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Travelling Abroad? Will there be Insurance Coverage in India for Monkeypox Virus?

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Monkeypox is an uncommon viral illness caused by the orthopoxvirus monkeypox virus. It exhibits symptoms similar to smallpox but is less infectious. Monkeypox produces less severe sickness and is seldom deadly in adults. However, children are more susceptible to monkeypox than adults.

The virus is readily spread to humans if they come into touch with someone afflicted with the virus, including people, animals, and other living things. Body fluids and lesions are the primary mechanisms of viral transmission from person to person. Respiratory droplets and infected objects may also spread it. Monkeypox symptoms typically last 2 to 4 weeks, with a mortality rate of roughly 3-6 per cent, as witnessed recently.

Monkeypox is most often seen in tropical rainforests of western and central Africa. However, a monkeypox epidemic occurred in the United Kingdom in May 2022 and made its way to India within two months.

According to the World Health Organization, the instances occurred near the tropical rainforest, home to animals carrying the virus. In the African rainforests, the infection was mainly carried by monkeys, squirrels, dormice, Gambian pouched rats, and other animals. The virus has recently become a concern as it spreads among humans worldwide.

Fear of Monkeypox

Monkeypox is a contagious disease that spreads from person to person through close contact with an infected person, animal, or contaminated material such as clothing. It may also be spread by fluid body exchange from an infected individual. The sickness usually lasts 2-4 weeks and then goes away independently. However, the disease can cause complications in children, which can be fatal.

Monkeypox symptoms are milder than those of smallpox.

Following are Some of the Most Prevalent Symptoms of Monkeypox:

● Fever

● Rash on the face and body

● Chills

● Headache

● Lymph nodes swollen

● Backache and muscle pains

● Exhaustion

● Discomfort

Monkeypox is most often seen in tropical rainforests of western and central Africa. However, a monkeypox epidemic occurred in the United Kingdom in May 2022 and made its way to India within two months. More than 16,000 cases of monkeypox have been recorded in 75 countries as of July 24, 2022. Indeed, several nations have labelled monkeypox an endemic disease.

Given the growing number of monkeypox cases worldwide, the WHO or the World Health Organization has declared another global emergency for health on the 23rd of July, 2022. In this case, many individuals want to know whether their travel health insurance coverage would cover the expense of monkeypox treatment.

Will Your Travel Insurance Cover Monkeypox?

Health insurance programs cover hospitalization costs from diseases, infections and other illnesses. Understanding that your health insurance covers all infectious disorders, including monkeypox, is crucial. If a person is diagnosed with monkeypox, the total cost of hospitalization will be covered by the individual's current comprehensive health insurance coverage.

Because monkeypox is not a pre-existing condition, it will be covered by the coverage benefits of your comprehensive health insurance plan, including pre and post-hospitalization, domiciliary benefits, in-patient benefits, and so on.

So, yes.

All Indian health insurance policies cover monkeypox. It is because monkeypox is an infectious condition, and all health plans cover medical expenditures on treating infectious diseases. As a result, all standard health insurance policies will cover the cost of monkeypox treatment.

A person with a valid health insurance policy may get coverage for hospitalization fees, out-of-hospital care charges, ambulance charges, ICU rates, and so on. However, the breadth of insurance coverage varies from one plan to the next. Most travel health insurance policies, for example, cover hospitalization costs. However, only some policies cover OPD treatment costs.

As a result, before filing a claim, it is best to examine the terms and conditions of the health insurance policy.

Health Insurance Waiting Period for Monkeypox

A health insurance policy does not cover monkeypox from the start. Instead, when the waiting time is finished, the coverage will be accessible. In India, all standard health insurance policies include a 30-day waiting period. During this time, the insurance company will not pay any non-accidental claims.

As a result, following the first 30-day waiting period, a policyholder will be allowed to file a claim for a monkeypox. If the insured files a claim during the first 30 days of the policy's effective date, the insurance company will deny it.

How Can You Claim This?

The two kinds of claim procedures permitted by Monkeypox health insurance are listed below:

1. Cashless Claim Procedure

● Inform the insurance about the hospitalization.

● At the hospital, provide your health card.

● Submit all additional required paperwork.

● The insurance provider will deal directly with the hospitals to reimburse the hospitalization fees.

2. Reimbursement Involves the Insurance Company in the Claim Process

● Obtain the hospital's original discharge summary.

● Submit the claim form together with the ID proof

● The health insurance provider will verify the provided papers.

● The health insurance company will begin the reimbursement procedure after completing the verification.

Conclusion

With each passing day, monkeypox spreads over the globe. Although it is less contagious than smallpox, it may cause serious problems, particularly in children. It remains to be seen if monkeypox will cause a broad epidemic like COVID-19. The best you can do is to be completely prepared for an epidemic and to have your whole family covered by a health insurance policy.

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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