The covid-19 pandemic and the rise in healthcare costs have driven home the point of the importance of insurance, but the percentage of women covered under health insurance is still less compared to men.
Moreover, a recent report by fitness technology company GOQii showed that 71{50531db320f8e8a316d79d6a285e47c71b6e4f6739df32858cb86474d7e720e9} of women fall under the unhealthy category in its health risk assessment spectrum.
“The pandemic has changed a lot, and women are not only managing their households but also their work and families, which increases the stress factor, making them more prone to diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome due to a drastic change in their lifestyle. Since women have to seek regular healthcare facilities, it is wise to have a health insurance policy to manage their finances better,” said Sanjay Datta, chief – underwriting, claims and reinsurance, ICICI Lombard General Insurance.
While there are a number of health insurance options available for women in the market, insurance companies also offer gender-specific plans that provide cover for cancers such as breast, vaginal and ovarian, maternity benefits and congenital disability covers.
Apart from these well-known coverages, insurance plans also offer features that are not commonly known to women.
“A lot of women don’t know about tests and check-ups that they can claim under their health insurance. Early detection tests for cancer in women like mammography for breast cancer and a pap smear test for cervical cancer can be claimed under a health insurance policy. This can be really helpful in detecting such critical illnesses early on. Health insurance can also cover regular check-ups for gynecological problems and ultrasound of the abdomen,” said Dr Sudha Reddy, head – health and travel at Digit Insurance.
Some health insurance plans also cover infertility procedures like intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF).
ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE
Moreover, a motor insurance plan by ICICI Lombard offers coordination of medical services to female motorists. The Women Assist Facility also provides assistance in case a woman is stranded due to a car breakdown anytime between 8pm and 5am.
ManipalCigna had recently launched its Lifetime Health Plan, which comes with an optional feature for women that provides covers for screening tests for osteoporosis and cancer as well as consultations for psychiatric/psychological sessions.
According to experts, while selecting a sum insured under a health insurance policy, women should look at a few factors such as their age, life stage, dependents, pre-existing diseases and the city they live in.