About Diabetes
Diabetes is a metabolic disorder in which glucose levels increase in your blood. Normally, whatever you eat gets broken down into glucose, which then gets converted into energy by a hormone called insulin in your body. However, if you have diabetes, your body either does not produce insulin or does not use it well. This leads to increased levels of glucose in your blood.
Diabetes is of two types, type 1, wherein your body does not make insulin, and type 2, in which your body does not make enough or use insulin well. Type 1 diabetes is called insulin-dependent because of a complete lack of insulin in the body, while type 2 usually occurs in people after the age of 30, due to advancing age.
Over time, if one does not take medical support for such a condition, then it can cause severe damage to eyes, nerves, and kidney. Diabetes also increases the risk of heart diseases like strokes and may even require removal of a limb. Gestational diabetes is also common among pregnant women.
Exercising, eating a healthy diet and weight control are some ways to keep your diabetes in check. You should also monitor your glucose levels regularly along with taking prescribed medicines to reduce the risk of other related health challenges.
Diabetes, the fastest growing disease in India
Diabetes is one of the most talked-about conditions in the world. Characterized by high sugar or glucose levels in the blood, this disorder is caused due to absence or irregularities in insulin secretion. There are two types of diabetes, type 1 and type 2, wherein type 1 the body does not produce any insulin at all, while in type 2, the body does not provide much insulin or does not use it to the best. In both cases, there is a high level of sugar present in the patient’s bloodstream.
India is called the ‘Diabetes Capital of the World’, with more than 50 million people suffering from type 2 diabetes. Moreover, this disease is fast catching up even with the younger generation nowadays. The WHO states that by 2030, about 87 million people in India will have diabetes.
The reason for the alarming growth rate of diabetes is the lifestyle choices made by people these days. That is why doctors suggest exercising, not consuming aerated drinks and getting enough sleep to keep diabetes at bay.
Plus, it is also essential to regularly monitor sugar levels and take proper medication to keep diabetes in control.
How does health insurance help diabetic patients?
Diabetes is a metabolic disorder in which a person suffers from high blood sugar or glucose levels in the body. This is due to insufficient or improper secretion of insulin by the pancreas, which regulates the breakdown of sugar into energy. This is a chronic illness that has long term effects on the body. Moreover, along with its symptoms, diabetes also increases the risk of other health issues like strokes and damage to eyes, kidney, and nerves.
It is because of this reason that it is crucial for those having this illness to keep themselves secure against other ailments. In a health insurance plan, diabetes is considered a pre-existing illness. So, firstly, you can get a health insurance policy even if you have diabetes. However, your claim will be valid only after you complete the waiting period.
So, with such a plan, if you develop any diabetes-related health issue, you will receive comprehensive financial coverage for the same. This will cover your treatment cost and medical expenditure.
Features of Diabetes Health Insurance
Diabetes Health Insurance is a specialized healthcare policy, which secures all those who suffer from high blood sugar levels. Diabetes, caused due to insufficient or improper insulin secretion, further becomes a cause for other grave ailments like heart stroke, loss of eye vision, and kidney damage. Therefore, diabetes health insurance covers you against the financial cost resulting from all diabetes-related problems.
The insurance plan covers hospitalization costs related to any complications arising out of diabetes, such as renal failure and bypass surgery. Not only that, outpatient expenses incurred during pre and post hospitalisation are also covered. You can either make a cashless or a reimbursement claim.
India is expected to have 123 million diabetes cases by 2040, according to estimates by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). Since, the diabetes health insurance plan is a specialised plan that will provide immediate and comprehensive coverage for any complication or disease related to diabetes, therefore, investing in this supplementary plan will be worth your money.
Eligibility for Diabetes Health Insurance Plan
Diabetes cannot prevent you from getting a health insurance policy. If you’re diagnosed with Diabetes at the time of purchasing the policy, you will have a pre-existing illness. However, you cannot be denied the policy cover on the grounds of having this illness already. As an applicant with pre-existing illness, you will only have to pay a higher premium because of your increased risk in the future.
You will need to undergo a medical examination to establish your current health condition for the insurer. The insurer may also ask certain questions related to your illnesses. You must not hide anything from the insurer. Although you might have to pay a higher premium as a person with diabetes, not sharing information about your condition when purchasing the policy is a breach of contract. Doing so may result in your claim getting rejected at a crucial time when you need financial assistance.
Moreover, your claim will be accepted after the expiry of the waiting period. We settle claims related to pre-existing illnesses only after a waiting period of 48 months.
What does Diabetes Health Insurance cover?
Diabetes has become a very common ailment among people these days. A chronic illness, this refers to a condition of high blood sugar levels in the body. Although manageable, this illness makes a person more vulnerable to other health ailments like heart strokes and organ damage. Due to this kind of risk attached to this metabolic disorder, a diabetic person needs to secure themselves with a Diabetes health insurance plan.
A diabetes health insurance plan covers all the complications associated with this metabolic issue, such as strokes, kidney damage, vision loss and limb amputation. If, as a person with diabetes, you suffer from any of these problems, then the health insurance plan shall cover you for the treatment costs related to them. Such a plan will keep you secure financially against diabetes-related health problems.
How to claim diabetes health insurance
Diabetes is a chronic illness that stays throughout an individual’s life. It is considered as a pre-existing disease under health insurance.
So, if at the time of purchasing health insurance or a critical insurance cover, you already have diabetes, then a waiting period will apply to you before you can make your claim. Our policy covers pre-existing illnesses after a waiting period of 2 years from the policy purchase date.
Who Can Buy Diabetes Health Insurance?
Health insurance for diabetics is highly beneficial for people who need it the most. Such a plan can be bought by individuals suffering from Diabetes Mellitus Type 2, Diabetes Mellitus Type 1, pre-diabetes, and hypertension.
What Is the Sum Insured for Diabetics Health Insurance?
A person with diabetes can choose a sum insured from ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh. However, a more enhanced plan which covers pre-existing diseases like diabetes can offer coverage up to ₹1 Crore.
What Is the Waiting Period for Diabetic Health Insurance?
Generally, health insurance policies covering diabetes as a pre-existing disease have a waiting period on the policy, which is around 48 months, i.e., two years.
What Is the Minimum Age for Getting Health Insurance For Diabetics?
Typically, the minimum age for buying health insurance for a person with diabetes is 18 years. In general, the age limit for health insurance plans for people with diabetes is 18 to 65 years.
What Is the Validity of Diabetics Health Insurance?
The validity of health insurance for people with diabetes differs from one company to another. Some insurers have a yearly renewal while others have a limited years policy. Also, the renewal age cap may differ from one insurance company to another, with some policies have no age limit on renewal.