India has almost 60 million diabetic patients. The biggest need for such people is regular medication apart from the necessary precautions they have to take. Since diabetes can lead to severe illnesses like heart attack, stroke, etc. which have a huge cost of hospitalization, a good health insurance scheme is a priority. Until now health insurance companies avoided giving policy to diabetic patients, but after Supreme Court ruling public sector companies now cover this illness in their basic health plans. Alternatively, some private sector companies like Star Health has dedicated policy for diabetes which may be helpful in meeting some of the requirement, if not in entirety.
Here is a brief review of the scheme and what benefits it offers:
Star Health Diabetic Safe Insurance-Whom they cover
This insurance policy is specifically designed for people who are diagnosed with Diabetes Mellitus Type II. In this stage a person does not require support of insulin and can be cured with medicines, exercise and diet control. Type 1 is far more serious which insurance companies do not cover.
Features of product
Eligibility– Any person from age 26 to 65 years can avail this policy. The renewals are however only up to 70 years of age.
Benefits– The policy provides cashless benefit in case of hospitalization from any illness due to diabetes. Exclusive to this policy, the condition of min 24 hours hospitalization is not applicable if the patient undergoes dialysis, laser treatment and is discharged same day. The company still pays the claim subject to certain conditions. Apart from general coverage like Room charges, nursing expenses, surgeon fees and medication expenses, the policy also gives some special coverage which are beneficial to policyholders.
- Hospitalization expenses on donor of kidney for renal transplant surgery are payable subject to availability of sum insured
- Post-renal transplant complications on the insured person covered
- Second transplant following failure of the first transplant covered
Coverage for Specific Conditions.
The health policy also covers illnesses in certain conditions which arise due to diabetes.
- Eyes: Diabetic Retinopathy requiring laser treatment.
- Feet: Diabetic foot ulcer requiring micro-vascular surgical correction
- Kidneys: Diabetic Nephropathy leading to chronic renal failure
Sub-Limits: Star health has sub-limits in all its health policies and so does this product. One should be well aware of these as they limit your claim during hospitalization. You will also be cautious enough to know well in advance the treatment in your preferred hospital.
Basic Sub-Limits
| Expenses | Applicable Limits |
| Boarding & Room Charges | 2% of SA
Max – Rs. 2500 per day in Class A cities Max – Rs. 1250 per day in other cities |
| Pre & Post Hospitalization expenses | 30 & 15 days
|
Sub-Limits in special conditions
The policy also imposes sub-limits in case of certain condition especially hospitalization due to chronic renal failure. Only for dialysis or laser treatment the expenses for pre and post hospitalization are not available. Similarly, there are limits on expenses for dialysis treatment and post-transplant renal complications. One should read policy wordings clearly to know in detail about sub-limits.
Exclusions
The product does not give claim for cataract, any preexisting illnesses due to diabetes, Regular expenses for treatment of Diabetic Mellitus Type II, expenses within 90days of policy commencement, cost of supportive items like wheel chairs etc. A more detail list of such exclusion is available in policy wordings.
Other Products
There are no other specific products for diabetic patients. ICICI Pru Life withdrew their Diabetic policy due to poor response. However, many health insurance companies, especially PSUs, now cover diabetes related illnesses in their basic health plan but with extra premiums. Although most companies cover it after 3-4 years, New India Assurance Company covers diabetes if one has continued their policy for at least two years.
Should You Consider
For diabetic patients the risk is higher than a healthy person. Considering that you do not have other options and the high cost of treatment, the product may be a good choice to cover certain portion of risk which can arise in future, if not fully. However, the policy covers only diabetic related illness. You will have to go for a basic health plan to cover risk of illnesses other than diabetes. Contrary to this a basic health plan such as New India Assurance, will cover for other illnesses too along with your requirement. Compare the features and exclusions well and then make a decision.
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