Health Insurance for Hypertension - Best Coverage Options

Hypertension, also called high blood pressure, is a medical condition characterized by increased pressure levels in the arteries that carry blood from the heart to the rest of the body. 

Our blood pressure usually falls and rises multiple times throughout the day. This blood pressure is measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg) and is recorded as systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings. 

1. The systolic blood pressure (number on top) measures the blood pressure in the arteries when the heart pumps blood. 
2. The diastolic blood pressure (number at the bottom) measures the blood pressure in the arteries when the heart rests between two beats.
3. The normal blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg, here 120 denotes systolic and 80 denotes diastolic blood pressure. Blood pressure higher than 120/80 mmHg is called hypertension.

Hypertension can have a significant impact on a person’s health. Over time, it can affect important organs such as the heart, brain, eyes, and kidneys. The damage to these organs may occur over time. If left untreated, hypertension may cause:

1. Angina (chest pain)
2. Heart attack: Hypertension may damage the arteries and the blood supply to the heart may get blocked which may prevent the blood flow to the heart muscles. 
3. Heart failure: Hypertension may increase the workload of the heart which may cause the heart to enlarge and fail to pump blood to other organs.
4. Vision loss: High blood pressure may damage the blood vessels in the eyes which may affect vision and lead to blindness if not treated in time.
5. Kidney disease/failure: Hypertension may damage the arteries in the kidneys and affect their ability to filter blood properly.
6. Stroke: High blood pressure may cause the arteries that supply oxygen and blood to the brain to be blocked or burst which may cause a stroke.
7. Peripheral artery disease (PAD): Atherosclerosis caused by hypertension may lead to narrowed arteries in the arms and legs, which may cause fatigue and pain. 
8. Sexual dysfunction: Hypertension may cause erectile dysfunction in men and may affect the libido in women too.

Hypertension is a chronic condition that increases the risk of serious health problems such as heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease. While lifestyle changes such as exercise, a healthy diet, and stress management can help control hypertension, medications are often necessary to manage the condition effectively.

Health insurance for hypertension is an important consideration for individuals, as it can

1. Help cover the cost of medications, doctor visits, and other necessary medical services.
2. provide access to preventative services such as blood pressure screenings and lifestyle interventions, which can help to prevent or control hypertension.
3. Provide peace of mind for individuals with hypertension. Knowing that medical expenses are covered can help reduce stress and improve overall quality of life.

Without health insurance for hypertension, individuals may struggle to afford the care they need, which can lead to untreated or poorly managed hypertension and increased risk of complications. In addition, they may face financial hardship from medical bills and expenses.

Now that you know the importance of health insurance for hypertension, you must be curious to know the best health insurance plans that are available for hypertension. Some of the best health insurance plans for hypertension are as follows:

1. Adtiya Birla Health Insurance: This insurance company provides a plan called “Aditya Birla Activ Health Platinum Enhanced” In the essential plan, the coverage provided is up to ₹10 Lacs, and the enhanced plan provides coverage for up to ₹ 2 Crore. 
   1. The minimum age of enrolment under the Aditya Birla health Insurance is 91 days.
   2. The types of costs covered under Aditya Birla Health Insurance related to hypertension are: doctor’s fee, diagnostic costs, medicinal costs and hospitalisation costs.
   3. There is no maximum age criteria for entry. During the enrolment process, you will undergo a medical check-up to determine your current health state. 
   4. The waiting period for this plan is 2 years.
   5. This plan provides both a cashless and reimbursement claim process. If you enroll for a reimbursement claim process, you have to submit the medical bills to your insurance company, they will reimburse the amount of money. Whereas, if you have enrolled for a cashless policy, the insurance company will pay the amount directly to the hospital.
2. Care Health Insurance: This insurance provider offers a plan called “Care Freedom Plan” which covers hypertension. Care Freedom Plan is a comprehensive health insurance plan for diabetes and hypertension.
   1. For Care Freedom Plan 1, the minimum entry age for a child is 91 days, and for an adult is 18 years.
   2. There are no maximum age criteria for entry for adults, for children the maximum entry age is 24 years. 
   3. The plan covers:
      1. Hospitalisation and in-patient care expenses with daycare treatment.
      2. Ambulance cover (in case of emergency)
      3. Pre- and post-hospitalisation medical expenses
      4. Domiciliary hospitalisation (at-home treatment)
      5. Consumable allowance per day up to 7 consecutive days of hospitalisation
      6. Automatic recharge
      7. Discounts on premium
      8. Tax benefits
   4. Along with these benefits, the health insurance plan also has some add-on benefits, such as:
      1. Covers COVID-19 treatment costs
      2. Reimburse for COVID-19 treatment and OPD services
      3. Annual health check-up
      4. Home care for hiring a nurse
   5. The waiting period for this plan is 2 years
   6. This plan also provides cashless as well as reimbursement claim process. As you submit a duly-signed claim form and essential documents like medical bills to your insurance company, they will reimburse the amount of money. If you have enrolled for a cashless claim, the insurance company will directly pay the bills to the hospital.
3. HDFC ERGO Health Insurance: The Energy Health Plan of HDFC ERGO is mainly designed for people with hypertension and diabetes.
   1. The HDFC ERGO Energy Plan is for people aged 18 to 65 years. 
   2. This plan covers
      1. Expenses of hospitalisation
      2. Pre- and post-hospitalisation (30 days before admission to the hospital till 60 days after discharge).
      3. Day-care procedures
      4. Ambulance cover (in case of emergency)
      5. Lifelong renewability
      6. Tax savings,
      7. Wellness support
      8. Health coach.
   3. You can register and track claims through their website and avail of your preferred mode of claim settlement.
   4. There is no waiting period, and it provides coverage from day 1.
4. Max Bupa Health Insurance: It is a popular insurance provider in India, offering comprehensive health coverage plans that include coverage for hypertension. Here are some details about Max Bupa Health Insurance for hypertension:
   1. Max Bupa Health Insurance covers hypertension and related complications, including heart disease and kidney problems.
   2. Max Bupa offers several health insurance plans, including Heartbeat, Health Companion, and GoActive. These plans offer varying levels of coverage, with Heartbeat providing the most comprehensive coverage.
   3. Max Bupa Health Insurance plans offer benefits such as cashless hospitalization, coverage for pre-existing conditions, and wellness programs.
   4. Max Bupa Health Insurance plans are available for a policy term of one, two, or three years.
   5. The premium for Max Bupa Health Insurance plans varies based on factors such as age, policy term, and coverage amount.
   6. The insurance has a large network of hospitals across India, providing cashless hospitalization and other benefits to policyholders.
   7. It has a high claim settlement ratio, indicating that they have a good track record of settling claims.
5. ICICI Lombard Health Insurance: ICICI Lombard offers a comprehensive health insurance policy called "Complete Health Insurance."
   1. The policy covers hospitalization expenses for hypertension and other pre-existing conditions after a waiting period of 24 months.
   2. Additionally, the policy also covers pre-hospitalization and post-hospitalization expenses, daycare procedures, and alternative treatments like Ayurveda and Homeopathy.
   3. The policy also provides coverage for mental illnesses, organ donor expenses, and emergency ambulance services.
   4. Customers can customize the policy by choosing from various add-ons like critical illness cover, personal accident cover, and international coverage.
6. Bajaj Allianz Health Insurance: Bajaj Allianz offers a health insurance policy called "Health Guard."
   1. The policy covers hospitalization expenses for hypertension and other pre-existing conditions after a waiting period of 24 months.
   2. Additionally, the policy covers pre-hospitalization and post-hospitalization expenses, day-care procedures, and AYUSH treatments.
   3. The policy also offers various add-ons such as critical illness cover, personal accident cover, and international coverage.
   4. Customers can avail of cashless treatment facilities at more than 6,000 network hospitals across India.

Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY). The Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY is a popular scheme launched by our Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi on 23rd September 2018.

1. PM-JAY is the largest health insurance scheme worldwide that provides health coverage of ₹5 Lakhs per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation to more than 10.74 crore vulnerable and poor families. 
2. This scheme covers:
   1. Consultation, medical examination, and treatment
   2. Pre-hospitalisation
   3. Food services
   4. Diagnostic and laboratory investigation
   5. Medicine and medical consumables
   6. Accommodation benefits
   7. Non-intensive and intensive care services
   8. Medical implantation services (if required)
   9. Post-hospitalisation follow-up care till 15 days
   10. Complications occur during the treatment.

Having health insurance coverage for hypertension can offer numerous benefits for individuals with this chronic condition. Here are some of the key benefits:

1. Financial protection: Health insurance can help to cover the costs of medical care related to hypertension, such as doctor visits, lab tests, medications, and hospitalization. This can help to reduce the financial burden of managing this condition.
2. Access to care: Health insurance can help to ensure that individuals with hypertension have access to the care they need. This can include regular check-ups, blood pressure monitoring, and other preventive services.
3. Improved health outcomes: Regular medical care and treatment can help individuals with hypertension to control their blood pressure and prevent complications such as heart disease, stroke, and kidney damage.
4. Peace of mind: Knowing that you have health insurance coverage for hypertension can provide peace of mind and reduce stress related to medical bills and expenses.
5. Cost savings: By having health insurance coverage for hypertension, individuals may be able to save money on medical care and related expenses, as well as avoid paying penalties for not having insurance.

Choosing the best health insurance for hypertension requires careful consideration of several key factors. Here are some tips to help you make an informed decision:

1. Coverage for hypertension: Look for a health insurance plan that specifically covers hypertension, including doctor visits, blood pressure monitoring, and medications.
2. Network of providers: Check the health insurance plan's network of providers to ensure that there are doctors and specialists in your area who can help you manage your hypertension.
3. Prescription drug coverage: Make sure that the health insurance plan covers the medications that you need to manage your hypertension, and check to see if there are any restrictions or limitations on prescription drug coverage.
4. Cost-sharing: Review the cost-sharing requirements of the health insurance plan, including copays, deductibles, and coinsurance, to determine how much you will need to pay out of pocket for hypertension-related care.
5. Annual limits: Check for annual limits on coverage for hypertension-related care, including doctor visits, lab tests, and medications, to ensure that the health insurance plan provides adequate coverage.
6. Customer service: Consider the customer service reputation of the health insurance plan, including how easy it is to contact customer service representatives and how quickly they respond to inquiries.
7. Premiums: Compare the premiums of different health insurance plans to ensure that you are getting good value for your money.

Health insurance for hypertension can help keep your financial burdens at bay in the long run. Several people have hypertension due to the fast-paced and sedentary lifestyle. Having a backup for your medical bills can make you stress-free. Some insurance plans that provide coverage for hypertension are Aditya Birla Activ Health Platinum Enhanced, Care Freedom Plan, HDFC ERGO Health Energy Plan, etc. With health insurance, you do not have to worry about your doctor’s fee, diagnostic fees, and medicine expenses.