While health insurance for HIV patients in India has improved in recent years, it remains limited. Insurance providers offer some benefits, including in-hospital care, but accessing healthcare services can still be a challenge for those living with HIV. A comprehensive approach is needed to address these challenges and ensure HIV-positive patients receive the care and support necessary to maintain their health and well-being. Living with HIV can significantly impact a person’s health, weakening the immune system and leaving him/her vulnerable to illnesses. As a result, insurance companies often hesitate to provide health coverage to individuals living with HIV, which further increases the challenges they face
Does Health Insurance Cover HIV?
Disability rights groups have long recognised the need for insurance coverage for people with disabilities, including those living with HIV/AIDS. However, progress has been slow in this area, and these individuals have often faced discrimination when it comes to accessing healthcare.
Fortunately, recent developments in India have brought about a positive change. Following the Delhi High Court direction, the IRDAI has mandated private insurers create policies specifically catering to vulnerable groups, including health insurance covering HIV treatment.
This initiative aims to ensure everyone has access to appropriate and quality healthcare, regardless of their medical history and represents a significant step forward for enforcing rights in India.
Why Is Health Insurance For HIV/AIDs Patients Necessary?
In India, health insurance coverage for HIV-positive patients is generally limited, with most insurance companies refusing to issue healthcare plans. However, a few insurance providers offer benefits to HIV-positive patients, which can significantly relieve those living with the condition.
- One of the benefits available via medical insurance for HIV patients is in-hospital care, which covers all expenses related to in-patient care. This includes physician fees, nursing charges, surgery costs, and diagnostic tests. This ensures that individuals can receive comprehensive medical treatment for their condition without facing financial constraints.
- Some insurers provide pre- and post-hospital care, which covers healthcare expenses before and after hospitalisation.
- Emergency ambulance services are also available for transportation to and from the hospital, ensuring patients receive prompt medical attention in an emergency.
Some HIV positive health insurance providers offer coverage for daycare treatment, i.e., treatment at a daycare facility or hospitalisation for less than 24 hours.
What Are The Challenges Faced In Offering Health Insurance For HIV/Aids Patients?
Managers, policy-makers, physicians, and counsellors have identified several difficulties in offering Mediclaim for HIV patients. This includes challenges people living with HIV (PLHIV) face in accessing service centres.
- One of the most common issues is the long distances that PLHIV must undertake to reach the service centres, compounded by their financial difficulties. As a result, many patients need help to afford to commute to these centres.
- Limited counselling centres make it even more challenging for such patients to access specialised services and care.
- Insufficient awareness about HIV/AIDS in the community and among medical staff leads to a lack of timely referrals to services.