Diabetes is a chronic condition characterised by increased glucose levels in the blood. If you or your loved one is suffering from this condition, it is important to take the right steps to ensure financial protection against expenses related to its treatment. Healthcare insurance is a must in this scenario.
But which health policy should you take to manage expenses related to this condition? Will a standard health policy suffice, or is specialised health insurance for diabetes needed? Read ahead to know the answers to these questions and more!
Understanding Diabetes and Its Impact
There are mainly two categories of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. Under type 1 diabetes, the patient’s body doesn’t produce insulin due to an autoimmune condition. It typically develops during childhood or adolescence, although it can occur at any age. The exact cause is unknown, but genetic and environmental factors are believed to play a role.
On the other hand, in the case of type 2 diabetes, the body becomes resistant to insulin or doesn’t produce enough. It is the most common form of diabetes, accounting for the majority of cases worldwide.
Unlike type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes is strongly linked to lifestyle factors such as poor diet, lack of physical activity, obesity, and genetics. Initially, type 2 diabetes may not cause noticeable symptoms, but over time, it can lead to serious complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, nerve damage, and vision loss.
Managing both types of diabetes requires consistent monitoring, medication, and sometimes specialised care. This ongoing management incurs significant healthcare costs, making insurance coverage essential for many individuals living with diabetes.
The Basics of Standard Health Insurance
Standard healthcare insurance covers a broad range of medical services, including preventive care, hospital visits, and prescription medications. These plans vary in coverage levels, deductibles, and premiums, depending on factors such as age, location, and individual or employer-sponsored plans.
While standard healthcare insurance is designed to provide coverage for various healthcare needs, its scope may not fully address the unique requirements of individuals with diabetes. For instance, most standard plans provide diabetes-related coverage after a certain waiting period. Policyholders with pre-existing diseases will thus have to pay for medical expenses from their own pockets during the initial years. This has given rise to specialised plans for diabetes, as explained in the next section.
Tailored Coverage for Diabetes
Health insurance for diabetes is becoming increasingly prevalent because of the comprehensive coverage it provides from the first day of purchasing the plan. These plans recognise the specialised needs of individuals with diabetes and offer coverage for essential services such as:
Essential Devices
Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) devices play a vital role in managing blood sugar levels by providing real-time glucose readings. Similarly, insulin pumps are essential devices that offer a convenient and precise way to administer insulin. Health plans for diabetes often cover these devices, although coverage specifics may vary. This alleviates the financial burden for individuals who rely on them.
Diabetes Education and Counselling
Education and support are essential components of diabetes management. Health plans for diabetes may cover diabetes education programmes, nutritional counselling, and other support services to help individuals better manage their condition.
Specialised Medications
Diabetes often requires medications such as insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents. While standard health plans may cover these medications to some extent, diabetes-specific insurance plans offer more comprehensive coverage and lower out-of-pocket costs.
Regular Screenings and Check-Ups
Preventive care is crucial for managing diabetes and preventing complications. Health plans for diabetes may cover regular screenings, check-ups, and tests to monitor blood sugar levels, cholesterol, and other key health indicators.
The Next Step
Health insurance for diabetes offers tailored coverage to meet the unique needs of individuals living with this chronic condition. The key point of difference lies in the fact that health plans for diabetes provide coverage without any waiting period and cover a broad range of medical services.
By choosing health insurance plans for family that offer comprehensive coverage for diabetes-related expenses, you and your family can access the required care and support to lead healthy and fulfilling lives. Niva Bupa is one of the best healthcare insurance companies in India. Their health insurance plans for family can be tailored according to your needs and allow you to avail cashless medical care at 10,000+ network hospitals.
Moreover, you can add Smart Health+ Disease Management Rider to your Niva Bupa policy without incurring extra premium costs for pre-existing diseases. With this rider, you can avail yourself of the protection against expenses related to diabetes and hypertension from Day 1 as well as coverage for 4 diagnostic tests per year. You can also receive a discount of up to 20% on renewal premi
