AYUSH Treatment Coverage in Health Insurance: How to Maximise Your Health Insurance Benefits

In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, traditional medicine systems like Ayurveda, Homoeopathy, and Naturopathy have gained considerable recognition alongside modern medical science. Increasingly, individuals are seeking out alternative forms of treatment that embrace natural ingredients and holistic approaches to wellness. Acknowledging this shift, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) took a significant step in 2013 by introducing coverage for these alternative medications within health insurance policies. As a result, medical insurance has become more inclusive, ensuring individuals have access to a wider range of treatments. This article elucidates everything you need to know about AYUSH Treatment Coverage in health insurance.

What is AYUSH Treatment?

AYUSH Treatment includes various alternative medicine systems such as Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy. These traditional methods of promoting health and well-being are embraced by a significant number of individuals globally. Renowned for their affordability and minimal side effects, these practices have garnered widespread popularity among people seeking alternative healthcare solutions.

What are the benefits of AYUSH Treatment?

Here are some benefits of AYUSH Treatment that are worth knowing:

1. No Adverse Effects:

In contrast to modern medical treatments, AYUSH Treatment does not cause any unwanted side effects. Since AYUSH therapies utilise herbs and natural ingredients, they are known for their minimal to zero adverse reactions during treatment.

2. Cost-effective:

As medical expenses continue to rise, accessing quality treatment becomes challenging for many individuals. However, AYUSH Treatment is highly cost-effective, allowing anyone to avail themselves of its benefits without exhausting their savings.

3. Holistic Approach:

Ayurveda recognises the interconnectedness of the soul, senses, mind, and body in humans. Therefore, AYUSH Treatment adopts a holistic approach by considering all these aspects when treating a disease. This comprehensive approach enhances overall well-being.

4. Targets the Root Cause:

Unlike conventional medical approaches, AYUSH Treatment focuses on eliminating the root cause of a disease rather than merely addressing its symptoms.

5. Easy Access to AYUSH Practitioners:

AYUSH Treatment is particularly sought after in remote areas where finding conventional hospitals can be challenging. In such regions, it is relatively easier to find AYUSH Practitioners, ensuring accessibility to alternative healthcare options.

6. Elderly-friendly:

As the body's response to certain medications and therapies diminishes with age, AYUSH Treatment proves highly beneficial for elderly individuals. The milder medicines utilised in AYUSH Treatment are easier for them to tolerate, enabling their bodies to respond more effectively.

7. Addresses Lifestyle Diseases:

The modern lifestyle, characterised by sedentary routines and long working hours, often leads to problems like back pain and obesity. AYUSH Treatment offers effective solutions for such lifestyle-related ailments, providing relief and improving overall well-being.

8. Effective for Chronic Diseases:

In modern medicine, chronic diseases like diabetes often require frequent injections and the intake of numerous medications. In contrast, AYUSH Treatment aims to naturally manage chronic diseases without causing discomfort. Consequently, AYUSH Treatment is highly preferred for addressing long-term health conditions.

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What are the benefits of AYUSH Treatment Coverage in health insurance?

AYUSH Treatment presents a long-term approach that can potentially alleviate the substantial financial burden on your savings. Therefore, it is wise to have a financial safety net to protect your savings while undergoing natural remedy procedures. This is where health insurance coverage for AYUSH Treatment becomes crucial. However, since this form of healthcare is unconventional, there may be slight variations in the coverage provided by health insurance plans.

Key Features And Benefits of AYUSH Treatment Coverage:

1. Convenient Access to Premium AYUSH Healthcare Facilities:

Health insurance covering AYUSH Treatment ensures easy access to high-quality AYUSH healthcare centres and hospitals for in-hospitalisation treatments.

2. Potential Coverage Savings:

Since the cost of AYUSH Treatment is generally lower than conventional medical treatments, your sum insured may not be fully utilised. This leaves you with adequate coverage to address other medical emergencies.

3. Natural Remedies for Lifestyle Diseases:

AYUSH healthcare coverage enables you to pursue natural remedies for the treatment of lifestyle diseases, providing you with a holistic approach to wellness.

4. Comprehensive Healthcare Support:

With AYUSH health insurance coverage, you can bridge gaps in mainstream medicine and treatment regimens without worrying about financial strain. You have the flexibility to opt for allopathic treatments for major ailments and AYUSH Treatments for managing side effects and minor symptoms, knowing that your health insurance will provide financial backing in both cases.

5. Coverage Range:

The extent of coverage offered for AYUSH Treatment may range from 10% of the sum insured to the entire sum insured, depending on your specific health insurance policy.

What are the exclusions of AYUSH Treatment coverage in health insurance?

1. Many health insurance policies do not provide coverage for AYUSH evaluation and examination fees.

2. If the policyholder receives AYUSH Treatment in a medical facility that lacks recognition from the Government, the insurer does not cover the charges.

3. Expenses related to pre and post-hospitalisation are excluded from the coverage provided by health insurance policies.

4. Insurance plans do not cover charges for rejuvenation or preventive treatments, as they are not considered medically necessary procedures.

What is the eligibility for AYUSH Treatment coverage in health insurance?

For coverage of AYUSH Treatments under a health insurance policy, a minimum requirement of 24 hours of hospitalisation is necessary. As a result, the daycare treatment feature is not applicable in such cases.

To be eligible for coverage, AYUSH Treatments must be received at specific centres, which include:

1. AYUSH Hospitals: These hospitals should be accredited by either the Quality Control of India or the National Accreditation Board.

2. AYUSH Government/Government-recognised Hospitals: The treatment should be obtained from an AYUSH Government hospital or a medical institution recognised by the Government.

3. AYUSH College Treatments: Treatment received from AYUSH colleges should be recognised by the Central Council of Homeopathy (CCH) or the Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM).

What are some important things to know about AYUSH Treatment Coverage?

Here are some important things to know about AYUSH Treatment in health insurance:

1. Varying Terms And Conditions: The specifics of AYUSH coverage can differ among insurance companies. It is crucial to thoroughly read and understand the inclusions and exclusions mentioned in the policy before selecting the right plan.

2. Additional Premium: Check if there is an additional premium associated with including AYUSH coverage in your health insurance policy. Evaluate whether it is worthwhile to purchase the policy considering this factor.

3. Opt for Digital Insurers: Consider opting for digital insurers, as their online processes offer a hassle-free experience for obtaining AYUSH coverage.

4. Extensive Network of Hospitals: Choose an insurer that has a wide network of hospitals providing AYUSH treatment. This ensures access to the best healthcare facilities and options for AYUSH therapies.

5. Claim Limitations: When filing claims for AYUSH Treatment under your health insurance plan, there might be limitations on the maximum amount you can claim. Carefully review the policy wordings to understand these limitations before finalising the plan.

Conclusion:

The inclusion of AYUSH Treatment coverage in health insurance has brought about a significant shift in the healthcare landscape. With its emphasis on natural remedies and holistic approaches, AYUSH Treatment offers a viable alternative to conventional medical treatments. While the coverage and terms may vary among insurance providers, it is essential to carefully review policy details to understand the extent of coverage and any limitations. AYUSH Treatment coverage provides access to cost-effective and side-effect-free treatment options, addressing the root cause of diseases and promoting overall well-being. By embracing AYUSH Treatment within health insurance, individuals can avail themselves of a comprehensive healthcare solution that integrates traditional healing practices into modern medical coverage.

KETKI JADHAV is a Content Writer at PersonalFN since August 2021. She is an MBA (Finance) and has over seven years of experience in Retail Banking. Ketki specialises in covering articles around banking, insurance, personal finance, and mutual funds and has been doing it for over three years now.

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Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only and is not meant to influence your investment decisions. It should not be treated as a mutual fund recommendation or advice to make an investment decision.