Vector-Borne Diseases Insurance: Coverage & Benefits

Most often, everyone gets bitten by a mosquito, flea or tick. These insects are nothing but vectors that spread pathogens. If you’re bitten by any of these vectors and get sick, it means you’re suffering from vector-borne disease. Vector-borne diseases mostly comprise of malaria, dengue, yellow fever, chikungunya, among others. There is as such no preventive vaccine for the treatment. In India, the cost of treatment of such diseases can range from Rs.35,000 to Rs.75,000.Every year, several people succumb to malaria or dengue mainly because they cannot afford the medical cost and drain their hard-earned savings to avail treatment. This necessitates the need for having a health insurance policy . Most individual and family health cover plans cover these types of vector-borne diseases.

In order to avail specific coverage for vector-borne diseases, there is a waiting period, which is the time required to cover certain diseases.

• If you’re already diagnosed with any vector-borne disease and purchase a health insurance policy, there is a waiting period of 60 days.
• As a buyer, if you renew the health insurance policy after 60 days from the date of admission of paid claim, you are required to wait for 15 days.
• If you renew the policy within 60 days from the date of admission of paid claim, you get 60 days cooling-off period. This period is applicable only for diagnosed diseases and not for vector-borne diseases.

• Typically, a health insurance plan offers a free lock-in period of 15 days.
• You can avail free treatment for some illness or diseases with the cashless facility at network hospitals.
• You get lifetime renewability facility for a health insurance policy.
• You get a rebate of 20% if you buy the health plan directly from the online portal.
• If you have a family floater health insurance plan , you have the provision to add spouse, children and parents.

Health risks are on the rise, as well as the cost of availing healthcare services. You should buy health insurance cover for your family, irrespective of the scenario whether your loved ones will be infected with any of the vector-borne diseases or not. With a health plan, you get quality medical care, and it keeps your savings intact.

The information contained herein is generic in nature and is meant for educational purposes only. Nothing here is to be construed as an investment or financial or taxation advice nor to be considered as an invitation or solicitation or advertisement for any financial product. Readers are advised to exercise discretion and should seek independent professional advice prior to making any investment decision in relation to any financial product. Aditya Birla Capital Group is not liable for any decision arising out of the use of this information.