Health Insurance for the Differently-abled – Live without Stress

Posted on: Mar 25, 2022 | | Written by:

Health Insurance for the Differently-abled – Live without Stress

While the society is doing everything possible to promote an inclusive and accessible world for the differently-abled, we have a long way to go. Many people with disabilities continue to struggle to get decent jobs and be financially stable. Which means, emergencies, especially those that are medical in nature, often leave them destitute. But the good news is, buying a Mediclaim policy can help in such situations. Read on to know more.

Who are Persons with Disabilities?

Any kind of disability - physical or mental – can make one’s daily life challenging. People with disabilities are those who suffer from physical, mental, sensory or intellectual impairment, due to which it is difficult for them to do certain activities and live a normal life. The disabilities hinder their full and effective interaction and participation in the society. These disabilities are long-term as well.

Now, a disability can be present from birth, such as Down syndrome, or can be associated with developmental conditions which show up during childhood, such as autism, or accidental disability such as brain injury, or a prolonged health condition like diabetes, causing disability or nerve damage, loss of vision. Disability can also be progressive such as muscular dystrophy, static like loss of limb, or intermittent disability like multiple sclerosis.

Health Insurance – A Financial Safety Cushion for the Differently-Abled

The differentlyabled are at risk of other health issuestoo.Which is why, with healthcare costs increasing by the day, a Mediclaim policycan save them from financial strains. It is the financial safety net in case of a medical emergency. However, health plans have certain terms and conditions. All disabilities may not be covered, certain expensive treatments may not get coverage, and only basic medical treatments might be included. So, before selecting a Mediclaim policy for a differentlyabled person, it is necessary to check the coverage, benefits, exclusions and other terms and conditions.

After selecting the policy and submitting the relevant details, the policy will be issued based on the degree of disability.

Government Benefits for the Differently-abled

The central government runs welfare schemes that people with disabilities can benefit from. The two well-known schemes are:

Swavlamban Health Insurance Scheme:

It is a group health insurance or family floater policy. It covers the individual or family up to a sum of INR 2 lakhs for certain specified disabilities.

Niramaya Health Insurance Scheme:

It offers health insurance cover up to INR 1 lakh, helping people to get medical treatment without stressing over finances.

Also, Section 80u and Section 80dd of the Income Tax Act provide tax rebate to individuals if either they themselves or any of their family members suffer from certain disabilities, respectively. The tax benefits vary according to the severity of the disability.

Conclusion

Everyday, technological advancements are helping people with disabilities to lead normal lives. Similarly, public places and workspaces are being designed keeping their accessibility factor in mind. However, a lot still needs to be done. It is a good idea to work towards that end by buying a Mediclaim policy for someone who is differently abled but wishes to live a stress-free life.

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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