that the Indian government offers tax deductions to the differently-abled citizens in the country. As per their regulations, a partial or severely disabled individual can get tax deduction benefits from the insurers under Section 80U of the Indian Income Tax Act. Herein, the partially disabled applicants can avail tax deductions of up to Rs. 50000, and severely disabled individuals can avail tax deductions of up to Rs. 1 lakh.
Conclusion
If you or someone from your family is differently-abled, talk to a reputed insurer about the cashless health insurance plans they can offer you. However, do not forget to keep the things mentioned above in mind as it will help you avail the best medical insurance for yourself or your family.
