Health Insurance in Asansol

Health Statistics of Asansol

Check out the health statistics in Asansol:

• Hypertension is the biggest non-communicable disease in Asansol
• Breast cancer reports the highest cancer cases in Asansol
• Lung cancer is the most common cancer among men in Asansol
• Asansol reports the maximum number of dengue cases in West Burdwan district of West Bengal

Why Do You Need Health Insurance in Asansol?

Here are some key reasons to buy a health insurance plan in Asansol:

Major Prevalence of Lifestyle Diseases

Lifestyle diseases in Asansol have been on the rise in Asansol. As per reports, lifestyle diseases like hypertension, diabetes and cancer are extremely common in Asansol town. Besides, the treatment for these diseases may go on for months, if not years, and can exhaust your lifelong savings in no time. But if you have a critical illness insurance policy, you can obtain the best treatment for your illness without worrying about the finances.

High Incidence of Vector-Borne Diseases 

Vector-borne diseases, such as dengue and malaria, are a yearly occurrence in Asansol. According to the data from the Asansol Municipal Corporation (AMC), the town reported over 200 cases of malaria in just six months of 2024. In severe cases, you may need to be hospitalized, leading to enormous medical bills. The only way to protect your savings from these unwarranted medical expenditures is by buying health insurance for malaria or dengue health insurance plans. 

Poor Air Quality

Asansol is infamous for one of the worst air quality in West Bengal. As per AQI data, the PM2.5 level in Asansol is 1.3 times more than the World Health Organization (WHO)’s recommended air quality limit. Moreover, the town has been included under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), and acute respiratory illnesses like asthma in the district are being monitored. In this situation, buying health insurance for asthma is the best way to stay financially prepared for any medical expenses resulting from poor air quality in Asansol.

Access to Best Quality Treatment

Asansol has limited access to good-quality healthcare, which makes it more expensive. To protect their savings, many people opt for poor-quality treatment or an alternative but less effective treatment. However, people in Asansol can eliminate this problem and afford top-quality treatment by buying one of the best health insurance plans for themselves.

Major Health Problems in Asansol

Take a look at the major health problems in Asansol:

Hypertension

Hypertension is a major cause of concern in Asansol. As per reports, hypertension is the most common non-communicable disease in Asansol. Stress, sedentary lifestyles, bad food habits and lack of exercise are some of the major reasons for the increase in hypertension cases in the city.

Cancer

Cancer is extremely common in Asansol. According to official reports, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women and lung cancer among men in Asansol. Experts blame lifestyle changes, especially lack of physical activities and increase in consumption of high-calorie foods, for the high incidence of cancer in the city. 

Malaria

Malaria has a major prevalence in Asansol. As per the Asansol Municipal Corporation (AMC) data, more than 200 cases of malaria were reported in the first six months of 2024. In fact, the city mayor distributed one lakh guppy fish in August 2024 to kill mosquito larvae in temporary and permanent water bodies.

Dengue

Dengue is highly prevalent in Asansol city. According to official reports, Asansol reports the highest number of dengue cases in the West Burdwan district of West Bengal. City health authorities believe the accumulation of rainwater in open containers, abandoned or under-construction buildings and houses is responsible for the large number of dengue cases.

How Much Health Insurance Coverage Do You Need in Asansol?

If you live in Asansol, you must purchase a mediclaim insurance policy that comfortably covers all your medical expenses in the city, especially the treatment of a lifestyle disease like cancer. Besides, insurance experts suggest everyone to buy a health insurance policy worth at least half of their annual income.

Considering the high healthcare costs in Asansol, you are advised to buy health insurance of a minimum sum insured of ₹5-10 lakh. In case you need to cover your entire family, a family health insurance policy of at least ₹20 lakh should be purchased. Similarly, older people above 60 years should buy a senior citizen health insurance policy of ₹15 lakh or above.

Health Insurance in Asansol for NRIs

NRIs or non-resident Indians can also purchase medical insurance from any health insurance companies in India to cover their healthcare expenses in Asansol. This health insurance for NRIs policy can come in handy to pay for the medical expenses incurred during their long-term or short-term stay in the city. Moreover, if they eventually move back to Asansol, they can continue the same policy without serving any fresh waiting period.

Additionally, NRIs can also purchase health insurance for parents staying in Asansol. This plan will help NRIs pay for their parents’ medical expenses in Asansol even if they are not physically present at the hospital. 

Moreover, NRIs who pay tax in their foreign country of residence can claim a GST refund of 18% on the health insurance premiums paid to an insurance company in India.

People also read: GST Refund on Health Insurance for NRIs

Is Government Health Insurance Enough to Cover Medical Expenses in Asansol?

No.

The West Bengal Health Scheme (WBHS) was launched by the Government of West Bengal to provide better medical facilities to its state employees. The coverage was later extended to family pensioner and superannuated employees of the state government. However, the WBHS scheme is not enough to cover all the medical expenses in Asansol. 

Check out the following table to know why the West Bengal Health Scheme is not sufficient to cover the healthcare costs in Asansol:

Wellness and Prevention Tips in Asansol

Here are some wellness tips to stay healthy in Asansol:

• Exercise regularly or walk for at least 30 minutes daily in Asansol
• Limit alcohol consumption and quit smoking in Asansol
• Get at least 7 to 9 hours of sleep every day in Asansol to rejuvenate your body
• Eat a healthy diet rich in fresh fruits and leafy vegetable
• Use mosquito repellent and wear full-sleeved clothes in Asansol to prevent mosquito bite
• Reduce the consumption of salt and sugar to keep lifestyle diseases at bay
• Meditate or practice yoga in Asansol to reduce stress levels 
• Remove stagnant water near your house in Asansol to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes
• Avoid eating excess fried and junk food to stay healthy in Asansol