Why? All for a stimulant called caffeine that is known to drive away drowsiness and energize people.

Besides tea and coffee, a variety of other foods also contain caffeine, for example, some soft drinks, energy drinks, chocolates and a few processed foods. So, how does caffeine affect your mind and body? And, why do health experts discourage people from consuming too much of it? Read on to decipher the 'caffeine code.'

Spring in Your Step

Caffeine is a psychoactive drug that stimulates the central nervous system. It increases the focus of our grey cells, enhances concentration of the work at hand and keeps the mind alert. Consumption of caffeine has also been known to boost the energy level, making it is immensely popular with those who work around deadlines. With so many benefits, it's no wonder why people look forward to their daily dose of this.

Did You Know? Tea is the second most consumed beverage in the world after water.

Different People, Different Effects

The effects of caffeine aren't same for everyone. A moderately sized cup of coffee or tea can have a lasting effect on the drinker for approximately 4-5 hours. Though, the extent and length of time for which the body and mind experience a heightened sense of wellbeing depend upon the physique (including lifestyle and genetic factors) of the person who is consuming the drink. To cut a long story short, caffeine has varying effects on different people.

Finland's Love for Coffee Finland has the highest per capita consumption of coffee in the world, which annually works out to 12 kg per person. In contrast, India's coffee consumption is only 90 gm per person.

It is considered the first step to being afflicted with disorders like diabetes, some cancers, heart diseases, strokes, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis and gout, among others, which could potentially necessitate coverage under various health insurance plans. Scientifically, anybody whose bodyweight is 20% higher than normal is considered obese. In terms of BMI (Body Mass Index), anything over 30 is considered obese. The most common cause of obesity in the current generation is the sedentary lifestyle we lead. Poor dietary and lifestyle choices lead to obesity and eventually towards the plethora of related illnesses.

How Can You Avoid Obesity?

We are always advised to "eat less" to avoid being obese. But we need to understand that "what" to eat is more important than "how much" you eat. A balanced diet consumed in limited portions at regular intervals throughout the day is the key to an optimal weight.

So, what are the foods you should avoid? Are there any "Don'ts" to follow? Let's take a look at them.

Refined Sugars and HFCS: Let's face it. Our body does not need white sugar. Our body needs carbohydrates, yes, but not in the form of refined white sugar or High Fructose Corn Syrup or HCFS (found in processed sweet foods, like soft drinks, breakfast cereals and bars, pastries, etc).

Our body can take up carbs from the grains and cereals that we eat. Simple sugars will result in a spike in insulin levels and give your body empty calories, sans the nutrients. In the absence of equivalent physical activity to burn up these extra calories, the carbs will be converted into fats and stored in the body.

The conventional method of our chasing an insurance policy requires time investment as you would have to meet several insurance agents. These insurance agents would provide insurance quotes and explain the policy features to offer a basic understanding of the benefits offered. Such a selection process requires careful consideration before you narrow your options and select a particular insurance policy.

This type of policy purchase is slowly being replaced by the quick and efficient online method. With the easy accessibility and widespread use of internet, many insurance companies are using the online portal to reach out to prospective buyers. Insurance providers in India have their official websites that not only offer information about the types of policies offered but also allow you to make an online insurance policy purchase.

Individuals interested in buying medical insurance plans online can easily log on to the website of their respective insurance providers. This online mode of purchasing is extremely beneficial to individuals who live on a tight schedule. With a few clicks of the mouse you can access different health insurance plans offered and carefully read policy features before you make a purchase. This medical insurance online policy purchase can be accomplished by setting aside a few hours from your day and secure your family’s health.

Many insurance companies, including ICICI Lombard, offer an instant digitised copy of the medical insurance plan which can be easily printed. This computer generated copy is considered valid if you have to make a claim till policy documents are processed. Another benefit of the digitised medical insurance policy is that you can access it from any computing device.

It is important to select a health cover which offers coverage for all of your family’s health requirements so that you are better prepared for any medical exigency. For these reasons, it is best to consider a comprehensive family health insurance as it offers extensive coverage so that you can rest assured that your family’s health is optimally secured.

It would be beneficial to opt for family health insurance covers from well-known insurance providers so that making claims or getting acceptance at health care facilities is stress-free. Nowadays, most health insurance providers have made their insurance policies available online. This gives quick access and better understanding of policy features and aids in choosing a correct insurance cover for your family. ICICI Lombard Complete Health Insurance has family floater health insurance option which allows you to secure a maximum of 5 family members (according to policy terms) with the payment of a single premium. With the availability of a larger sum insured and freedom to structure the premium according to your choice, this health cover offers optimal savings. Thus, you can secure your family’s health in one go and do not have to worry about keeping a track of individual health insurance policies.

The cashless hospitalisation feature of this comprehensive health insurance plan relieves you of the stress of shouldering hospital bills during an emergency hospitalisation. ICICI Lombard also has a tie-up with several premium health care providers across the country. The insured can avail of cashless hospitalisation at any of these network hospitals and gain access to optimal medical treatment without worrying about hospitalisation costs.

With this comprehensive family health insurance, the insured gets coverage for all medical expenses incurred as an inpatient during hospitalisation of more than 24 hours. This health plan also covers all medical expenditure 30 days before and 60 days after hospitalisation. Not just that, day care expenses for advanced technological surgeries and procedures such as dialysis, radiotherapy and chemotherapy (requiring less than 24 hours of hospitalisation).

This family floater health insurance plan also offers the option of purchasing additional covers which offer monetary benefits (according to policy terms) during hospitalisation. These additional covers can be purchased by the payment of a slightly higher premium and can prove extremely handy during several medical emergencies.

With all these benefits in mind, buying a comprehensive health insurance plan is the best way to secure your family’s health and your finances during any medical exigency.

Disclaimer - The article contains only an indication of the cover offered. For complete details on coverage, terms, conditions and exclusions, please read the sales brochure carefully before concluding a sale. This article is brought to you by ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Limited. Insurance is the subject matter of solicitation.

A health crisis - It is an emergency that may occur without any signs and symptoms. There's no time to get prepared for the treatment, expenses and making arrangements for various problems that tag along. Then, why not ensure security with a health insurance policy?

It is prudent to choose a right policy for a secure future. So, how to make the right choice? The key is to understand the claim game of health insurance in India.

What is a claim?

To be precise, the term 'claiming' as the process wherein the insured (who buys the insurance policy) approaches the insurer (the insurance company) for reimbursement or direct payment for the health care or medical costs incurred during treatment. This is subjected to the sum insured. The details are mentioned in the health insurance policy.

Medical emergencies need instant attention. Hence, the insured individual must keep their health ID card handy. The card consists of valuable details such as name of the insured, insurer name, period of policy etc.

However, these precautions alone cannot guarantee 100 per cent protection to you from health problems. You need to go for something that allows you financial protection if an unforeseen health emergency strikes.

So what should be done other than following a healthy lifestyle? Well buying a health insurance will solve your issue. It will ensure that you stay stress free . With individual health insurance you don't need to go too far to protect it. The insurance company usually collaborates with a network of medical centres and hospitals all over the country. Buying this insurance plan will help you get protection against the unforeseen health problems.

Buying an insurance plan is an action that you take towards preparing for the unforeseen. Just as you make plans for future by saving money to buy a vehicle, house or going out on a vacation, planning to stay healthy and facing a medical emergency is important.

In the event where you suddenly fall sick or suffer from an injury and require immediate hospitalisation, it is important to have something that helps you pay expensive hospitalization and medication bills. With prices of health care procedures rising high, it has become important to make arrangements in advance. Hospital bills can burn a hole in your pocket. All that you have saved from quite some time may vanish in day. Having an individual health plan is the best way to protect savings.

If you think medical emergency cannot strike you, think again! Physical injury and sickness is inevitable and unpredictable. No one knows what’s in store for the next moment. Unexpected sickness can lead to huge expenses. Buying an affordable health insurance plan will help you face these problems without having to break your bank.

Buying an individual insurance plan will ensure maximum protection for your health under all circumstances (as stated in the policy terms). Your personal health will be taken care of in case of an emergency if you own a individual health insurance policy.

These days, most hospitals are covered by reputed health insurance organizations. This is an attempt on the part of these organizations to make sure the insurance buyer gets the best treatment as per the demand of the situation without having to spend a lot of money from his own profit.

Reimbursement for Bills

Under this plan, the insurance buyer must pay insurance bills all by himself initially. Thereafter, he can claim for a refund from the insurance organization. In this case, he needs to present the bills.

Most insurance companies have a network with renowned hospitals all over the country. When an individual avails for cashless facility, he gets treatment at one of the network hospitals but does not pay the bills. The bill is settled by the insurance company. All the insurance buyer does is, shows the insurance card and the hospital offers the treatment without cash payment.

This actually depends on a number of factors including the following:

Age of the covered individual

Covered individual’s medical history

Past claims made by the covered individual

Benefits of Buying Health Insurance Plan for Individual

Cover against accidental death

Protection against total disablement in the event of an accident

Optional cover against expenses incurred due to accidental hospitalisation

Allowance for accidental hospital on a daily basis

Customised cover that facilitates individual to select from the following amounts:

i. 3 Lakhs INR

ii. 5 Lakhs INR

iii. 10 Lakhs INR

iv. 15 Lakhs INR

v. 20 Lakhs INR

vi. 25 Lakhs INR

Problems related to acts of terrorism

The insurance company also offers EMI (equated monthly instalment) facility for credit card customers.

It was found that traffic congestion (63%) and parking (56%) top the list of factors that cause high anxiety levels in Indian drivers. At least six out of every ten Indian drivers feel stressed due to these factors. These results have come to light when India has recorded the highest ever road deaths at 16 people per hour in the year 2014. According to K. K. Kapila, Chief of the International Road Federation, 'All these years we have been blaming drivers, and little has been done to find out what is the extent of road condition and driving atmosphere that are responsible for crashes as well.' This indicates a pressing need for health insurance for Indian drivers, considering the escalating road dangers. The other factors for stress, such as the fear of accidents and traffic fines, rated low. However, one of the key factors like honking on the road was not taken into consideration. Another fact that came out through this study was that the drivers feel relaxed by singing or listening to music. Almost 47% of drivers sing most of the time while driving.

During such times, getting optimal medical care is a top priority and not much thought is accorded to medical expenses and medical bills. It is at the time of settling bills that can cause stress as arranging for adequate finances at the last minute can get quite cumbersome or can affect your savings. Conversely, lack of adequate funds could come in the way of securing optimal health care for the ailing and can at times prove fatal. It is for these reasons that a health insurance policy is extremely essential so that you get optimal health care without endangering your savings.

Opting for a comprehensive health insurance would be beneficial as it offers extensive coverage. With a comprehensive health policy lends coverage for all hospitalisation bills, payment of doctor’s or surgeon’s fees, room rent, expenses incurred with the purchase of medicines etc. The coverage offered by a health plan differs from one insurance provider to another. Thus, it becomes important to read carefully the extent of coverage and any additional charges like deductibles or co-payments which may be applicable on certain medical services and coverage offered by your health insurance policy.

To buy an affordable health insurance comparing quotes is a must. An insurance quote gives you a fair idea about the premium payable for a particular cover. Based on this knowledge, you can easily narrow down on several insurance covers and select one which best meets your requirements and budget. The best health insurance would be one which offers the freedom to structure the policy premium as per the buyer’s convenience. For this reason, it would be beneficial to consider the Complete Heath Insurance plan offered by ICICI Lombard. This plan offers lifetime renewability and allows the option to structure the premium to your requirement.

This Health AdvantEdge policy (family health insurance)is a comprehensive insurance policy and can be tailored to cover an individual or a family. With the floater benefit, this insurance policy can cover a maximum of five family members (subject to policy terms) under a single premium which makes it affordable health insurance. You then do not need to purchase individual insurance policies for your loved ones. With such a policy, you need not fret about missing renewal and premium payment dates.

Several insurance providers offer the option of online purchase, payment and renewal which further simplifies the process of policy purchase. Thus, with a little careful consideration, buying the best health insurance is extremely easy to enjoy optimal medical and financial benefits.

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Understanding how you can save tax from health insurance

Simply put together, a health insurance is an insurance policy that covers the medical expenses incurred for the treatment of an insured. The insured either pays the expenses from his own pocket and then obtains reimbursement or seeks cashless treatment wherein the insurance company makes the payment directly to the healthcare service provider.

The level or kind of indemnity against healthcare costs depends on the kind of health insurance cover and the level of sum insured opted for. The insured can claim medical expenses only on hospitalization if the insurance policy bought does not cover pre-hospitalization and post-hospitalization expenses. If you want your insurance company to pay for pre-hospitalization as well as post-hospitalization expenses, then you must ensure these expenses are included when you buy the insurance policy.

You can also opt for a cover that includes offer of daily cash on hospitalization which takes care of petty cash expenses.

Premium Varies As Per Cover

Beware that the premium you pay for the health insurance cover will be higher or lower depending on the sum insured you choose and the healthcare expenses you choose to include in addition to hospitalization expenses.

The level of sum insured also determines the kind of hospital room you will be entitled. A lower sum insured will entitle you to a shared or general ward room and a higher sum insured can entitle you to a single bed room. The insurance company also links some of the other charges at the hospital to the kind of room you are entitled to. Actual expenses or charges at the hospital exceeding the sub-limits set by your insurance company are to be paid by you from your own pocket.

The Nipah Virus Infection (NiV) is a deadly viral infection that affects both humans and animals. Fruit Bats are the natural host of the virus, and it can spread from animals to humans and from humans to humans. Health insurance can provide crucial financial support for those affected by the virus, as the symptoms are similar to influenza but much more severe. Over 50 to 75 percent of those infected have died, making this a fatal disease. There is no known cure for it yet, but there are preventive steps you can take to stay safe.

Some preventive steps you can take to stay safe from the Nipah Virus

Don’t Eat Infected Fruits

Since the virus is primarily caused by Fruit Bats, it’s essential to take precaution when consuming fruit. Don’t pick up and eat fruits fallen on the ground, as they could have been bitten by fruit bats and could be infected. Even while buying fruits from the market, don’t have any that seem bitten or not whole.

Thoroughly Wash all Fruits and Vegetables

The Nipah Virus Infection is borne in fruits and since we can’t know which fruits are infected with our bare eyes, washing all fruits and even vegetables thoroughly is a must. Peeling fruits and vegetables before consumption is an even better precautionary measure. Only eat clean, well-cooked, home-made meals until the outbreak settles.

Don’t Consume Date Palm Sap

During an outbreak of the virus, there’s a high chance that date palms are contaminated and you should not consume date palm sap. Fruit bats gravitate to date palm trees and infect them with licking and other bodily secretions.

Stay Away from Infected Animals and Humans

A key precautionary measure is to avoid all contact with infected pigs, bats and humans. While human-to-human transmission of the Nipah virus infection is very uncommon, it’s not impossible. Stay away from those affected by the virus and in case you have to see them, wear a mask.

Maintain Strict Hygiene

In a situation of any virus outbreak, maintaining personal and home hygiene is a must. Wash your hands regularly, especially after coming from crowded public places and avoid using public washrooms. Keep your home surroundings extra clean and tidy.

Report Early Symptoms and Get Tested

The Nipah virus can develop without the infected person showing any symptoms. But in most cases the symptoms are evident and are very similar to those of influenza. Fever, muscle pain, headaches, vomiting, nausea, drowsiness, mental confusion and disorientation are common symptoms. If you start to notice any of these symptoms, don’t delay a visit to a doctor.

While these steps are effective, they are only precautionary. Due to the complicated way that virus infections spread, you can never be too sure. Getting health insurance cover is the ultimate safety step you can take.

Related Article:

Everything You Need To Know About Viral Fever
Causes of Molluscum Contagiosum
Symptoms of Influenza
How to Prevent Malaria during Monsoon

Different health insurance plans pay for all of these functions in differing amounts and the premiums differ as well. Often, individuals will get access to a health care plan through their employer, which sometimes provide assistance on premium payment. As long as the individual remains current on their health insurance premium, they can count on receiving coverage. Health insurance generally covers:

Routine care- Routine procedures generally include physical examinations, regular tests, vaccines, booster shots and care for minor illness. Visiting a doctor regularly is important to ensure that no serious conditions develop. In general, the earlier that a serious condition is diagnosed by a doctor, the better the chances for recovery. Depending on the level of health care offered by the insurance plan, there may be no, some or complete coverage for such routine visits within certain limitations.

Emergency care- Emergencies include sudden injuries, acute illnesses, drug overdoses and other unexpected medical calamities. The emergency coverage provided by health insurance typically exceeds for mare predictable illnesses because of the reduced chances of their occurrence. This usually means a higher maximum payment and a lower deductible specifically for emergency. Emergency coverage can cover ancillary cost like ambulance fees as well.

Chronic conditions- Chronic conditions often require repeated treatment,extensive intervention and continual testing. As long as it’s not a pre -existing condition, health insurance companies will usually cover the bulk costs associated with such medical issues.

Pharmaceuticals- Pharmaceutical treatments, as long as they are prescribed by a doctor, are usually covered in large part by insurance plans. The deductible for pharmaceuticals can be quite high depending on the plan. As pharmacology is critical to the practice of modern medicine, almost every health insurance plan provision for at least some pharmaceutical usage for insurance holder.

Health care is changed since the days of family doctors and house calls. Today the rising cost of everything from prescription drugs to diagnostic treatments has turning us to managed care networks for workable health care solutions. Times may have changed, but there are still number of good alternative insurance options to consider. Health plans can be broken down into four basic categories, HMOs, POSs, PPOs and Free- for- Service (indemnity) plans.

Health Maintenance Organisation- By choosing an HMO plan, you will be paying for your coverage in advance, rather than paying for each health related service separately. For the price of your monthly premium, your HMO will offer you a range of benefits from preventative care to dental or vision coverage.

Point Of Service Plan- POS plans are HMO’s that allow you to control your own health care, rather than insisting on referrals from your primary care physician. Whenever you have medical need you will have three “point of service” choices.

Preferred Provider Organisation- your PPO plan negotiates lower overall fee arrangements with an assortment of doctors.

A list of things for ‘Amdavadis’ to know before choosing a health insurance policy

Health is extremely important to do anything in life and when you live in a fast-paced metro city like Ahmedabad, you put it severely at risk. However, health insurance can be your saviour, if you know which policy to opt for. Be sure to consider these factors before deciding on which health insurance policy will be best for you.

Cover

The total cover or sum assured of your health insurance plan should meet your medical needs. So, it is important to account for inflation and the cost of health care in your area while calculating it.

In Ahmedabad, as in most major metros, the cost of health care is pretty high. Since, Ahmedabad is also a fairly ‘high risk’ area, there is a greater chance of needing to make a claim. It is therefore, advisable to health insurance plan with a higher cover amount if you live in the city.

Budget

Your budget for the health insurance plan, is the amount you’re willing to pay as premium. This should be decided only after putting away enough money for your basic cash flow, including bills, rent, fees (if any), etc.

The cost of living in Ahmedabad is fairly low, compared to other metros. Therefore, you may be able to afford slightly higher premiums depending on your income. However, it is still advisable to find a health insurance policy that meets your needs, without burning too big a hole in your pocket.

Claim Settlement

The claim settlement ratio is an important factor to note while deciding the insurance company you wish to buy the policy from. Companies with higher claim settlement ratios (or lower claim pending ratios) are more likely to be better and more efficient at handling claims. A few health insurance companies in Ahmedabad, have good claim settlement ratios. You can choose one from among them.

A visit to the app store of any platform will give you hundreds of health and wellness-related apps. In our earlier article we had shared information about six such useful apps. In this article, we'll take a look at a few more handy apps which are available on both iOS and Android platforms. Don't forget to check out ICICI Lombard's ILTakeCare help with numerous features.

1. GotoAID First Aid

1. Name of Company:Jaargon Ltd.
   b. Type of App:Paid

How about a database that helps you to overcome medical emergency situations by providing clear and simple stepwise instructions? GotoAID First Aid helps identify the problem from the symptoms and then helps you provide life-saving first aid to people and pets. The database covers more than 400 topics and interactive tools. It also features a "disaster preparedness section." This is an absolute "must- have" for a first-aid novice since it helps the user provide first aid during problems as small as bee stings to complicated and potentially life-threatening ones like a heart attack.

2. Pact- Cash for Living Healthy

1. Name of Company:Pact Team
   b. Type of App:Free

Set your fitness goals and bet on it! How cool is that?! This app motivates you to set your exercise and healthy eating goals every week. You can manage how much money you want to put on line. Now, go hit a gym or workout at your place and track other people's workouts via GPS. If you achieve your goals, you get paid. The people, who do not achieve their goals, lose money. So you are paid for living healthy!

People in India are not aware of the adversities that one goes through while suffering from a mental illness. Be it financial or mental, one must seek support in times like these. Insurance regulator IRDAI issued a circular stating that insurers must cover mental illness, which is rapidly increasing in the country. Mental health conditions have always been excluded from health insurance policies.

On May 29th, the Mental Healthcare Act 2017 came into being. The Act states that it is mandatory to provide insurance for treatment of mental illness. The insurance policy should cover ailments such as depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. But, none of the 33 insurance companies in India has launched a single product covering these.

An executive from a top health insurance firm welcomed the move of providing health cover to those suffering from mental illnesses, stating that it will normalize the myths and stigma associated with the malady. This will make people aware of the problems faced by mentally ill patients and ensure a life of dignity for them.

Psychiatrist and Director at the Pune-based Indian Law Society’s Centre for Mental Health Law and Policy, Mr. Soumitra Pathare says that it is extremely inhuman to discriminate people in this manner. The only exceptions when it comes to covering mental health issues are Autism and Down’s Syndrome.

Sanjay Datta, Chief of Underwriting, Re-Insurance and Claims, ICICI Lombard General Insurance stated this as an actuarial and financial risk. He mentions that this is an uncharted territory. This insurance can be divided into two – OPD Cover for therapy, consultation, and drugs. Second, covering rehab or hospitalization, which would be long-term and expensive.

Companies wanting to include mental health coverage will have to file a fresh product with IRDAI or add this to an existing product and file again. A government official said,”Companies will have to revise rates, look at the actuarial risk, increase premium if need be. So far, no insurance company has filed for such a change with the regulator”.

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ICICI Lombard Health Insurance Cashless Network Hospital List in Fatehpur, Uttar Pradesh

Explore ICICI Lombard’s health insurance plans :

• Family Health Insurance
• Personal Accident Insurance 
• Top Up Health Insurance
• Arogya Sanjeevani Policy
• Corona Kavach Policy
• Senior Citizen Health Insurance
• Parents Health Insurance
• Children Health Insurance

which offers people much needed financial backup during any medical emergencies.

ICICI Lombard Health Insurance Cashless Network Hospital List in Etawah, Uttar Pradesh

Explore ICICI Lombard’s health insurance plans :

• Family Health Insurance
• Personal Accident Insurance 
• Top Up Health Insurance
• Arogya Sanjeevani Policy
• Corona Kavach Policy
• Senior Citizen Health Insurance
• Parents Health Insurance
• Children Health Insurance

which offers people much needed financial backup during any medical emergencies.

ICICI Lombard Health Insurance Cashless Network Hospital List in Deoria, Uttar Pradesh

Explore ICICI Lombard’s health insurance plans :

• Family Health Insurance
• Personal Accident Insurance 
• Top Up Health Insurance
• Arogya Sanjeevani Policy
• Corona Kavach Policy
• Senior Citizen Health Insurance
• Parents Health Insurance
• Children Health Insurance

which offers people much needed financial backup during any medical emergencies.

Permanent Disability involves injury or sickness that restricts a person’s ability to earn a living or be self-reliant. Individuals with permanent disability are unable to perform certain basic tasks and jobs that they would otherwise be eligible for by virtue of education, training or experience. Unfortunately, such disabilities often remain with them for a lifetime.

Several lifestyle products that are specially designed to help people with physical disability are available in the market. These include simple crutches, walkers, and canes, to customized products like the Jaipur foot. Here are some of the products and aids that can enhance the quality of life of people with disability:

Canes and Wheeled Walkers

Canes provide great help in increasing daily movement and continuing routine activities. They are easily available in the market in different shapes, sizes, materials, and even designs. Right from straight to molded, wooden to folding, and even seat canes are available to choose based on individual needs.

For those whom the cane might not be as beneficial, there are wheeled walkers too. They are easy and sturdy, to facilitate easy movement both indoors and outdoors. Being lightweight, with wheels in the front, makes it an ideal choice for the elderly.

Grab Bars

Grab bars is yet another lifestyle product that helps those with disability to take one more step to independence. Mostly used in washrooms, it makes it safer while walking on slippery surfaces and can be installed anywhere on the walls. These come with a strong suction to the surface so there is no drilling required.

Technology-powered Wheelchairs

Power chairs are the technologically advanced version of the regular wheelchairs and are specially designed for people with major disabilities. It can be controlled by a remote or a control panel on the armrest to direct the battery-powered wheels.

Future of Assistive Technologies

There have been quite a few developments in the Assistive Technological space to empower people with physical disabilities. E-books like Kindle and Sony E-reader are proving to be helpful for those with learning disabilities and other conditions. Text-to-Speech capability is also being developed to suit into all your devices.

Additional Assistive Products

There are many other assistive products that are easily available with a pharmacist or any disability product website. These include high-powered glasses, bath seats, joint support bandages, etc. These products can surely help in making the daily life activities smoother.

Such lifestyle products aim to give the lives of the disabled a new meaning and help them become differently-abled individuals. There are many who may have been permanently disabled due to circumstances but refuse to be bedridden. In such situations, these products prove to be a good support.

Avoid Financial Disability

Technology is being developed to facilitate and empower disabled individuals to get back into their mainstream life, as much as possible. Although things might not be normal, they can at least get a little better with sufficient aid and adequate financial help.

In most cases, one might never know when such a situation could arise. Therefore, being prepared and getting adequate cover can help. A substantial insurance cover will assist individuals to get back and reclaim their life by protecting financial losses. Disability might be a physical setback but don’t let it become a financial setback.

With an aim to provide social security to the people belonging to the low-income groups, the Government of India launched AABY on 2nd October 2007.

As per the Ministry of Labour and Employment data, approximately 93% of India's total workforce is employed in the unorganised sector. Workers belonging to these occupational groups often shy away from buying health insurance coverage due to their poor financial state. However, in case of accidental injuries, illnesses, or death, their families may have to face the excessive financial brunt.

To provide social security to this section of the population, India launched "Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana (AABY)" on 2nd October 2007. The literal translation of the name is the common man's insurance scheme. It provides coverage against natural or accidental death and disability to the Below Poverty Line (BPL) families' breadwinners.

What is the AABY scheme?

As specified above, the Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana (AABY) is a social security scheme, launched on 2nd October 2007. It provides health insurance coverage against contingencies such as death or disability. It is targeted towards the breadwinners of low-income families in India, and benefits those working in the unorganised sector, such as daily wage labourers, fishermen, cobblers, auto drivers, etc.

The AABY scheme started operating successfully from 2013 under the supervision of the Finance Ministry of India.

Features & benefits of the AABY scheme

The scheme covers family heads or lone earning members of the families belonging to the low-income groups.

The coverage amount remains fixed throughout the policy period. The policyholder gets a lump sum in case of a claim.

In case of the insured person's natural death during the coverage tenure, the nominee or surviving family members will be paid ₹30,000.

In case of accidental death or total permanent disability (loss of both eyes or both limbs), the policyholder or his/her nominee gets ₹75,000.

In case of partial permanent disability (loss of one eye or one limb), the policyholder or his/her nominee gets ₹37,500.

The scheme is designed to cover the members of 48 occupational groups identified by the Government.

The premium amount that's charged to provide the benefits of AABY scheme is ₹200 per annum. While 50% of this premium will be subsidised from the Social Security Fund, the State Government or Nodal Agency will bear the remaining 50% amount.

The AABY scheme also offers a free scholarship of ₹100 every month to the eligible children (maximum of two children per person) to ensure that they receive uninterrupted education. The children must be studying between class 9th to class 12th to avail of this benefit.

By availing the AABY scheme's benefits, the insured person will also be eligible to claim certain tax benefits under Section 80(D) and Section 10(10D) of The Income Tax Act, 1961.

Insured members can approach their nearest Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) branch to solve their queries or issues regarding this scheme.

Eligibility criteria for AABY

As mentioned above, the AABY scheme is meant to benefit the low-income families of India. Below is the basic eligibility requirement for an individual to avail the benefits of this scheme:

• The applicant should be between 18 to 59 years of age.
• The applicant should be the head of the family or its lone earning member, belonging to the EWS, i.e. Below the Poverty Line (BPL), or slightly above the poverty line.
• The individual must belong to a rural landless household.
• The individual must belong to one of the 48 vocational groups, identified as beneficiaries under this scheme.
• Only one member per family can be covered under the scheme.

How to enrol for the AABY scheme?

The process to enrol for the AABY scheme is simple and hassle-free. No lengthy paperwork and documentation is required. However, since this is a Government-sponsored scheme, the process is slightly different from buying a regular insurance plan. Below are the steps one needs to follow:

Step 1 – Download and fill in the Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana application form from the relevant Government website.

Step 2 – Visit the Nodal Agency, an institution or NGO appointed by the Government, to carry out the enrolment process for this scheme.

Step 3 – Submit a specific set of documents along with the application form to the Nodal Agency.

Below are the documents that need to be submitted by the applicant to become a beneficiary under the AABY scheme:

• Duly filled application form
• Proof of identity (voter ID, aadhar card, ration card)
• Address proof
• Age proof, or extract of the applicant from his/her birth certificate or school certificate
• Income or BPL certificate

Once the documents are submitted to the Nodal Agency, the applicant would be enrolled to receive the scheme's benefits.

How to make a claim?

The claim process for this scheme is relatively easy as compared to other health insurance products. In case of a contingency, the insured member or his/her nominee will have to approach the Nodal Agency's designated personnel. While filing a claim, the claimant will have to submit the relevant documents such as death certificate of the insured person, autopsy report (in case of accidental death), copy of FIR, medical proof of disability, etc.

After receiving the relevant documents, the Nodal Agency officer will begin the process to verify the claim's authenticity. Once the claim is verified, the beneficiary amount will be transferred to the targeted bank account through the National Electronic Fund Transfer (NEFT) process.

In a first-of-its-kind, ICICI Lombard General Insurance has come up with India’s first artificial intelligence-powered system to automate health insurance claims. While earlier the claims settlement process was a cumbersome one involving multiple persons, taking time, the AI-powered system aided by OCR can carry out the entire process in just a minute.

The AI-based system also aims to bring down the turnaround time for investigation of health insurance claims down to a day or even less. Girish Nayak, Chief, (service, operations and technology) at ICICI Lombard said that the moment a claim is raised, it gets into the queue and an investigator is notified about it on their app. Earlier, the investigation process, depending on its extensiveness, would take multiple days to complete.

Commenting on the new initiative, Sanjeev Mantri, Executive Director at ICICI Lombard said that since understanding medical diagnosis is a complex activity, the company has deployed AI technology. He further added that the system would help in better detection of frauds. He also pointed out a case where the consent for a cashless request for a patient admitted to a hospital in Vishakhapatnam was granted within a minute.

However, it’s essential to note that the system fails to work in case a proposal acceptance is refused. In such cases, an alert is raised, and the papers are scrutinized manually. Nevertheless, the AI-powered system from ICICI Lombard is another example of insurers deploying AI and technology to expedite claims settlement and enhance customer experience. Notably, it is already using AI for claim settlement related to cataract, hysterectomy, appendicitis and haemodialysis.