Health Insurance for Diabetes

What is Health Insurance for Diabetes?

Health insurance for diabetes is specially designed for people with diabetes or a family history of diabetes. It helps diabetic people manage the high cost of its treatment and related illnesses. This health insurance policy for diabetes covers medical and hospitalization expenses for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and its complications.

Several diabetes health insurance plans offer day 1 coverage for pre-existing diabetes with no waiting period.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a health condition in which the blood sugar (glucose) levels in the body are very high. It develops when the pancreas makes insufficient or no insulin or if the body stops responding to the effects of insulin and develops insulin resistance. The insulin helps glucose get into the cells and produce energy. Diabetes increases the risk of heart disease, kidney problems, certain cancers, damage to nerves and eye problems.

Diabetes can be diagnosed by checking the blood sugar levels after overnight fasting or the HbA1c level. HbA1c refers to glycated haemoglobin, i.e. the average blood glucose (sugar) levels for the previous 2-3 months. Given below are the various categories of diabetes as per the overnight fasting blood sugar level and HbA1c level:

Diabetes can develop in people of all ages and is chronic. However, this lifestyle disease can be managed with medications and certain lifestyle changes.

Common Types of Diabetes

Take a look at the most common types of diabetes:

• Type 1 Diabetes - Type 1 diabetes is a type of diabetes in which the body's immune system attacks or destroys the cells responsible for producing insulin. As a result, the body makes little or no insulin, and those affected need to take insulin every day to stay alive. Although this autoimmune disease can develop at any age, type 1 diabetes is primarily diagnosed in children and young adults.
• Type 2 Diabetes - Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes. It develops when the pancreas does not produce sufficient insulin or the body develops insulin resistance and stops responding. Type 2 diabetes is mainly found in adults but can also develop in children.
• Prediabetes - Prediabetes is the stage where the blood sugar levels of a person are above normal but not high enough to be categorized as diabetes. Prediabetes people are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes in future.
• Gestational Diabetes - Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that affects pregnant women. It develops during pregnancy and mostly goes away after the baby is born. However, women with gestational diabetes have a higher chance of developing type 2 diabetes in future.

Who Should Buy Health Insurance for Diabetes in India?

The following people should buy medical insurance for diabetes in India:

• People with a family history of diabetes
• People who are overweight or obese
• People above 45 years
• People with a sedentary lifestyle with no physical activity more than 3 times a week
• People suffering from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
• Women who had gestational diabetes or gave birth to a baby above 4 kg
• Women suffering from PCOS are at risk of developing gestational diabetes

How Much Waiting Period to Choose Under Health Insurance for Diabetes?

Check out the waiting period people should choose under health insurance for diabetes:

1. People already diagnosed with diabetes should buy diabetes health insurance from day 1 coverage.
2. People who are prediabetes or were diagnosed as gestational diabetic can opt for a mediclaim insurance policy with a waiting period of 1 or 2 years.
3. Obese people or those with a family history of diabetes can opt for a health policy for diabetes with 2-3 years of waiting period.

Benefits of Buying Health Insurance for Diabetic Patients

Health insurance can help in winning the battle against diabetes. Here is why buying health insurance for diabetes is a good idea to avail the best possible treatment:

1. Massive Prevalence of Diabetes in India

   Diabetes is one of the most common lifestyle diseases in India. According to a study by The Lancet, India has the highest number of diabetic people in the world. In fact, around one-fourth of all diabetic people in the world are from India. Since diabetes leads to several complications, like heart disease, nerve damage, kidney problems, etc., it may involve ongoing medical treatments and even expensive hospitalization. To prevent draining their savings in paying medical bills, buying the right health insurance policy for diabetes is recommended.

2. Surge in Healthcare Costs

   With rising medical inflation, the treatment cost for diabetes and related complications has become extremely expensive. The disease requires regular treatment, which means regular cost of doctor's fees, diagnostic fees, and diabetes medicines. Moreover, if the patient ends up getting hospitalized, they will have to pay hospital bills worth lakhs of rupees. However, with diabetes health insurance, patients can focus on their recovery instead of worrying about paying the hospital bills.

List of Health Insurance for Diabetics in India

Given below is the list of health insurance plans for diabetes from different insurance companies in India:

*Disclaimer: The list mentioned is according to the alphabetical order of the insurance companies. Policybazaar does not endorse, rate or recommend any particular insurer or insurance product offered by any insurer. This list of plans listed here comprise of insurance products offered by all the insurance partners of Policybazaar. For complete list of insurers in India, refer to the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India website www.irdai.gov.in.

Inclusions of Health Insurance for Diabetes

Health insurance plans for diabetes include the following coverage:

• Hospitalization expenses
• OPD expenses
• Modern treatments
• Emergency ambulance charges
• AYUSH treatment
• Donor expenses for kidney transplant surgery
• Dialysis expenses
• Cost of artificial limbs
• Cataract surgery
• Pre-hospitalization expenses
• Post-hospitalization expenses
• Day care procedures
• Personal accident cover
• Shared accommodation benefit

Exclusions of Health Insurance for Diabetes

The following medical expenses are excluded under diabetes health insurance:

• Obesity and weight control procedures
• Cost of dietary supplements and substances
• Unproven treatments
• Cost of external aids and devices
• Treatments taken outside of India
• Artificial life maintenance

List of Health Insurance for Diabetes in India

Explore the various types of health insurance plans available to find the best option for managing diabetes and ensuring comprehensive healthcare.

1. Aditya Birla Activ Health Enhanced Diabetes Plan

   The Aditya Birla Activ Health Enhanced plan is a comprehensive insurance policy that offers diabetes coverage from day 1 of the policy. It is designed for people with pre-existing diabetes, and also comes with a chronic management program. The coverage includes OPD treatment expenses, hospitalization expenses, day care procedures and AYUSH treatments. Moreover, annual preventive health check-ups are also available.

2. Bajaj Allianz Health Care Supreme Plan

   The Bajaj Allianz Health Care Supreme plan offers medical coverage for diabetes and its complications after a waiting period of 2 years. The policy will pay for hospitalization expenses, OPD expenses, day care procedures, modern treatments and organ donor expenses. Moreover, free annual preventive health check-ups and recovery benefit are also available under the policy.

3. Care Supreme Plan with Instant Cover

   The Care Supreme plan covers the medical expenses incurred on the treatment of diabetes and its complications. When opting for Instant Cover, people with pre-existing diabetes can get coverage from day 1 of the policy. The coverage includes hospitalization expenses, domiciliary hospitalization expenses, organ donor expenses and ambulance charges. Moreover, the patient can avail unlimited e-consultations and no limit on room rent or ICU.

4. Cholamandalam Flexi Health Plan

   The Cholamandalam Flexi Health Retail plan is ideal for individuals diagnosed with diabetes. This plan provides financial protection against diabetes and related illnesses, including hospitalization expenses, AYUSH treatment, day care procedures and organ donor expenses. The policy also offers daily care benefit and preventive health check-up benefit.

5. Digit Health Insurance Plan

   The Digit Health Insurance plan offers financial protection for diabetes-related treatments. Besides hospitalization costs, it covers individuals for AYUSH hospitalization, bariatric surgery, day care procedures, ambulance charges and organ donor expenses. Moreover, worldwide coverage is also available under this plan.

6. Future Generali Health Absolute Plan

   The Future Generali Health Absolute plan provides mediclaim benefits for diabetes and related illnesses. The plan covers pre-existing diabetes after a waiting period of 2 years. Day care treatments, hospitalization expenses, OPD treatment, organ donor expenses and ambulance charges are covered by the insurer. Moreover, coverage for alternative treatments and medical coverage abroad are available under this policy.

7. HDFC ERGO Energy Health Insurance Plan

   The HDFC ERGO Energy Health Insurance plan focuses on managing lifestyle diseases like diabetes and hypertension. It offers coverage for treatments of Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, Impaired Fasting Glucose (IFG) and Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT). In-patient treatment, organ donor cover, shared accommodation benefit and day care treatments are also available under this policy. Moreover, the policy covers pre-existing diabetes from day 1.

8. ICICI Lombard Elevate Plan with JumpStart Cover

   The ICICI Lombard Elevate plan is designed to cover diabetes and related diseases after the completion of the waiting period. However, with the JumpStart cover, diabetic patients can avail coverage from day 31 of the policy. Besides in-patient care, the plan also offers a cashless chronic disease management program for managing diabetes. Day care treatments, modern treatments, bariatric surgery, and teleconsultations are also covered by this policy.

9. IFFCO Tokio Individual Health Protector Plan

   The IFFCO Tokio Individual Health Protector Plan provides financial support for diabetes treatments and related medical expenses. The coverage includes AYUSH hospitalization expenses, in-patient hospitalization costs, modern treatments, day care treatments and organ donor expenses.

10. Liberty Health Connect Plan with PED Protector Cover

    The Liberty Health Connect Plan with PED Protector cover is designed to provide coverage for pre-existing conditions like diabetes and related complications on the payment of extra premiums. It covers the cost of hospitalization, AYUSH treatment, organ donor surgery and day care treatments. The plan also offers hospital daily cash allowance and recovery benefit to the insured.

11. Magma HDI OneHealth Insurance Plan

    The Magma HDI OneHealth Insurance plan offers comprehensive coverage for diabetes and related health issues. It covers the cost of hospitalization, bariatric surgery, AYUSH treatment, day care treatment and modern treatment. Annual health check-ups, hospital cash benefit and OPD cover are also available in this policy.

12. ManipalCigna ProHealth Prime Insurance Active Plan

    The ManipalCigna ProHealth Prime Insurance Active plan provides extensive coverage for diabetes treatments and hospitalization. It covers pre-existing diabetes after a waiting period of 90 days. The coverage comprise of AYUSH treatments, donor expenses, day care treatments, teleconsultations and ambulance charges. Daily cash for shared accommodation and convalescence benefit are also available in this policy.

13. National Parivar Mediclaim Policy with Pre-existing Diabetes/Hypertension Cover

    The National Parivar Mediclaim policy offers coverage for diabetes and its complications. With Pre-existing Diabetes/Hypertension cover, diabetes patients can claim treatment costs from day 1 of the policy. In this health insurance for diabetic patients, both hospitalization and domiciliary hospitalization expenses are covered, along with morbid obesity treatment, modern treatments and day care procedures. Moreover, hospital cash benefit is also available under this policy.

14. New India Assurance Premier Mediclaim Plan

    The New India Assurance Premier Mediclaim plan provides coverage for diabetes treatment costs after completing a PED waiting period of 90 days. Hospitalization expenses, modern treatments, OPD treatments, and Ayurvedic treatment are covered by this policy. Besides, hospital cash benefit and obesity treatments are also available under the plan.

15. Niva Bupa ReAssure 2.0 Plan with Smart Health+

    The Niva Bupa ReAssure 2.0 plan is designed to provide financial protection for diabetes treatment and related expenses. With Smart Health+, diabetes patients can avail treatment from day 1 of the policy. Hospitalization expenses, modern treatments, ambulance charges and unlimited e-consultations are covered in this policy. Moreover, it offers annual health check-ups and shared accommodation benefit to diabetic patients.

16. Oriental Happy Family Floater Plan

    The Oriental Happy Family Floater plan provides coverage to families against diabetes and its complications. However, it covers pre-existing diabetes after a waiting period of 90 days. The coverage includes hospitalization costs, donor expenses, telemedicine and modern treatments. Daily hospital cash allowance and attendant allowance are also available under this policy.

17. Raheja QBE Health QuBE Plan

    The Raheja QBE Health QuBE plan offers comprehensive protection against diabetes and related health issues. It offers coverage for in-patient care, ambulance services, organ donor expenses and advance treatments. Health check-up benefit and daily allowance are also available in this policy.

18. Reliance Health Infinity Insurance Plan

    The Reliance Health Infinity plan provides extensive coverage for diabetes care and its complications. It covers the cost of in-patient care, modern treatments, day care procedures, organ donor expenses and AYUSH treatments.

19. Royal Sundaram Multiplier Health Insurance Plan with ABCD Benefit

    The Royal Sundaram Multiplier Health Insurance plan covers the treatment cost of diabetes along with its complications. With the ABCD benefit, people already diagnosed with diabetes can claim their expenses after 30 days of waiting period. The policy covers the cost of in-patient care, modern treatments, day care treatments and organ donor expenses. Annual health check-up benefit is also available under this policy.

20. SBI Arogya Supreme Plan

    The SBI Arogya Supreme plan offers financial protection for diabetes treatments and covers PED diabetes from day 90 of the policy. In-patient hospitalization, bariatric surgery costs, advance procedures, day care procedures and alternative treatments are covered in this policy. The plan also offers recovery benefit and preventive health check-ups.

21. Star Diabetes Safe Insurance Plan

    Any person suffering from Diabetes Mellitus can get covered under this Star Diabetes Safe Insurance Plan. While Plan A covers PED diabetes from day 1, Plan B comes with a waiting period of 1 year. The insurer pays out for hospitalization expenses, including room rent, nursing and boarding charges, anaesthetist, & surgeon fees, and the cost of medicines. The policy also covers OPD expenses, ambulance charges, AYUSH treatment and modern treatments. Moreover, personal accident cover is also provided under this policy.

22. Tata AIG Health SuperCharge Plan

    The Tata AIG Health SuperCharge plan is available for individuals, ensuring comprehensive health support for both young and older family members. The plan is designed to cover essential diabetes care and other health issues resulting from it. Moreover, it covers pre-existing diabetes after 30 days. The coverage includes in-patient treatment, organ donor expenses, ambulance charges, day care treatments and AYUSH hospitalization.

23. United Family Medicare Plan

    The United Family Medicare plan is perfect for families looking to manage diabetes-related expenses. The plan covers in-patient treatments, modern treatments, day care treatments and ambulance charges. Daily cash allowance and health check-up benefit are also available in this policy.

24. Universal Sompo Supreme Healthcare Plan with Instant Cover

    The Universal Sompo Supreme Healthcare plan offers day 1 coverage for pre-existing diabetes with Instant cover. The plan also covers the complications resulting from diabetes and its treatment. The coverage comprise of hospitalization expenses, advance treatments, day care treatments, unlimited e-consultation and organ donor expenses.

25. Zuno (Formerly Edelweiss) HealthPlus Plan

    The Zuno HealthPlus plan provides coverage for diabetes care and any minor and major health issues resulting from it. Besides, it covers pre-existing diabetes after a waiting period of 90 days. It covers in-patient treatments, OPD treatments, modern treatments, AYUSH treatments and day care procedures. Moreover, the policy also covers hospital cash benefit and convalescence benefit.

26. Zurich Kotak Health Premier Plan

    The Zurich Kotak Health Premier plan offers coverage for the treatment cost of diabetes and related illnesses. This health plan covers the cost of in-patient treatment, day care treatment, alternative treatments and ambulance charges. Moreover, it also comes with annual health check-ups, hospital cash benefit and convalescence benefit.