What is the best medical insurance for diabetes patients?

Living with diabetes can be an everyday struggle – from wearing orthopedic shoes to protect your feet to eliminating sugar from your diet (it can be especially hard when mango season rolls around. The sheer willpower it takes to hold back from indulging in season and fresh mangoes should not go unnoticed).

Sadly, India has the second-highest diabetic population in the world; most of whom fall between the age group of 29 to 70. Though common, diabetes is one of the most expensive diseases – its chronic and high-risk nature and its associated complications lead to high cost.

It’s unfortunate enough that diabetic patients have to sacrifice their sugar intake, they shouldn’t have to sacrifice on their insurance too. Here are some things to look for to ensure that diabetic patients get the best medical insurance.

Best Medical Insurance for Diabetic Patients

While your insurance policy most likely covers diabetes, it is considered a pre-existing disease under some circumstances. To avoid any surprises in the future, let’s dive into what is and isn’t covered for diabetic patients.

First, to find the best medical insurance plan for a diabetic patient, it’s important to know the type of diabetes they have. There are two types of diabetes – Type 1 and Type 2.

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed at an early age, in children and young adults, and those with this type of diabetes are highly dependent on insulin. Unfortunately, this would not be covered under your health insurance plan and requires a specific diabetes health insurance plan to cover those with Type 1 diabetes.

When you opt for a special diabetes plan, it covers your

• Medicine costs
• Hospitalisation expenses
• Doctor’s consultation fees
• Diagnostic tests

Since all of these are covered by your diabetes plan, all you will have to worry about is recovery.

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes found in India, mostly caused by obesity, being overweight, and inactivity.

Fortunately, Type 2 diabetes is covered under your health insurance plan as it is the most common type. However, in order to make the claim and receive the sum insured, you will have to wait through the waiting period. The waiting period is usually around 48 months. This waiting period is brought down to 36 months with Chola MS’ Flexi health policy.

While diabetes can be covered under your health insurance policy or specific diabetes policies, it is a long struggle – for the patients and their dependents. The medical expenses are greater for diabetics than non-diabetics, as they are more at risk for other illnesses as well.

However, it’s important to note that you can reduce your insurance premium with a controlled diet and regular exercise. Much like motor insurance where you can get lower insurance premiums when you take precautionary measures to ensure your own safety, you can get lower premiums on your diabetes health insurance when you take extra steps to ensure good health and lower the risk that diabetes poses. That way, you don’t just benefit from lower premiums, but also good health in the long run.