Health Insurance Key To Fight Infectious Diseases

The rainy season increases risk of disease due to stagnant water, which becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes, leading to malaria and dengue. Contaminated water can cause waterborne diseases like cholera and typhoid. Increased humidity promotes fungal infections such as athlete's foot and ringworm. 

Poor sanitation and waste disposal issues during this time can further increase exposure to pathogens. These factors create a favourable environment for disease-causing organisms to thrive, raising the overall risk of illness. Recently, a virulent Monkeypox virus is on the loose and the World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared it a health emergency of global concern. 

Recent data by insurance aggregator PolicyBazaar shows that seasonal illnesses like dengue and malaria, stomach flu and allergies account for nearly 40 per cent of all health claims. These numbers are alarmingly high. 

All these conditions require extensive medical care, including doctor visits, diagnostic tests, prescription medications, and sometimes hospitalisation. “The cost of treating mosquito-borne diseases like dengue and malaria has surged dramatically in the past three years, with expenses ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 2,50,000 depending on the severity. The average claim amount for these illnesses has also risen sharply, from Rs 60,000 in FY 21-22 to Rs 1,40,000 in FY 23-24. These figures highlight the growing financial strain these illnesses can impose,” says Siddharth Singhal, Head - Health Insurance, Policybazaar. 

Protect Yourself

Having a comprehensive health insurance plan is essential to ensure that your medical expenses due to seasonal illnesses are covered. It's also important to take into account the kind of coverage your health insurance provides. 

“Most comprehensive health insurance plans include coverage for hospitalisation, diagnostic tests, and treatment related to viral infections, extending to the current spread of diseases like Monkeypox,” says Rakesh Jain, CEO, Reliance General Insurance. 

In some cases, insurers may offer additional riders or add-ons that specifically cover the costs associated with quarantine or isolation during treatment. Furthermore, critical illness policies also provide coverage under defined conditions if such infectious diseases increase alarmingly. 

“A typical health insurance policy usually includes hospitalisation costs, whether for a general room or intensive care unit (ICU) care or diagnostic tests, such as PCR tests required in the case of Monkeypox infection, are also included. The policy covers the cost of medical treatment, including antiviral medications and supportive care,” says Jain. 

Additionally, ambulance services for emergency transportation are generally included. Post-hospitalization expenses, such as follow-up consultations and prescribed medications, are often covered as well. Many insurers offer cashless treatment options at network hospitals, ensuring financial ease during the treatment process.

“We highly advise to go for add-ons like consumables which can help you cover the cost of non-medical items used during hospitalisation for severe cases of seasonal illnesses,” says Singhal.