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Mental/Psychological Issues Covered under Health Policy

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Mental and psychological illnesses are often challenging to deal with and need long-drawn treatments. The National Mental Health Survey of India for FY16 as conducted by National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences found that almost 15% of Indian adults require strong and active mental health facilitation in terms of therapy or medicines. It is an illness which cannot be ignored anymore by society at large and by insurers. Stress, which is the most common factor for most of these illnesses, was never considered a part of any insurance cover till recently, but that changed in 2018 when the IRDAI (Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India) directed insurance companies to make provisions for mental health issues and treatment.

Changes in Health Policies

Now, mental illnesses are to be included in health insurance but a 100% cover is not provided. As per Mental Healthcare Act, mental illness is regarded as a significant change in mood, behaviour, orientation, perception or memory issues, impaired judgement behaviour or capacity to live with reality or recognize and ability to work with demands of ordinary life. This also includes substance and alcohol abuse though not mental retardation or development issues. By law, there cannot be any discrimination between a patient with mental illness and someone who is afflicted by physical ailments.

Challenges Faced by Insurers

Insurance plans for mental health cover treatments is being provided by HDFC ERGO in my:health Suraksha Plan.

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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