Q. Does weight matter in health insurance?

Ans: Yes, your weight is an important factor in deciding your health insurance premium. Health insurance companies calculate your BMI levels and weight to assess any health risks you currently have or may develop in the future. A higher BMI can increase the premium because it shows a greater risk of developing any lifestyle diseases like diabetes, hypertension, heart issues, etc.

Q. What are some of the factors that affect health insurance premiums?

Ans: Some of the factors that affect your health insurance premium are your age, weight, BMI, pre-existing diseases, family medical history, smoking and drinking habits, sum insured, coverage, etc.

Q. How does obesity affect health insurance?

Ans: Since obesity is associated with several chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, etc., it attracts a high premium. In some cases, additional medical check-ups may be required before your health insurance application is approved by your insurer.

Q. How much does weight affect health insurance?

Ans: Your weight and BMI matter in health insurance and can impact your premiums. While severe obesity can lead to a higher chance of policy exclusions or rejections, even moderate obesity can increase your premium.

Q. How much weight should I lose to see health benefits?

Ans: Even a 5â10% reduction in body weight can improve your blood pressure, cholesterol levels, insulin sensitivity, etc., and your overall health.

Q. Is obesity count as a medical condition?

Ans: Yes, obesity is considered a medical condition because it can trigger other serious illnesses, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, joint problems, etc. A higher BMI often indicates obesity risks and attracts higher health insurance premiums.

Q. How is premium calculated in health insurance?

Ans: Health insurance premiums are calculated based on your age, BMI, sum insured, policy type, medical history, city of residence, coverage, etc.

Q. Does BMI affect health insurance premium?

Ans: Yes, BMI directly affects health insurance premiums. BMI levels indicate the possibility of developing chronic health issues in the future, which is why a higher BMI results in a high premium as they increase the liability of the insurance company.

Q. What is the BMI for health insurance in India?

Ans: A BMI of 18.5â24.9 is generally considered 'normal' by health insurance companies in India.

How Weight Impacts Health Insurance Premiums?

Why Does Weight Matter in Health Insurance?

Your body weight is not only about your health but also an important deciding factor of the premium of your health insurance policy. On top of it, it could also be one of the reasons for a rejected application. This is because your weight and BMI help to flag the possibility of developing any chronic diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension, heart issues, etc.

Health insurance companies calculate your premium based on the health risks you may have when buying the policy or may develop in the future. If the insurer believes you have higher health risks, your policy will have a high premium. For example, if your BMI is above 30, you will be classified as obese. Since being obese increases your health risks, your insurer may charge you a higher premium than someone with a healthy BMI of 23.

To avoid a high medical insurance premium, you can use BMI calculators to find out your BMI in advance and work on it if you are underweight, overweight, or obese. Similarly, using an ideal weight calculator to know your target body weight is also helpful.

Impact of Obesity on Health Insurance

Obesity is a high-risk health condition that can lead to chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, fatty liver, high cholesterol, etc. As a result, the medical insurance premium for an obese person is higher than that of a fit person. Since obesity can be flagged for most people using their BMI and body weight, health insurance companies often set strict eligibility criteria for applicants with a high BMI and weight, affecting their health insurance premiums.

Having obesity or related diseases does not necessarily mean that insurers will not offer you a mediclaim policy. In fact, you can buy health insurance for obesity that covers the cost of obesity treatments, bariatric surgery, diagnostic tests, non-medical expenses, etc. However, the coverage will be available after a waiting period of 2-3 years, depending on your plan.

How Obesity Affects Health Insurance Premiums?

Let us understand how obesity commonly affects the premium of your mediclaim policy:

Higher Premium Rates: People with obesity, unhealthy BMI and high body weight are often charged a higher health insurance premium than someone who is healthy and fit. This is because such people have a high risk of developing chronic diseases in the near future.

Additional Pre-Policy Check-Ups: Some insurers may ask you to undergo pre-policy health check-ups, Insurers may impose an extra waiting period or, in some cases, exclude obesity-related treatments and complications from your health insurance coverage if you are obese.

Extra Waiting Period: Insurers may impose an extra waiting period or, in some cases, exclude obesity-related treatments and complications from your health insurance coverage if you are obese.

Reject your Health Insurance Application: In cases of severe obesity and other health issues, your health insurance application can also be rejected.

Should You Lose Weight Before Applying for Health Insurance?

Yes. Losing weight not only helps you reach your ideal body weight and a normal BMI range, but it also reduces the probability of developing chronic diseases. This, in turn, helps to reduce your health insurance premium. Even a slight reduction in your weight can improve your insurance eligibility and make your mediclaim policy more affordable.

However, you do not need to be underweight or malnourished to get a medical insurance plan. If you are obese or overweight, you can plan to reduce your BMI naturally. Lower BMI levels not only mean low health insurance premiums but also improve cholesterol levels, regulate blood pressure, and control your blood sugar.

FAQs

Q. Does weight matter in health insurance?

Ans: Yes, your weight is an important factor in deciding your health insurance premium. Health insurance companies calculate your BMI levels and weight to assess any health risks you currently have or may develop in the future. A higher BMI can increase the premium because it shows a greater risk of developing any lifestyle diseases like diabetes, hypertension, heart issues, etc.
Q. What are some of the factors that affect health insurance premiums?

Ans: Some of the factors that affect your health insurance premium are your age, weight, BMI, pre-existing diseases, family medical history, smoking and drinking habits, sum insured, coverage, etc.
Q. How does obesity affect health insurance?

Ans: Since obesity is associated with several chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, etc., it attracts a high premium. In some cases, additional medical check-ups may be required before your health insurance application is approved by your insurer.
Q. How much does weight affect health insurance?

Ans: Your weight and BMI matter in health insurance and can impact your premiums. While severe obesity can lead to a higher chance of policy exclusions or rejections, even moderate obesity can increase your premium.
Q. How much weight should I lose to see health benefits?

Ans: Even a 5–10% reduction in body weight can improve your blood pressure, cholesterol levels, insulin sensitivity, etc., and your overall health.
Q. Is obesity count as a medical condition?

Ans: Yes, obesity is considered a medical condition because it can trigger other serious illnesses, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, joint problems, etc. A higher BMI often indicates obesity risks and attracts higher health insurance premiums.
Q. How is premium calculated in health insurance?

Ans: Health insurance premiums are calculated based on your age, BMI, sum insured, policy type, medical history, city of residence, coverage, etc.
Q. Does BMI affect health insurance premium?

Ans: Yes, BMI directly affects health insurance premiums. BMI levels indicate the possibility of developing chronic health issues in the future, which is why a higher BMI results in a high premium as they increase the liability of the insurance company.
Q. What is the BMI for health insurance in India?

Ans: A BMI of 18.5–24.9 is generally considered 'normal' by health insurance companies in India.

How Health Insurance Premiums are Affected by Weight?