In our nation, mental health concerns have long been shunned and avoided. However, we are fortunate to be able to see a big change in the same. More people, even celebrities, are upfront about mental illnesses now than they were in the past. Additionally, the way health insurance policies are written has been impacted by this progressive change.
Health insurance policies have traditionally solely covered physical illnesses or problems. But going forward, they also need to consider mental disorders/illnesses. All thanks to the Mental Healthcare Act of 2017’s introduction. In a nutshell, the Act paves the way for giving physical and mental health issues equal weight.
All insurers have received circulars from India’s Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDAI) urging them to start abiding by the Act as soon as possible. #
Understanding Mental Illness
All insurers are required to abide by the definition of mental disease provided by the Mental Healthcare Act of 2017. According to the Act, a person has a mental illness if there is a significant abnormality in their mood, thinking, perception, orientation, or memory that impairs their behaviour, decision-making, judgement, or capacity to carry out regular day-to-day tasks. Since mental retardation is typically caused by incomplete or stopped brain development, the Act excludes it from the definition.
Health Insurance Plan Exclusions
Mental health insurance has exclusions, just like any other insurance plan. Exclusions are essentially events or circumstances for which the plan does not provide health insurance coverage in India. Furthermore, you must be aware of these possibilities. You can prevent your insurer from rejecting your claim by doing this.
There are two glaring omissions from the concept of mental disease if you follow them. First off, no form of mental disability would be covered by the policies. Second, the proposal would also not include results from drug or alcohol addiction.
It should be highlighted that insurers are still in the early stages of putting these changes into practice. The likelihood of them releasing updated health insurance plans is pretty high. There might also be some more exclusions in those.
One may have to wait for some intriguing elements when insurers reevaluate their policies. For example, would insurers impose waiting periods for specific mental conditions the same way they do for physical conditions? Another tough issue to watch out for is how insurers handle pre-existing mental conditions.
Variations in Premiums
Since the Act was only established the year before, the majority of insurers still needed to include them in their plans. Although it might not seem like anything is changing on the outside, there is. One cannot be certain of the following stages until all of these adjustments have been made. It would also raise insurance rates.
It is important to understand the details of your health insurance plans for family coverage for mental health, including copays, deductibles, and network providers, to ensure that you receive the necessary care without undue financial burden.
# Visit the official website of IRDAI for further details.
Insurance is the subject matter of solicitation. For more details on benefits, exclusions, limitations, terms, and conditions, please read the sales brochure/policy wording carefully before concluding a sale.
