One of the fastest-growing segments in India, the country’s health insurance sector has registered a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 23% for the last 10 years [1]. While growing awareness among the masses regarding healthcare is one of the major catalysts behind this growth, digitisation has further given the industry a major push.

The industry, too, is leaving no stone unturned to make the most of the digitisation wave to enhance customer experience and make health insurance plans available to all. Read on to know how the industry is leveraging digitisation to boost its penetration.

Selling health insurance plans online

A primarily agent-driven industry, health insurers today are banking on the increasing penetration of the web to sell policies, particularly to millennials. A survey found about 30% of people in the age group of 25-34 years [2] buy health insurance plans online.

Buying online health insurance has its advantages. You can fill up the proposal form, upload the relevant documents, pay the premium and you’ll be done. There are no intermediaries involved, and insurers save on commissions. As a result, you get to insure your health at an affordable premium

Improve customer experience

The digitisation wave is helping health insurers improve the customer experience. Today, you can gather information about a new policy, check the status of your application or claim, and renew the plan online in a few clicks.

By integrating advanced action-oriented chatbots on websites, health insurers are elevating the customer experience to the next level. The advanced chatbots, integrated with artificial intelligence and machine learning, based on the queries decipher what you are looking for and make suggestions accordingly. Today, they can also help you do mundane tasks such as filling up the proposal form

Better underwriting

The crux of insurance, underwriting helps in better risk assessment and compute premium(s) accordingly. With rising cases of frauds in the sector, insurers have tightened their underwriting process of late. However, they face a challenge to ensure that genuine customers don’t suffer due to frauds committed by others and get adequately rewarded.

Digitalisation is helping health insurers overcome this challenge with ease. With Wearable devices are going to rule the future of your healthcare health insurers can extract crucial information about your lifestyle, which goes a long way in risk assessment and compute premium accordingly.

For instance, if you are leading a healthy life, insurers can know it through vital data such as your BMI, heart rate, sleep hours, etc. In such a scenario, when you renew your health insurance policy, the premium amount will come down.

Craft tailor-made products and be competitive

Personalisation is the new-age success mantra. Every industry is looking to craft tailor-made products, as per the needs of customers, and strike a chord with the target segment. The key data of the target audience is aiding health insurers create products suiting the needs of their customers.

For example, health insurers can better understand the diseases affecting senior citizens such as Alzheimer’s and are coming up with specific mediclaim policy for this ailment. Some insurers are even adding coverage for this disease in their existing plans. Along with personalisation, it’s important to innovate.

If your #wellnessgoals2020 included glowing skin, clean eating and a healthier you, here's one organ you should be paying careful attention. Kidneys are an essential body organ which absorbs minerals and nutrients, act as filters for toxins and maintain healthy acid to alkaline ratio. However, there are certain habits which can damage them, leading to various ailments in the process.

Smoking

Smoking not only increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases but also narrows the blood vessels present in the kidneys, causing arteriosclerosis in the renal arteries.

A habit which damages arterial branches, smoking also reduces blood flow in the kidneys and expedites loss of kidney function. Therefore, to protect your organs, it's in your interest to quit smoking at the earliest.

Not urinating enough

This is another habit which is significantly bad for kidney health. If you don't urinate enough, the body and the kidneys retain all the toxins meant to be flushed out.

Over time this could lead to the formation of Lifestyle changes to keep kidney stones away that are quite painful. Also, it could result in developing of urinary incontinence, a condition which leads to leaking urine during coughing or sneezing.

Not drinking enough water

For the kidneys to properly function, they need to remain hydrated. This is possible only when you drink enough water. Lack of adequate water in the system leads to toxins getting accumulated in the blood. An easy way to find out if you are drinking enough water or not is to check your urine. If your urine is dark, it means the water intake is insufficient.

Consuming too many sweets

It's hard to resist the temptation for sweets, but eating too many of them too often can damage your kidneys. As per a study, consuming a lot of sweets could lead to a rise in the levels of uric acid, leading to cardiorenal diseases in the long run. If you have diabetes, consuming sweets can worsen the problem. Therefore, make sure to consume food that is low on sugar. For packaged foods, read the label before consumption.

Too much salt intake

This is another habit which can have a detrimental effect on your kidneys. Several people have the habit of adding extra salt to their food while eating. Consuming too much salt can raise blood pressure and may even lead to kidney stones. Hence, make sure to limit your daily salt intake for better kidney health. If you are an adult, you shouldn't consume more than 1 teaspoon of salt in a day.

Skipping exercise

Regular exercise not only keeps your body in top shape but also has a positive impact on your kidneys. Exercise keeps your blood pressure and diabetes in check, and weight loss positively affects renal function.

Therefore, make sure to take some time out of your schedule and exercise regularly to maintain healthy body weight.

Swallowing painkillers often

Most people, even in the slightest of pain, consume painkillers. While they do help to subside the pain, taking these pills frequently can adversely affect the kidneys. Consuming painkillers, known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), often can make the body hold onto fluids, and this can damage kidneys in the long run. Before consuming them, it's essential to check with your doctor first.

Not eating right

To keep your kidneys healthy, plan your meals properly. Note that eating healthy always doesn't necessarily mean that you are eating right. If your kidneys are strained, then it's essential to avoid food that is high on phosphorus such as tomatoes, phosphorus-rich oatmeal, oranges, fish, meat and colas.

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.

Ways to stay in shape along with a routine 9-5 job

Workouts are optimised around physiology and what we know about our body. Humans generally have a good capacity to expand energy for many hours during sustained exertion.

For working people, long working hours are one of the most common reasons for not exercising. However for runners, the challenge is to be a ‘Ninja’ and plan stealthy workouts when the schedule is overflowing.

Key Work-outs

There are few key work-outs that every runner must plan for the week and are very essential. Typically these would be speed sessions, strength work-outs and long runs. This way there is time to recover and then run hard. The first run can be planned at the start of the week followed by the strength workout on Wednesday and long run towards the weekend.

It is very important to warm up before all of your key workouts to elevate heart and respiration rates along with proper resting period as the body gets catabolic (the breakdown of tissues) when it hits aerobic capacity for too long. Short and Intense runs are good for speed work. 50m sprints would be helpful to move feet quickly and adapt a good running technique. The session need not last more than 60-90 minutes.

Plan repeat runs against a hill or up-slope to build running strength. Butt kicks can be done on the way down. Long runs need to be faster than the average pace needed for the next race. The idea is to run negative splits - to finish faster than you start. It can improve mental toughness and build pace awareness.

The history of getting tattooed goes into the deep past of early divisions of Stone Age. However, in recent times, tattooing has become increasingly popular and has unfurled itself across professionals, genders, different economic classes, and various age groups.

For some, getting inked is a fashion statement, for some, it’s a source of inspiration and for some, it’s a way to express their love and ideology, while for others it’s a creative art. No matter what your purpose is, it’s important to be well informed of the process and be adequately prepared before going under the needle to avoid its ill effects on your body.

Here we’ve compiled a list of points that you should keep in mind before getting yourself inked:

Be sure about your decision

It’s imperative for you to be certain about your decision. Understand that tattoos are somewhat permanent in nature. Yes, they can be removed using laser treatment, but that’s a long and expensive process. In case of large and detailed tattoos, getting them off can be too frustrating. Also, keep in mind that with time, the color of the tattoo will fade, and its shape may also change owing to the changing folds of your skin with growing age.

Know how it will affect your body

The tattoo is created using a needle that ruptures your skin and deposit the tattoo ink at the point of rupture. The puncture goes beyond the epidermis, for the ink to stay. The needle reaches the dermis where it meets with the nerves and blood vessels. The ink used for tattooing is not exclusively made for the human skin.

Also, it has been found that over the time, these pigments can assimilate in the liver through blood. Hence, before getting inked, be sure about your body will react to such foreign particles.

Know your pain tolerance

As mentioned above, tattoo needle penetrates deep into your skin to deposit the ink beyond the epidermis. Be informed that this can be a painful process. Hence, before you get under the needle, be aware of your ability to bear such pain and for how long you can sustain it, so as not to abandon the process in between, which may make it look ugly.

Get a cost estimation

Do not go after the cheaper options while getting yourself tattooed. It’s better to shell out few bucks from your pocket now rather than getting your skin infected with inferior quality inks and regret later. Also, ask the tattoo artist about the healing process and the maintenance costs post-tattoo. Before starting with the process, make sure you have a fair idea about the total amount of money that you would have to spend during the whole process.

Cataract is a vision disorder that can lead to blindness. Read on to know more about its prevention.

According to a WHO report, cataracts are responsible for 51% of world blindness. It is also the main cause of vision loss in people over the age of 40, which makes preventing cataract essential. Before taking precautionary measures, it’s important to understand what cataract is and what are its effects.

What Is Cataract?

Cataract is clouding of the eye lens, which results in blurred vision. It occurs due to accumulation of protein on the lens surface, which blocks light to reach the retina. This results in reduced visual acuity and blurred vision, which makes things appear as if looking through a foggy window. Symptoms of cataract include blurred vision, frequent change in eyeglass prescription, increased sensitivity to light, seeing halos around bright lights, or double vision.

Risk Factors for Developing Cataract

Several risk factors contribute to the development of cataract, age being the most common one. The risk factors include:

• Age: There is a greater risk of developing cataract as you grow older. This is because of exposure to environmental factors such as UV light, smoke, and other health disorders that lead to cataract.


• Gender: Women have a higher chance of getting cataracts than men. Studies have linked this to menopause, which causes decrease in oestrogen levels leading to the development of cataracts.


• Health conditions: Health conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity are also known to increase the risk of cataracts.


• Environmental conditions: Exposure to UV rays and smoke directly affect vision and make one more susceptible to developing cataracts.

Cataract Prevention Methods

While there are debates on whether cataract can be prevented, research shows that there are measures you can take to reduce the risk of getting cataract. Here are some ways that can reduce your chances of getting cataract:

• Lifestyle habits: Excessive smoking and alcohol consumption severely affect your eye health. Both these habits increase the chances of developing cataract. Reducing or quitting them is advisable for reducing the risk of cataract and an overall improvement in your health.


• Diet: Ensure inclusion of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that promote eye health in your diet. Dark green leafy vegetable such as spinach, kale, turnip, etc. improve eye health. Besides this, sources of omega-3 fatty acids such as fresh water fish and flaxseed further reduce the risk.


• Steroid medication: Usage of steroid medicine is said to increase the chances of developing cataracts. Know the risk factors or consult your eye doctor before starting new medication. It is better to avoid them unless specified by an ophthalmologist.


• Protect your eyes: Exposure to UV rays hastens the development of cataract, even in younger patients. Always shield your eyes from UV rays, either with a wide-brimmed hat or sunglasses with UV protection while outdoors.


• Diabetes: Studies show that diabetics are more prone to developing a cataract. It’s necessary for these patients to maintain their blood sugar to prevent cataracts. Take proper medication to keep a tab on your diabetes.


• Regular check-ups: Schedule regular eye exams, especially as you grow older. Your eye doctor can detect cataract and other vision disorders when you cannot. With early detection, your doctor can prescribe the best treatment for you.

In addition to the physical suffering and mental trauma, cancer also comes with a massive financial burden. This blog talks about how to choose the right health insurance plan with cancer coverage.

Cancer awareness is essential in order to take an informed decision

In spite of the progress in research and technology, cancer is still one of the most lethal diseases out there. While there are no guaranteed ways of reducing the risk of cancer, there is a responsible decision you can make to reduce the financial burden in the face of such odds. That is choosing a right insurance cover.

Need for Health Insurance with Cancer Cover

The thought of being diagnosed with cancer is frightening but what’s more distressing is the probability of that becoming reality. About 70 to 90 percent of all cancers are because of environmental factors instead of the genetic make-up. It is crucial to protect yourself by opting for health insurance with cancer cover.

Cancer is a very taxing disease, physically , emotionally, and financially. Cancer treatment involves massive costs that keep increasing as the disease progresses. The last thing a person suffering with cancer needs is the burden of the heavy treatment costs. A health insurance with cancer cover will be a much needed source of relief in such stressful times.

When choosing a policy, you must compare quotes from different insurers to find a plan that fits your budget. Make sure to determine how much coverage you need, depending on potential medical expenses, including treatments, hospitalisation, ambulance costs and other associated costs.

Types of Cancer Covered by Insurance Plans

Most insurance plans with cancer cover various types of cancers like lung cancer, stomach cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer, and more, depending on the plan you opt for.

Coverage Against Multiple Stages of Cancer

There are four stages of cancer ranging from the early stage to the critical stage. An important thing to keep in mind while getting cancer cover with health insurance is to check whether it covers all the stages and meets the financial demands of each stage.

Term of the Plan and Tax Benefits

The term of the plan is essential. Some plans have maximum term of 20 years, which may seem like a long time now but if you get it at 30, it will cease to cover you once you turn 50. You should go through the term of different plans carefully and choose the one that suits your needs.

Also remember, under section 80D of the Income Tax Act, cancer insurance plans are liable to avail tax benefits.

Things to Consider

There are a few things you need to consider before you buy health insurance with cancer coverage. You need to check if the insurance will support critical illness treatment costs even after the first diagnosis, whether the benefits differ depending on the different stages of cancer and if there will be a waiver of premium upon diagnosis.

Now that you know the need and benefits of a cancer cover, make it a point to have it included in your health insurance plan.

Taking care of autistic kids is expensive, making a special cover for them a necessity

The number of children living with developmental disabilities like autism is on the rise. Globally, 1 in 68 children are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), as per the statistics from the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network.

In such a situation, general insurance companies are looking to provide covers for the disease or at least specific add-ons to existing health insurance policies.

Current Situation

Currently, there are very few policies in the health insurance market to cover autism-related expenses. More often than not, parents cover the expenses for the treatment of this disease from their own pocket, and usually also have to create a corpus for their child’s lifetime, since the child may not be able to work.

The Indian government however, has done something to combat this situation. The government offers a health insurance scheme called ‘Niramaya’, which offers a sum assured of up to ₹1 lakh for the treatment and care of children with developmental disabilities like autism, cerebral palsy and so on.

The scheme covers outpatient treatments including those for pre-existing ailments, and expenses for corrective surgeries and non-surgical hospitalisation. It comes at an annual premium of ₹250 for families with a monthly income of less than ₹15,000, and an annual premium of ₹500 for those with a monthly income higher than ₹15,000.

Among private insurers though, there aren’t many schemes that offer a special cover for developmental disabilities. This is because they are not sure of the viability of launching standalone health insurance policies for autism and other such developmental disorders.

Coverage Required

However, the question arises of whether the cover of ₹1 lakh that the government scheme offers is actually enough. You see, ASD affects a child’s development including his/her speech, gestural, non-verbal and social interaction with his/her peers. So, it’s not just paediatrics that needs to be taken care of with ASD; therapy for all the above also becomes necessary.

That is to say, an autistic child would require multi-disciplinary treatment. So, along with regular visits to a paediatrician, they would need assistance and care from a psychiatrist, a counsellor, a special educator, a speech therapist and an occupational therapist. Consulting all of these people is quite expensive, and can lead to the annual cost of treatment being as high as ₹2-3 lakh.

Moreover, children with ASD are accident-prone, and the treatment and care for these accidents further add to the cost of treatment. Therefore, one would require a cover of minimum ₹4-5 lakh to cover the complete cost of treatment for autism.

Mr. Sanjay Datta, Chief - Underwriting and Claims, ICICI Lombard General Insurance, believes that adding a customised offering for autism to an existing health insurance product could go a long way in providing financial relief to parents with autistic children.

There are some key differences that make super top-ups highly beneficial.

Inflation and demand for specialty healthcare have led to a rise in basic medical expenses. In case of hospitalisation and a claim, one often realises that while having a complete health insurance policy was a great financial decision, the sum assured was a constrain. It is often noted that rising healthcare costs render the cover insufficient.

Thankfully, you can avoid such a situation by opting for either a top-up plan or a super top-up plan. In some cases, a third alternative is to opt for an additional policy. However, for most cases, a top-up is the ideal way ahead as it enhances the sum assured of your base plan to cover the shortfall. Let us learn more about Top-Ups and Super Top-Ups:

Top-Up Plans

The Top-Up allows you to make a claim that exceeds the deductible value & the sum assured of the base policy during a single hospitalisation. All claims are treated individually in this cover and multiple claims under the same policy period are not aggregated. The deductible is the limit set in your policy schedule.

Super Top-Ups

A Super Top-Up pays claims for cumulative medical expenses within a policy year once it exceeds the deductible and the sum assured of the base policy. It offers coverage not payable by your top-up or base plan. Such a plan can be availed from any insurer and is not limited to your base policy insurer.

While both top-ups kick in only after the claim amount exceeds the deductible and the sum assured of the base policy, the difference lies in its working. The illustration below will help you better understand how both these plans are beneficial.

So you’ve opted for health insurance to safeguard your finances against the soaring healthcare costs. Now that you have this assurance, it is important to understand how the claim process works to ensure smooth proceedings during an emergency.

 Opposed to common belief, the health insurance claim process is relatively easy. By understanding this, you can simplify claim filing and ensure timely settlements. Whether you are going for a cashless facility or reimbursement, this blog is your guide to all the steps to a successful health insurance claim.

How to Make a Health Insurance Claim?

To make a successful insurance claim, you should be familiar with the policy's terms, inclusions, exclusions, and limits. Follow these steps to initiate a claim-

1. Inform your insurance provider about the medical treatment or hospitalisation immediately.
2. Check the health insurance plan paper and collect all required documents for filing a claim.
3. Submit the claim following the guidelines provided by your insurer.
4. Keep track of the claim process through the online portal or customer service of the insurance provider.

Types of Health Insurance Claims 

Health insurance claims can be divided into two types- cashless and reimbursement claims. Both have unique processes and specific documentation requirements.

Cashless Claims

Cashless claims can be made at a network hospital only. Once your claim is approved, the amount will be paid directly to the hospital without your further involvement.

Reimbursement Claims

Reimbursement claims can be filed for treatment in a non-network or a network hospital. Post-hospitalisation, you have to pay for all the expenses immediately and file for reimbursement later.

Step-by-Step Procedure for Filing a Cashless Health Insurance Claim

Follow these steps if you are opting for a cashless insurance claim:

1. Choose a network hospital of the insurance provider for getting treatment.
2. Inform the insurer about the planned or emergency hospitalisation.
3. Submit the pre-authorisation form at the hospital.
4. Get the pre-authorisation approved by the insurer.
5. The insurance provider will take care of the bills.

Step-by-Step Procedure for Filing a Reimbursement Claim

For reimbursement claims, no pre-authorisation form is generally needed. However, after discharge, you need to submit all the documents on the out-of-pocket expenses. You can mail these documents along with the duly filled claim form to your service provider or TPA.

1. Notify the insurer about the hospitalisation
2. Pay the medical bills upfront
3. Collect the hospital bills, medicine prescriptions, and test reports
4. Fill out the claim form, attach the required documents, and submit.
5. Await the review and processing of the claim by the insurer.

Types of Hospitalisations Covered by Health Insurance Claims

The most common types of hospitalisations covered by medical insurance providers are-

1. Planned Hospitalisation: For elective surgeries or treatments scheduled in advance
2. Emergency Hospitalisation: Unplanned medical situations that require immediate attention
3. Day-care Treatment: Medical procedure that does not need 24-hour hospitalisation
4. Domiciliary Hospitalisation: Treatments done at home due to the inability to transfer the patient to a medical unit

In the case of planned hospitalisation at a network hospital, the specified time required to intimate your insurance company is at least 1-2 days in advance. For emergency hospitalisation, you have to inform the insurer within 24 hours.

Documents Needed to File a Health Insurance Claim

Before filling out a health insurance claim, make sure to have the following documents ready-

1. Completed claim form 
2. Original hospital bills with a breakdown of the cost
3. A summary of hospitalisation and treatments or discharge summary
4. Prescription, test reports, and diagnostic results
5. Identity proof of the policyholder or patient
6. Bank details in case of reimbursement claims

Things to Consider While Applying for a Health Insurance Claim

There are certain points that you need to know before applying for a health insurance claim-

1. Waiting Period: Ensure the policy covers the health condition without any waiting period restrictions.
2. Deadlines: All claims must be submitted on time to ensure smooth processing.
3. Network Hospitals: Check the hospitals on the insurance provider’s network to benefit from a cashless claim facility. 
4. Pre-existing Conditions: See if the insurance claim covers pre-existing health conditions.

Tips to Avoid Health Insurance Claim Rejections

Notifying the insurer on time, providing correct information, and submitting completed documents are some of the important steps to avoid claim rejections.

Make sure to-

• Disclose accurate personal and medical details while buying the policy
• Adhere to the terms of the policy
• Submit all required documents with claim form
• Inform the policy provider on time about hospitalisation
• Review all forms and fills before submitting

Steps to Check the Status of a Health Insurance Claim

You can check the status of your health insurance claim in the following ways-

Website

1. Go to the online portal of the insurance provider.
2. Give your login credentials and the claim reference number to get the status.

Customer care service

1. Call the customer care department of the insurance provider
2. As requested, provide your claim reference number and other details to know the claim status.

Mobile app

1. Download the mobile application of the insurer
2. Login with your details
3. Enter your policy number and get the status of your claim.

Email updates

 Check your inbox for any status updates sent from the insurance provider.

FAQS

1. What is the difference between cashless and reimbursement claims?

Cashless claims are direct settlements between the insurance provider and the hospital, while reimbursement claims include the policyholder, who the insurer repays after the hospital bills have been paid upfront.

2. Can I file a claim for pre-existing conditions?

You can file a claim for pre-existing conditions after the waiting period as specified by the policy.

3. When does a claim get rejected?

A claim can be rejected due to non-disclosure of important information, delay in claim filing, or in case the medical condition is beyond the coverage provided by the policy. Always provide correct details and adhere to important deadlines to avoid a claim rejection.

4. What happens if a claim is rejected?

In case of a claim rejection, you can contact the insurance provider with additional documents or clarification and follow their guidelines to clear the issue.

5. Can I file multiple claims in a year?

Yes, if the total claim amount is under the sum insured by the policy, you can file for more than one claim in a year.

6. Can I make a yearly claim for insurance?

Yes, you can make a yearly claim on your health insurance within the limit allowed by the policy.

7. What is a claim investigation?

Claim investigation helps insurance companies analyse and differentiate fraudulent claims from genuine ones. Your claim form and documents will be thoroughly scrutinised and a suitable decision will be made. Therefore, ensure you fill in the details correctly in the form and submit the documents as per the requirement.

Conclusion

Having a health insurance plan is not enough, timely filing of claims during an emergency is essential to gain complete benefit of the policy. The claim process is simple to ensure the policyholder gets the required financial support during a health crisis. However, it is essential to be familiar with the steps of filing a claim and the necessary documents required to ensure the procedure is hassle-free.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a certified medical and/or nutrition professional for any questions. Relying on any information provided in this blog is solely at your own risk, and ICICI Lombard is not responsible for any effects or consequences resulting from the use of the information shared.  

In today's times, when critical illnesses and medical inflation are on the rise, a wellness program comes as a relief for policyholders. Read on to understand wellness programs and their benefits.

What is a wellness program?

ICICI Lombard General Insurance offers wellness program along with your health insurance policy or super top-up plan. Through it, you, as a policyholder, are rewarded with wellness points for keeping yourself hale and hearty by pursuing any of the activities covered. These points can be redeemed later as per the redemption terms and conditions, subject to a maximum.

Why should I opt for a wellness program with my health insurance policy?

According to a recent report published by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the probability of death in India from the four major non-communicable diseases – cancer, cardiovascular, chronic respiratory,and diabetes,is 26% for individuals aged 30-70 years. Let us have a look at the probable underlying causes:

As evident, these four diseases can be prevented or controlled with a small yet significant change in lifestyle. While diseases caused by heredity, radiation and infections are not avoidable after a certain extent, tobacco use and sedentary lifestyle should be controlled to ensure a long and healthy life.

Home insurance premiums may be exempted in the future

Fiscal Support Needed for Home Insurance

Insurance is a way of protecting oneself from a financial loss. It provides the insured a hedge against unforeseen loss events. General insurance provides protection against loss to property, unanticipated expenses, or future income.

The government strives to improve insurance penetration, both life and non-life. It provides tax exemption for the amounts paid as premium for life insurance as well as health insurance.

The government is also involved in creating capacity for insuring risks from terrorism and motor third party damage. Property insurance is of equal importance. Almost every business entity insures its property – factory and/or office premises. Home insurance is as good as non-existent.

Individuals Consider Home Insurance Avoidable

There is an absolute lack of awareness about home insurance. Even the sections of the population that are aware of and avail life and health insurance are ignorant of the importance of insuring their homes and belongings. It does not cost much but the premium for home insurance is considered a cost that can be avoided. General insurance companies have negligible portfolios of home insurance.

Know how an in-patient AYUSH cover can benefit you and your family

In 2013, the Insurance Regulatory Development Authority of India (IRDAI) asked health insurance companies to provide cover for Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH) treatments. Similarly, there are several ongoing government initiatives also, to promote alternative medicine, including the promise for an All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)-like Ayurveda hospital.

In November 2014, the Department of AYUSH was elevated by forming a government body – Ministry of AYUSH – in order to develop education and research in the natural medicine departments and therefore make maximum medical assistance available to patients.

The departments include Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH) as well as other alternative medicine systems. The Department of Indian Systems of Medicine and Homeopathy was started in March 1995, whereas the name AYUSH was coined in March 2003.

Despite such government initiatives and interventions to popularize AYUSH, both the rural and urban Indian population are still largely inclined towards allopathic treatments. According to the National Sample Survey Organization (NSSO), 90% of the Indian population – both rural and urban – prefer allopathic treatments over alternative healthcare options.

However, AYUSH offers several benefits over allopathy, especially for recuperation from critical illnesses like cancer. It is believed to cause minimum side effects and considered to focus on treating the cause of the disease rather than just the symptoms. The treatment methods use organic components and are more cost effective.

AYUSH Benefits Under Your Health Insurance Policy

With the IRDAI move asking insurers to provide cover for AYUSH treatments, the demand for health insurance for alternative treatments has increased to some extent. An AYUSH cover in your health insurance policy covers in-patient hospitalization expenses.

The medical expenses incurred for in-patient treatment taken under Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy will be covered in the policy. We also reimburse enrolment fees paid by the policyholder to Yoga institutes as part of our preventive and wellness healthcare add-on. The sum insured for this benefit ranges from ₹2,500- ₹20,000 depending on the plan.

Life is full of uncertainties and health insurance is the best way of protecting yourself from them. Often people insure their health, home and assets but ignore their source of income. An accident can leave you partially or permanently disabled for the rest of your life and result in loss of income.

A majority of casualties arise due to road accidents and the numbers of accidents have increased in the past few years. Most accident-related policies have a permanent or partial disability cover where a fixed percentage of sum insured is paid to the policyholder depending on the nature of disability.

While choosing a policy you must opt for income protection benefits depending on your monthly expenditure. The benefits of monthly income are triggered only in the event of death or permanent disability. For temporary disability, income protection benefit would be available only for a brief period.

India has seen significant changes due to advancements in the medical and healthcare industries. The development of effective immunizations and treatment plans, coupled with the importance of health insurance, has led to the eradication of many deadly diseases. However, the country is still challenged by some killer diseases that just don't seem to declare exodus.

Here is a list of top ten killer death diseases in India:

1. Cardiovascular Diseases
   

This amounts to about 24.8% deaths in the country. Although preventable, the disease is killing more people each year. Understanding the causes and following precautions can help preventing the disease and possibility of death among individuals. It is surprising that heart diseases in India occur 10-15 years earlier than in the west.

Causes of Cardiovascular Diseases

1. Use of tobacco
2. Diet, physical inactivity, and obesity
3. High cholesterol and high blood pressure
4. Heredity

Prevention Methods

1. Quit smoking and use of tobacco
2. Eat a heart healthy diet
3. Maintain healthy weight

2. Respiratory Diseases

These diseases account for 10.2% deaths in India. According to a survey, India accounts for 47 per cent of global measles death!

Causes of Respiratory Diseases

1. Smoking
2. Air pollution
3. Silica dust, Asbesto, grain dust

Prevention Methods
1. Stay active, make sure your workplace is safe
2. Eat a healthy diet
3. Breathe deeply
4. Quit smoking

3. Tuberculosis

The disease accounts for 10.1% deaths in the country.

Causes of Tuberculosis

1. Contagious causes

Prevention Methods

1. Vaccination with BCG vaccine
2. Eat a healthy diet
3. Regular preventative tests

4. Malignant and Other Tumours

About 9.4% people in India die due to malignant and other tumours. Here is a list of causes of tumour development in the body:

Causes of Tumours

1. Chemical or toxic compound exposures
2. Ionizing radiation
3. Pathogens
4. Genetics
5. Some unknown causes

Prevention Methods

1. Avoid tobacco usage
2. Eat a healthy diet
3. Maintain a healthy weight and stay active
4. Get regular medical care and immunization

5. Illdefined Conditions

It is sad but true that around 5.3% population in India die due to III defined conditions due to unknown and undetermined.

Prevention Methods

1. Get regular medical care

6. Digestive Diseases
   

   Disorders related to digestive system accounts to 5.1% of deaths in India. The major cause is negligence of people while consuming food.

Causes of Digestive Diseases

1. Unhealthy food
2. Medications: Aspirin
3. Alcohol and tobacco abuse

Prevention Methods

1. Quit smoking and void use of alcohol
2. Eat a healthy diet
3. Exercise lightly 5 days week
4. Avoid daily use of aspirin, sulpha drugs, and steroids

7. Diarrheal Diseases
   

   About 5.0% people in India die of diarrheal diseases.

Causes of Diarrheal Diseases

1. Food poisoning (bacterial infection)
2. Eating foods that upset the digestive system; allergic food
3. Medications and radiation therapy

Prevention Methods

1. Wash hands frequently
2. Eat a healthy diet
3. Quit alcohol

8. Unintentional Injuries
   

   Accidents cause 4.6% of deaths across the nation. India is rated as the number 1 country when it comes to deaths in road accidents!

Causes of Unintentional Injuries

1. Accidents/disasters

Prevention Methods

1. Drive carefully
2. Carry a first aid kit

9. Intentional Self Harm
   

   Suicide is the second most cause of death among Indians aged 15-29 years. It accounts to 3.0% of total deaths in India.

Causes of Intentional Self Harm

1. Suicide

Prevention Methods

1. Don't stress yourself
2. Talk to loved ones
3. Rehabilitation and counselling

Junk foods can be a treat to the taste buds, but their ill effects are widely known. Consuming them regularly can have adverse effects on your health and may cause irreparable damage to the body. Scientific research has shown that junk food, foods with added sugar, and processed foods, can make you prone to type 2 diabetes and heart diseases. These foods can eventually make your brain weak and non-functional.

Eating junk food affects both your physical and mental health. Let’s deep dive into some details of junk foods and their harmful effects.

Why is Junk Food Unhealthy?

Any food with zero or negligible nutritional value, high in fat and trans fat content, can be termed junk food. Most fast foods, including candy, soft drinks, bakery products, burgers, along with salty and oily foods, can be termed junk food. They are high in calories, salts, and fats, and are usually low in vitamins, minerals, and other nutritional contents. The more we consume these foods, instead of healthier and nutritional options, the less our body will get the essential nutrients and vitamins needed for proper functioning.

Does Eating Junk Foods Cause Health Complications?

Eating junk food regularly can lead to several health complications, while occasional indulgence is unlikely to cause significant harm.

10 Harmful Effects of Junk Food on Health

Consumption of junk food can lead to a lot of health problems. Let’s look at a few of the harmful effects of junk food.

1. Obesity

One of the major harmful effects of junk foods from your favourite fast food restaurantsis obesity and its related health complications. The excessive sugar, calories, and fats present in junk foods contribute to weight gain. Obesity can lead to many medical issues, such as diabetes, joint pain, and heart diseases.

2. Depression

Junk foods are loaded with sugar and fats that can cause certain chemical reactions in the brain, affecting its functioning. The body may lose essential nutrients and amino acids by consuming too much of them. These symptoms can eventually lead to the inability of the brain to deal with stress and can leave you feeling depressed.

3. Loss of memory and learning problems

A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition stated that people who ate junk food performed poorly on cognitive tests. It concluded that junk foods can deteriorate your memory and leave you with a weaker brain. These foods may lead to sudden inflammation in the hippocampus of the brain that is responsible for memory and recognition.

4. Worsens appetite and digestion

Consumption of excess junk food may leave the brain in a dilemma. Excessive sugar intake can cause blood sugar levels to fluctuate and make the brain demand more food, eventually leading to overeating. This can make it difficult for the body to digest excessive junk food.

5. Inadequate growth & development

The deficiency of nutrients and vitamins is one of the many bad effects of junk food. Nutrients and vitamins are essential for the proper growth and development of the body. Unhealthy eating habits, even if they involve consuming junk food in small amounts,combined with an imbalance of fatty acids and the need for nutrients, can hamper the development of your brain and other body parts. Excess soda and sugar intake can also lead to tooth decay and the weakening of bones.

6. Dental Problems

Regularly consuming sugary or processed food, followed by an irregular dental care routine, leads to tooth decay and infections. One of the most common reasons behind cavities is junk food, which is why dentists advise people, especially children, to avoid over-consuming sugar and packaged items.

7. Skin Issues

High sugar, oil content, and glycaemic index found in junk food can lead to acne breakouts and other skin-related conditions. Since gut health has a direct effect on skin and hair, consuming unhealthy foods’ effects are visible on one’s skin.

8. Type 2 Diabetes

High sugar content can lead to insulin resistance, resulting in diabetes and worsening the cases of pre-existing diabetes. Junk food also causes excessive weight gain, which in turn increases insulin resistance in a person.

9. Liver Damage

People who regularly consume junk food, especially fried and processed items, are more prone to develop non-alcoholic fatty liver. The excess fat in these food items is absorbed by the liver. This stresses the organ and hinders its natural function.

How to Reduce the Amount of Junk Food You Consume?

Reducing junk food intake requires conscious effort and planning:

• Meal Preparation: Preparing meals at home ensures control over ingredients and cooking methods.
• Healthy Snacking: Opt for fruits, nuts, and yogurt instead of chips or candies.
• Stay Hydrated: Sometimes, thirst is mistaken for hunger; drinking water can reduce unnecessary snacking.
• Mindful Eating: Pay attention to what and when you eat to avoid impulsive junk food consumption.

How to Make Healthy Food Choices?

Making healthier food choices involves:

• Reading Labels: Understand nutritional information to make informed decisions.
• Balanced Diet: Include a variety of nutrients by consuming different food items.
• Limit Processed Foods: Choose whole foods over processed ones to avoid additives and preservatives.
• Portion Control: Be mindful of serving sizes to prevent overeating.

FAQs

1. Can I eat junk food occasionally?

Yes, occasional indulgence is acceptable, but it should not be a regular part of your diet.

2. Are all fast foods considered junk food?

Not necessarily. Some fast-food options offer healthier choices; it's essential to choose wisely.

3. How can I teach my children to avoid junk food?

Lead by example, provide healthy alternatives, and educate them about nutrition.

4. Does junk food affect mental health?

Yes, studies have shown a correlation between high junk food consumption and increased risk of depression and anxiety.

5. Can exercise offset the effects of junk food?

While exercise is beneficial, it cannot completely counteract the negative impacts of a poor diet.

6. How to identify junk food?

Any food with high fat, sugar, and salt content and low nutritional value is considered junk food. Fast foods, edibles with preservatives, and food items with long shelf life are common types of junk food.

Conclusion

Give a thought to the harmful effects of junk foods before you get into the habit of consuming them. While there is no substitute for proper eating habits and the intake of nutrient-rich food, it would be prudent to arm yourself with a health insurance policy. Why? Well, a health insurance policy can help provide financial coverage against any medical emergency caused by diseases and maladies. Even if you do maintain a healthy and fit lifestyle, a health insurance policy can be a backup for any unfortunate medical incidents or complications.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational purposes only. Please consult a medical or nutrition professional before making any significant changes in your daily diet. Relying on any information provided in this blog is solely at your own risk, and ICICI Lombard is not responsible for any impact or consequences resulting from the use of the information shared. 

In case of planned or emergency hospitalisation, you may want to go to a hospital that’s in your vicinity. If the doctor who’s been treating you works at a particular hospital, chances are you would prefer that one over others. Now, it may be possible that your health insurance company's hospital network doesn't cover your preferred hospital. Then, the only option you would you have at hand is to make a reimbursement claim on your health insurance.

You might have too many doubts about a reimbursement claim that range from what is a reimbursement claim to what you can do to ensure a smooth and speedy settlement of your reimbursement claim. Hence, here we are to help you get acquainted with its complete process and further understand its intricacies.

What is a reimbursement claim?

In a reimbursement claim, you pay the hospitalisation expenses from your pocket, and the health insurance company later pays that amount to you provided you submit all the necessary documents. You will have to apply for a reimbursement claim only if you choose to get your treatment done at a hospital which is not a part of your health insurance company’s hospital network or if you miss opting for a cashless claim.

While making a reimbursement claim, you need to be careful about the coverage of your treatment and related expenses under your family health insurance policy. Your health insurance company can turn down your claim if your policy doesn't cover them.

How is a reimbursement claim different than a cashless claim?

A reimbursement claim can take longer to process than a cashless claim. For a reimbursement claim, you need to ensure you collect and submit all the documents and bills related to your hospitalisation. On the other hand, in a cashless claim, the empanelled hospital will do the job of sending your documents and bills to the insurance company, and the claim will be settled with them directly.

In a reimbursement claim, you have to wait till you get your money reimbursed from the insurance company, whereas in a cashless claim, the insurance company will pay it straight to the hospital. You will only have to bear the expenses that are excluded from your policy or are over your sum insured.

Since your insurance company does not have a tie-up with the hospital, your reimbursement claim will be thoroughly investigated. This may further delay your claim settlement. Cashless claims instead tend to get settled faster and in a hassle-free manner.

When do I need to inform you about my reimbursement claim?

In case of planned hospitalisation, you can inform us two days before admission, and in case of emergency hospitalisation, you need to inform us within 24 hours of hospitalisation.

What are the steps involved in a reimbursement claim?

Unlike cashless claim, you have to take the initiative when it comes to making a reimbursement claim. Here are the steps involved in a reimbursement claim process under our health insurance.

1. Step 1: You intimate the claim

You can call our 24x7 toll-free number 1800 2666 or SMS ‘HEALTHCLAIM’ to 575758 (charge – ₹3 per SMS) or email us at ihealthcare@icicilombard.com to inform us about your hospitalisation.

2. Step 2: You get your papers ready

Once you have made the payment at the hospital, arrange all the documents chronologically. Start from the original bills for doctor’s consultation, X-ray and other medical expenses to your discharge summary, medical reports and hospital bill. With us, you can also include the bills of your medical expenses 30 days before hospitalisation and 60 days after.