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Is Depression Covered Under Health Insurance? Find Out

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When you hurt your head, get a gash in your leg, or experience stomach pain, you rush to a doctor, right? Physical health issues are taken seriously. However, when it comes to mental health problems like depression,everything becomes a taboo. People with depression are often told to ‘snap out of it’ or ‘just try being happy’ as if they are deliberately feeling the way they are. This also shows that there is a general lack of awareness and empathy among people regarding mental ailments. The causes of depression can range from age and abuse to isolation and loss, and its symptoms are noticeable. And it is closely related to hypertension.

So, it is important to not only understand these problems well, but also check if your health insurance covers the treatment of the same.

What is Depression?

Depression is not mere sadness. It’s a mental disorder that adversely affects how you think, feel, and behave. Depression can do a lot of harm, from lowering one’s productivity to causing thoughts about self-harm. However, it’s a treatable ailment. The first step is to see a doctor who can cure the problem with medication and therapy.

Symptoms of Depression

Depression has a variety of symptoms. Since it is a mood disorder, general signs of the ailment can seem temporary. But a closer look can reveal a pattern. It’s also hard to detect because not everyone with depression exhibit the same symptoms. However, if you or someone you know are experiencing the following symptoms, it might indicate depression:

• A feeling of sadness, anxiousness, or loneliness all the time

• The mind fails to have a positive outlook towards things. The feeling of hopelessness and helplessness becomes overwhelming

• Loss of self-respect or a feeling of worthlessness

• Frequent crying, without any external trigger

• Annoyance or anger, which happens often and easily

• Loss of interest in usually favourite hobbies

• A constant feeling of tiredness

• A lack of mindfulness

• Pace of walking and talking declines

• Lack of enough sleep or oversleeping

• A gain in weight due to overeating and lack of exercise or loss of weight due to loss of appetite

• Pain might be experienced in the form of headaches or stomach aches

• Tendency to harm self

• A decline in sexual desire

What is Hypertension?

Depression is closely related to hypertension, a medical ailment where the blood pressure gets elevated and increases the risks of heart, brain, and kidney diseases. Like depression, it’s a non-communicable disease. It is also commonly referred to as high blood pressure and happens because the arteries get narrow and resist the flow of blood. Blood pressure is the pressure exerted by the blood against the walls of the arteries and it changes throughout the day based on your activities. Blood pressure is written as two numbers – systolic and diastolic. A normal blood pressure level is 120/80, 120 being systolic and 80 diastolic.

What are the Symptoms of Hypertension?

A person with hypertension can experience the following:

• Recurring headaches that can get worse with time

• People with hypertension are likely to feel dizzy often

• Shortness of breath, especially while doing something that requires physical exertion

• Blurry vision and nosebleeds are a sign of hypertension too

• The person may also lose appetite

Diagnosis of Depression/Hypertension

Hypertension can be easily diagnosed by measuring blood pressure. When the readings are above the prescribed limit, it shows that the person is suffering from hypertension. When it comes to depression, there are various types. A doctor may ask for a few tests to discover the type and begin treatment accordingly. But the first step is to approach the doctor and have an honest conversation.

Treatment of Depression/Hypertension

Follow the advice of the doctor to treat both ailments. Patients may be required to take medicines (like prescribed antidepressants), follow a fitness regime, switch to a well-balanced diet, and quit smoking and drinking, among other things. For depression, you will be advised to take therapy sessions. The treatment for both diseases can continue for months.

Is Depression/Hypertension Covered under Health Insurance?

Yes, they are covered under health insurance plans. Insurers will cover the treatment cost to cure depression and hypertension. All insurance companies are mandated by the Insurance Regulatory & Development Authority of India (IRDAI) to cover mental illnesses, and so, depression—a type of mental illness—gets covered. Hypertension gets covered under the usual benefits offered by health insurance plans. You can check with the insurer about their inclusion when buying or renewing the policy.

Does Depression/ Hypertension Come with a Waiting Period?

Yes, they come with a waiting period of around 2 years. The waiting period for hypertension can be comparatively smaller. All treatment expenses will be covered after the waiting period. If you suffer from either of the two at the time of buying the health insurancepolicy, you need to declare it as a pre-existing disease.The waiting period for pre-existing diseases can vary from policy to policy.

Tips to Prevent Depression

• Exercise regularly

• Have sound sleep for at least 7-8 hours every day

• Take part in activities you enjoy and relieve stress

• Meet people who make you feel relaxed and loved

• Accomplish small tasks every day to boost your self-esteem and become more self-resilient

Tips to Prevent Hypertension

• Eat vegetables and fruits

• Reduce the intake of sugar and salt

• Reduce body weight

• Keep a close eye on your blood pressure

• Quit smoking and drinking

Conclusion

While we should do everything possible to keep these ailments at bay, nobody can predict them or how they impact our overall wellbeing. Which is why, having a health insurance plan that covers the treatment of such ailments is a must. If treatment is needed for either of these diseases, your health plan will take care of the expenses and you will have one less thing to worry about.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purpose only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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