With rider, diabetics get cover from Day 1

Immediate coverage helps those buying their first health plan

- SAIKAT NEOGI

INDIVIDUALS SUFFERING FROM diabetes can now get health insurance coverage from the first day after paying a rider premium. These special plans do not have the usual three-year waiting period for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes and cover those with high HbA1c levels up to 10 or those even on insulin therapy, depending upon the underwriting.

These specialized health insurance plans for people with diabetes provide comprehensive coverage tailored to their specific needs, including regular doctor visits, medications, and preventive care, without the exclusions found in standard policies. While other illnesses or diseases not-related to diabetes are also covered under these plans, there may be a waiting period up to a year.

Siddharth Singhal, head, Health Insurance, Policybazaar.com, says conditions associated with diabetes such as renal failure, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetic retinopathy are covered from day 1 under the specialized coverage plans. "OPD benefits include diagnostic tests, doctor visits, and medicines for diabetes-related conditions," he says.