Are Mental Health Issues Covered in Health Insurance?

Posted on: Jul 4, 2022 | | Written by:

Are Mental Health Issues Covered in Health Insurance?

Health Insurance Coverage for Mental Health Issues

Earlier, mental illnesses-related expenses were not covered under health insurance plans in India. Only physical health ailments were included in the sphere of health insurance plans. However, that has changed now. Mental health issues have gained importance and people are more aware and are talking openly about mental illnesses.

The ongoing pandemic has also brought the focus on mental wellbeing of people along with physical wellbeing. Mental health has been identified as one of the major health issues among Indians. According to World Health Organization (WHO), about 7.5% of the Indian population suffered from mental disorders as of October 2020. During these trying times, the importance of health insurance cover has also been realized.

What is Mental Health?

Mental health comprises psychological wellbeing, social as well as the emotional well-being of a person. It affects the way a person thinks, acts, and feels. Mental health is important at every stage of life. It also impacts our way of handling stress, the way we interact with people and make choices. If a person suffers from any mental illness, his/her inability to think, work, memorize, behave, and even take decisions can get affected. It may lead to cognitive disorders and even makes performing daily activities difficult.

Is Mental Wellbeing Covered under Health Insurance?

Yes, health insurance companies in India do provide coverage for mental illnesses. Until now, people did not find it important to cover mental disorders under mediclaim policies. But since more people are admitting and talking about mental health issues, there has been an improved awareness of the mental well-being of people. In 2018, IRDAI had made it mandatory to cover mental illnesses under health insurance. The insurance regulator has asked all insurance companies to treat mental health just like any other physical ailments and include it under health insurance policy coverage. It was an important development enforced by IRDAI and proved to be an important step towards expansion in the national health insurance ecosystem.

Who will Benefit from Buying Mental Health Insurance?

Presently, due to stressful lifestyle, more and more people have become susceptible to mental illnesses like depression etc. This makes it essential for everyone to opt for mental health insurance coverage. Besides, people who have a family history of mental illness should definitely buy a health insurance policy covering mental diseases as they are more prone to them.

Conclusion

In simple terms, if you want to reduce the financial burden of treatment due to mental illnesses then you have to buy a suitable health insurance plan that sufficiently covers mental illnesses and related expenses. You can now compare and find health plans online and then make an informed purchase of health insurance plans.

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

How Meditation Apps Help in Mental Well-being

How mindfulness apps can benefit your mental health?

Mental illness coverage by Health Insurance – All you should know