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Does Your Health Insurance Policy Cover Black Fungus Treatment? Find Out

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Published on June 9, 2021. EST READ TIME: 3 minutes

Our lives have not been the same ever since the coronavirus pandemic broke out. Just when we all thought that things were under control, the second wave of COVID-19 hit us badly. The sheer number of cases overwhelmed the whole medical infrastructure, and as doctors worked tirelessly to save patients, another deadly disease emerged. The black fungus infection, academically christened Mucormycosis, began to threaten those who had managed to defeat the virus. As reports began trickling in that COVID-19 survivors, especially those with pre-existing conditions like diabetes, kidney problems, and cancer, were contracting the fungus, health insurance policyholders started to worry if their policy covered the treatment. Well, let’s discuss this rare fungal infection in detail and if your health insurance plan provides coverage against it.

What is black fungus?

Black fungus or Mucormycosis is a rare but deadly infection found among those who are recovering or have recovered from COVID-19. It is caused by a group of moulds called Mucormycetes. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, these fungi live in the environment, predominantly in soil and in decaying organic matter. It affects people with existing health problems or those who take medicines that lower the body’s ability to fight germs i.e. people with reduced immune response are more susceptible to the infection. Though it’s most likely to affect the sinuses or the lungs after inhaling fungal spores from the air, it can also occur on the skin because of a cut, burn, or another kind of injury.

Doctors are suspecting that it may be because of the use of steroids, a life-saving treatment for critically ill Covid-19 patients. Steroids reduce lung inflammation and assist in stopping some of the damage that occurs when the body's immune system goes into overdrive to fight off coronavirus. The downside is that they also reduce immunity and push up blood sugar levels, making the condition apt for black fungus. Plus, the poor air quality and excessive dust in big cities are making it easier for the fungi to thrive.

The symptoms of this infection can range from headaches, drowsiness, nasal blockage, to eye pain, redness with blindness. If the fungi manage to invade the brain, the patient may have a stroke or haemorrhage or even die.

Will your Health insurance cover you against it?

 The medications and treatment required for this disease are quite expensive. If, unfortunately, you are diagnosed with black fungus, the first thing you would want to do is check if your  health insurance plan  covers it or not. Well, the good news is that most insurers cover it, but it would always be a wise call to check with your insurance company at the earliest. The coverage may also come with a waiting period of around 30 days. So, do check the terms and conditions carefully.

Various state governments are trying to make life easier for patients, for example, Maharashtra is covering the treatment of the infection under the Government’s medical insurance schemes i.e. Mahatma JyotiraoPhule Jan Aarogya Yojana (MJPJAY) and the Pradhan Mantri Jan AarogyaYojana (PMJAY), while other states like Rajasthan are putting a cap on its treatment charges.

Conclusion

Reports of white and yellow fungus have also emerged, so when you check with your insurer, it would be wise to learn about the coverage for complications and life-threatening diseases that are connected with coronavirus. If your policy doesn’t cover them, you need to upgrade your plan. Just like you are taking all possible steps to prevent infection, protect your finances with a robust health insurance plan too.  

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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