Soon, diabetics to get a tailor-made med policy

Mumbai: A public sector insurance company plans to launch a policy that would cover the cost of treating diabetics and diabetes-related ailments soon after the client buys the cover. Presently, diabetics can file a claim for diabetes-related treatment only if the treatment is received at least four years after the patient takes the policy. The Oriental Insurance Company 

(OIC) now wants to enable a diabetic to avail of insurance cover a month after the policy is issued. 
    India is considered the diabetes capital of the world as one in five diabetics in the world is an Indian. The current policies in the market classify diabetes as a pre-existing ailment, hence the four-year waiting period. The diabetic is expected to declare his or her condition at the time of enrolling for the policy. Such policy holders pay for hospitalization from their own pockets during the waiting period. 
    "The new policy will be tailor-made for diabetics. Premiums, terms and conditions are yet to be finalized," said Amitabh Mitra, chief regional manager, OIC. 
SWEET TIDINGS 

• Currently, insurance cos classify diabetes as a pre-existing disease 

• Diabetics can file a claim for diabetes-related treatment only if the treatment is received at least four years after a policy is issued 

• Many diabetics hide their condition while acquiring a medical policy— only to be caught out later 

• Oriental Insurance Company will launch a medical policy that will provide a diabetic insurance cover starting a month after the policy is issued Spl policy will get quality treatment for diabetics 
Mumbai: Presently, several diabetics hide their condition when taking a medical insurance policy so that they don't have to wait four years before filing a claim. "Many patients are unaware that hiding their diabetes can lead to repudiation of a claim," said OIC health manager Bipin Navsariwala. "A claims investigator eventually comes to know the truth on the basis of medical case history, medical reports and the medicines used to control sugar levels. For this reason, insurance firms are apprehensive of providing cover to patients with diabetes." 
    Dr Ajay Thakkar, chairman and managing director, Jupiter Lifeline Hospitals, Thane, said, "It is high time that a policy takes into account the interest of diabetics. Almost 20% of patients over 45 who are admitted in our hospital are diabetics." 
    Diabetics require special medical care because of various factors. For example, heavy fluctuation in sugar levels due to hypoglycaemia can render a patient unconscious, which can also lead to brain damage. Retinopathy could lead to blindness due to damage to the retina. Urinary infection is also common and wounds take a longer time to heal. In such cases, doctors prescribe higher doses of antibiotics, which can make treatment expensive, Thakkar added. 
    "In diabetics, high bloodsugar damages and weakens blood vessels, causing them to narrow," Thakkar said. "This mainly affects the legs. This disease is categorized as peripheral vascular disease, in which amputation of the leg cannot be ruled out. Healing of wounds is prolonged in cases where people have this ailment. A special policy for diabetics would help the patient get quality treatment." 
    Cardiologist Dr Bhaskar Shah said, "Diabetes is one of the risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Heart patients with diabetes take more time to recuperate as compared to others." 
    Parth Bhatt, director, Medsol Plus Pvt Ltd, a wellness firm, said, "There is an increase in demand for diabetic awareness counselling sessions as family members of such patients undergo psychological and financial stress. The first thing they ask is whether any insurance policy is available in the market to cover the cost of treatment."