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According to a recent report by the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP), around 6% to 7% of people in the country suffer from some kind of mental disorder. Once disregarded to be a real problem, over the past few years, there has been an increasing understanding that just like physical well-being, mental health wellbeing is equally important. Thankfully, the insurance industry has also come forward to consider mental health and mental wellbeing to be important aspects of overall health.
With the aim of offering health and financial security to our customers, Care Health Insurance offers Care Supreme, a comprehensive health insurance plan that offers health insurance to you as well as your family members. Let us take a closer look at the plan and understand how it ensures your and your family’s emotional well being and mental health while offering you a safety net for your medical expenses. However, before digging deeper let’s understand what is mental health or why it is important.
Why is Mental Health Important?
Simply put, mental health refers to a state of mental or cognitive well-being. It helps people deal with their everyday activities, cope with the stresses, learn and behave well and contribute to their surroundings. An integral and important part of physical health, mental health affects a person's ability to make decisions, communicate and build relationships with others who live around them. Considered to be a human right by the World Health Organisation, mental health plays an important role in the socioeconomic development of an individual and, consequently, society.
Any kind of exposure to social, geopolitical, economic and environmental difficulties, such as violence, poverty, inequality, etc., can put you at risk of experiencing mental health issues.
Mental Health and Insurance
Understanding the terms and conditions linked to mental health coverage is crucial in today's context. Typically, insurance providers do not have a fixed waiting period for mental health issues. Yet, if a mental condition is disclosed during policy purchase, it's deemed a pre-existing condition. However, this is subject to the waiting period specified in the product’s terms and conditions.
When it comes to pre-existing mental disorders or illnesses, insurance companies can exercise discretion. Some companies may deny insurance coverage to people who have a recent history of severe mental illness, while some insurers may provide coverage but with a higher premium.
As an insurance seeker, it is imperative that you check the coverage available with a clear understanding of the sub-limits. Certain conditions like psychosis, bipolar disorders, schizophrenia, etc. may have certain restrictions on the coverage.
>> Also Read: Do Health Insurance Plans Cover Mental Illnesses?
IRDAI on Mental Health and Wellness
Recognising the significance of mental health, the IRDAI, Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India, under the orders of the Supreme Court, has introduced standardised coverage of mental illnesses. On 27th February 2023, the apex body directed all general and standalone health insurance companies to introduce an appropriate product for people who are suffering from mental disorders. The companies were also instructed to include coverage for mental illness in the health plans, from 1st October 2022.
How Care Supreme Understands the Importance of Your Mental Health
Through Care Supreme, a comprehensive health insurance plan, we at Care Health Insurance wish to incorporate mental health coverage within the umbrella of health insurance. We acknowledge the importance of mental well-being in one's overall health and offer financial assistance for treatment expenses to individuals.
The mental wellness benefit under Care Supreme is offered as an optional cover where the insurer will indemnify the insured individual, for the incurred out-patient medical expenses on listed mental illness. The coverage will be up to the limit specified in your policy. With Care Supreme, you have the option to opt for coverage with a sum insured that starts from INR 7 lakhs and can go up to INR 1 crore. With this policy, you can avail yourself of the benefits of a cashless facility towards counselling, consultation, and rehabilitation during the term of the policy. The policy also allows a cumulative bonus of up to 50% of the sum insured every year, up to a maximum of 100% of the sum insured. The mentioned below is the scope of coverage under mental wellness benefit of Care Supreme Health Insurance plan:
1. Acute Depression
Depression is a severe mood disorder that can affect your body. Caused by an imbalance in the brain chemicals, depression touches every aspect of one’s life. While it tends to be genetic, there are certain events that can trigger acute depression. However, sometimes, it can develop without a clear trigger. Common symptoms of acute depression are:
- Loss of interest in everyday activities
- Sad mood for a long time
- Changes in appetite
- Changes in sleep pattern
- Decreased energy and feeling of worthlessness.
Treatment is crucial in case you are suffering from depression, or else it can become more serious and severe. Get in touch with your doctor in case you have the symptoms mentioned above, and keep your mental health and wellness under check.
2. Obsessive-compulsive Disorder
Obsessive-compulsive disorder, better known as OCD, is a pattern of usually unwanted fears and thoughts that can affect your everyday functioning. These patterns can be described as obsession and can cause a lot of distress, and in order to ease this stress, the patient indulges in compulsive acts, making it a vicious cycle.
As a patient, you may often feel embarrassed and frustrated about your condition, but bear in mind that treatment for OCD can be quite effective. Get in touch with your doctor to ensure health and mental wellbeing.
3. Anxiety
While feeling anxious seems a part of everyday life, sometimes excessive anxiety can take the form of fear, panic or terror and affect your quality of life. Patients with anxiety disorder frequently experience excessive worry, which is often persistent. Even everyday situations can make you feel extremely uncomfortable. An up-regulating emotion, it can cause increased heart rate, difficulty in breathing and sweating.
Thankfully, lifestyle changes, behavioural therapy, and medication can offer effective treatment.
4. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
In most cases, Post-traumatic stress disorder, also called PTSD, is a consequence of a tragic or terrifying incident. You may have experienced something which continues to bother you in the form of flashbacks, anxiety attacks or nightmares.
While a lot of people who go through traumatic events may have difficulty in adjusting, with time and proper care, things can get better. In case the event happened months ago and you still get so disturbed that it affects your everyday activities, you should discuss your mental wellbeing concerns with your doctor.
Final Word
In the context of the national level efforts, the WHO considers it to be vital that the governments/ authorities not only promote mental health and emotional wellbeing, but also address the needs of the people suffering from mental health issues. WHO suggests that just like physical care, good mental well-being is treated as a part of general health care.
At Care Health Insurance, we understand the care gap in common mental health conditions. We strive to find innovative ways so that we can diversify and scale up care for these conditions through our health insurance coverage. By offering coverage for physical and mental health care, we ensure mental health and wellness for all our customers.
As we value your feedback, kindly share your thoughts on this article. Feel free to connect with our experts for any health insurance-related advice.
Disclaimers: The above information is for reference purposes only: Policy Assurance and Claims at the underwriter's discretion.
