With increasing financial awareness, more and more people are opting for health insurance plans to protect against medical emergencies. The Mehra’s are among the countless Indian families that have invested in health insurance on the advice of a friend or family member. The Mehra family had an adequate cover of over Rs 10 lakh. However, the Mehras received a rude shock when they were informed that the policy doesn’t cover Rheumatoid arthritis. Mrs Mehra was suffering from Rheumatoid arthritis. The Mehras are not alone. A large number of women in the country do not have health insurance. Among those that are covered, many rely on regular health insurance plans. A generic health cover, however, may not be able to cater to the specialised needs of a woman’s health.
The world over, women live longer lives than men. In India, the average lifespan of men is 67.8 years, while that of women is 70.4 years. A longer life, however, doesn’t mean women are immune to diseases. Some diseases are known to be more prevalent in women. A woman’s body is markedly different from that of a man and hence women have unique health experiences. From menopause to certain gynaecological conditions, women face a number of health issues that are irrelevant to men. Some of the gynaecological health disorders that are common among women are menstruation and menstrual irregularities and urinary tract infection, which includes urinary incontinence and pelvic floor disorders. Similarly, there are other disorders like Turner syndrome, Rett syndrome, and ovarian and cervical cancers that affect only women.
Considering various factors like women-specific diseases, the rising cost of healthcare and the impact of the pandemic on incomes, it is clear that women need specialised attention from insurers. A gap in women health insurance existed for a very long time. But health insurance is as important for women as it is for men. Women need financial backup in case of an emergency more than men. With women constituting half of the overall population and a major chunk of the workforce, insurers have taken notice of the situation and have started offering women-specific products. A women health insurance plan is like a regular plan at a broad level but has several features that have been designed to take care of women's health needs. For instance, some women health insurance plans offer an in-built pregnancy cover, though it is not a universal feature. Women health insurance plans are specially designed to take care of diseases that are more likely to affect women.
On the surface, a women health insurance plan provides cover for medical emergencies, just like a regular plan. However, there are certain differentiating features. The features of women health insurance plans differ from insurer to insurer. Here are some of the common ones.
Cancer cover: Cancer is one of the biggest health disorders affecting the Indian population. The advancement of medical technology has made cancer a curable disease if it is detected on time. However, the treatment of cancer can burn a hole in the patient’s pocket. Generally, the cancer cover in women health insurance ensures that the policyholder is paid a pre-decided amount on the diagnosis of the disease. It covers types of cancers that mostly affect women like breast cancer, cervical cancer and ovarian cancer.
Loss of job cover: Most women health insurance plans offer loss of job cover. It is mostly aimed at working women. The insurance plan pays an amount to working women if they lose their job in a certain period after being diagnosed with a critical illness. Some insurers also provide advantages like reduced premiums if the policyholder loses her job due to an illness.
Special features: Women health insurance plans offer coverage for common women-specific diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus. Besides health disorders, certain plans offer cover for bodily injuries arising out of burns and assault.
Women are the most vital component of the household but their health is often the most neglected aspect of Indian families. Unique health issues, relatively weaker economic condition and the rising cost of medical care make women's health insurance a crucial financial product. This women’s day, celebrate the contributions of mothers, sisters, wives and girlfriends by giving them a women health insurance plan.
Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purpose only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.
Was this article helpful?
Popular Articles
Latest Articles
Scan To Download
