How health insurance protects your mental health amid recurring outbreaks of COVID-19

Two years have passed, but the impact of COVID-19 on mankind has not diminished. Virus attacks in new forms or forms are still concentrated – deltas, non-microns or more recent sub-variants, adding more uncertainty and anxiety in all aspects of life.

Physical fitness, and financial well-being, creating fear of unemployment or low income, limiting social interaction, and most importantly, the fear of losing loved ones is taking a toll on the mental health of people around the world.

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According to the 2020 survey of the Indian Psychiatry Society, more than 40 per cent of Indians suffer from mental health problems.

It has multiplied after repeated waves of epidemics. Frontline workers suffering from burnout, stress and insomnia around the clock due to excessive workloads are also seeing an additional impact on mental wellbeing.

Thus, as a step towards securing a positive mental state for the Indian people, IRDAI issued new guidelines in 2020 mandating medical coverage of mental health or mental disorders under health insurance. It also includes mental disorders, stress and neurological diseases.

However, awareness about this update is still low. As we celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month, we better understand this feature with the aim of protecting the mental health of policyholders, especially in the midst of an epidemic.

What is defined as a mental illness?

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All insurers must comply with the definition of the Mental Health Care Act 2017 which defines the illness as a significant disorder of a person’s mood, thoughts, perceptions, orientation or memory as it affects behaviour, decision making, decision-making or interferes with the ability to meet normal. daily activities.

What is covered under a health insurance policy?

As per the recent IRDAI guidelines, mental health as well as physical health is now covered by health insurance. This will protect the policyholder from expenses due to possible mental disorders.

Also, insurers cannot deny coverage to people who have previously used opioids or anti-depressants. Policyholders with a proven history of clinical depression, personality or neurodegenerative disorders, sociopathy and psychopathy will also be covered.

Coverage allows the policyholder to-

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charges, medicines, medical expenses, room rent, and ambulance charges on account of diagnosis.

Any expenditure incurred when hospitalized under inpatient care for a mental illness.
Some plans may cover insurers from the cost of outpatient counseling or rehabilitation for medical or mental illness.

Hence, review your current health insurance plan for both mental illness and OPD options. As a recommendation, buy a policy that covers OPDs because in the case of mental illness, patients are likely to need personal care in the form of counseling or therapy.

Coverage for IPD will be as per the IPD benefit of the policy.
Accordingly, some of the illnesses that fall under mental conditions and are covered under insurance include:

Severe depression
Bipolar disorder
A type of mental disorder
anxiety disorders
obsessive-compulsive disorder
attention-deficit/hyperactivity conditions
Post traumatic stress disease
Mood disturbances
mind explosion
Who can get it?

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In addition to the illnesses defined and listed, other people who can purchase mental health insurance coverage include those who have a history of using antidepressants or opioids. The insurer just has to declare it as a PED, and it is up to the insurer to underwrite the risk.

However, in most psychological situations, the chances of getting a policy are higher because insurers have innovated and made revaluation significantly easier.

In addition, individuals with a proven record of clinical depression, personality or neurodegenerative disorders, sociopathy and psychopathy insurance are eligible. Alternatively, the other straightforward scenario is if a person buys a policy and then suffers from a mental illness.

What is not included?

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The main thing excluded from the policy is mental retardation. It is also referred to as intellectual disability because it is primarily a disability resulting from neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by impaired intellectual and adaptive functioning.

Are there any waiting periods applicable?

If someone has a pre-existing mental disorder, the insurer will not offer policy benefits immediately, but there will be a waiting period. This means claiming costs; The policyholder has to wait for a certain period of time from the date of issue of the policy.

Depending on the insurance purchased, this period can be anywhere from 2-3 years. Hence, it’s best to start early, which means making it part of your first coverage plan.

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How health insurance protects your mental health amid recurring outbreaks of COVID-19

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(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by News East India staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)