Is Dermatology Covered by Health Insurance Plans?

What is Dermatology?

Dermatology refers to the medical branch that deals with skin problems and diseases. It is the job of a dermatologist or dermatology specialist to diagnose any disorder or disease of the skin and accordingly, suggest the treatment. Cancer, ageing and cosmetic condition of the skin, hair, nails, fat, oral and genital membranes fall into the ambit of dermatology.

Some of the most common dermatology or skin problems in India are:

Acne
Fungal skin infections, such as athlete’s foot, ringworm, etc.
Rash
Scabies
Dermatitis
Viral skin diseases, such as chickenpox, measles, etc.
Sunburn
Auto-immune skin diseases

Dermatology treatments can be medical or surgical. But no matter the type of treatment, dermatology problems can be expensive to afford. For instance, chemotherapy for skin cancer or surgery to treat a skin disorder can dig a hole in your pockets. Cosmetic or plastic surgeries are also costly procedures. Besides, most dermatology treatments go on for a long period of time, which can deplete your savings gradually.

This brings us back to the question of whether dermatology treatments are covered under health insurance plans in India. Let’s find out.

Does Health Insurance Cover Dermatology?

Yes. Health insurance plans in India cover most dermatology or skin problems. If you own a health insurance policy, you can raise a claim to cover your treatment costs for dermatology problems. Skin cancer treatment can be covered under a critical illness insurance policy as well as under a cancer insurance policy.

However, the scope of coverage can vary from one insurance company to another. For instance, most health insurance plans only cover hospitalization expenses arising out of a dermatology treatment or surgery. They may exclude day care procedures and OPD consultation costs. On the other hand, some health insurance companies may provide coverage for hospitalization costs, OPD consultations as well as day care procedures.

Therefore, you must read the terms and conditions of a health insurance policy carefully before buying it to know which type of dermatology treatments are covered.

Types of Dermatology Treatment Covered by Health Insurance

Take a look at the various dermatology treatment covered under most health insurance plans:

Skin Cancer Treatment
Acne
Skin Cancer Removal
Skin Viral Diseases
Rashes
Skin Fungal Infections
Reconstructive Surgery
Psoriasis
Skin Allergies
Poison Ivy Rash
Port Wine Stains
Keloid Scars

Types of Dermatology Treatment Not Covered by Health Insurance

The following dermatology treatments are not covered by health insurance plans in India:

Cosmetic surgery
Non-accidental Plastic surgery
Botox
Tattoo Removal
Fillers
Chemical Peels
Microdermabrasion
Facials

Terms and Conditions Related to Health Insurance Coverage for Dermatology

There are certain terms and conditions that you must keep in mind if you seek health insurance coverage for dermatology. To begin with, coverage for skin cancer will be available after the waiting period is over. The waiting period for skin cancer under a regular health insurance policy is mostly 1 year or 2 years. On the other hand, skin cancer under a critical illness insurance policy can be covered after a waiting period of 90 days with a survival period of 30 days.

In case you have been suffering from skin cancer or skin disorder before buying the health insurance policy, it will be considered as a pre-existing disease. As a result, you will have to wait out a fixed time period before raising a claim for the dermatology problem under your health insurance policy. Generally, the waiting period for pre-existing diseases is somewhere between 1 year to 4 years.

In a Nutshell

Dermatology problems may be on the rise due to pollution, poor lifestyle, ultraviolet rays, global warming, etc. It is essential to take every possible precaution to prevent the occurrence of various skin problems. But on the safer side, you must buy a health insurance policy as they cover medical dermatology. But if you expect to get coverage for cosmetic or aesthetic dermatology, your insurance companies will not help you at all.