Health Insurance in Delhi

Why Do You Need Health Insurance in Delhi?

Take a look at some of the reasons why you must buy health insurance in Delhi:

1. Very Poor Air Quality

   Delhi has one of the most polluted air in India. Breaking all records, several parts of Delhi reported an Air Quality Index (AQI) of over 500 in November 2023, which is 100 times the safe levels set by the World Health Organization (WHO). The poor air quality leads to a surge in pollution-related illnesses, such as asthma, lung infection, etc., as well as heart attacks. Since hospitalization is expensive for most people in Delhi, buying the right health insurance plan to cover your medical expenses in Delhi is a must.

2. High Incidence of Lifestyle Diseases

   Lifestyle diseases, such as obesity, hypertension and diabetes, are extremely common among the people in Delhi. Poor lifestyle, lack of physical activities and bad air quality have increased the risk of various lifestyle diseases. Moreover, the treatment of these lifestyle diseases is expensive and goes on for a long time, posing a threat to your lifelong savings. If you do not want to spiral into paying never-ending hospital bills, buying a critical illness insurance policy should be your top priority. 

3. Prevalence of Vector-borne Diseases

   The national capital of Delhi grapples with vector-borne diseases, especially dengue, every year. As per the latest reports, Delhi reported around 7963 dengue cases by November 2023, which is the second highest in the last 5 years. While hospitalization may be required in some cases, severe cases may need an ICU admission, which is expensive to afford. To obtain the right treatment at the right time without any financial burden, you must have health insurance for vector-borne diseases.

4. Rise in Medical Inflation

   Healthcare services in Delhi are among the most expensive in the country. Being admitted to a private hospital in Delhi, even for a couple of days, can cost you lakhs of rupees. The bigger is the treatment and the hospital, the more will be your hospital bill. But if you have a mediclaim insurance policy, you can afford the best medical treatment in Delhi at a hospital of your choice.

5. No Compromise on Treatment

   Given the high cost of medical treatments in Delhi, a lot of people compromise on their treatment. While some people delay their treatment, others go for an affordable alternative to save money. However, if you buy medical insurance, your insurance company will be responsible for paying for your treatment costs in Delhi.

Major Health Problems in Delhi

Here are some of the major health problems in Delhi:

1. Cancer

   Delhi has a huge burden of cancer cases. As per the ICMR’s National Cancer Registry Programme (NCRP) data, around 26,735 cancer cases have been reported in Delhi in 2022. Moreover, according to Delhi Population Based Cancer Registries (PBCR) by AIIMS, new cancer cases in Delhi are likely to increase by 22.6% by 2026 compared to 2021. 

2. Diabetes

   Diabetes has a high incidence in Delhi. According to a study by the Lancet journal, around 17.8% of people in Delhi suffer from diabetes. However, as per the ICMR study, the number of pre-diabetes cases compared to diabetes cases is equal in Delhi, indicating stabilization of the disease in the city.

3. Hypertension

   Hypertension is highly prevalent in the national capital of Delhi. As per the 5th National Family Health Survey (NFHS), one in every three men in Delhi suffers from hypertension, which is 8.8% higher than the national average. Experts blame lack of physical activity, poor diet and high prevalence of obesity as the root causes for increased cases of hypertension in the city.

4. Obesity

   Obesity is a major cause of concern in Delhi. According to the 5th National Family Health Survey (NFHS) data, 38% of men and 41.3% of women between 15-49 years are overweight or obese in Delhi. Moreover, 4% of children below the age of 5 years are overweight in Delhi due to insufficient physical activities. 

5. Dengue

   Dengue is one of the most widespread vector-borne diseases in Delhi. According to the latest data, around 7963 cases of dengue have been reported in Delhi by November 2023. Authorities consider mosquito breeding in desert coolers, containers, and construction sites to be the major reason for the increased dengue cases in the city.

Health Statistics of Delhi

Check out some of the health statistics of Delhi:

• 80% of Delhiites are facing health problems due to severe air pollution
• Delhi is the 5th worst-affected state by diabetes in India
• 32.8% of men and 24.1% of women in Delhi suffer from hypertension
• Delhi reports the highest number of childhood cancer cases among other cities
• Lung cancer is the most common among men and breast cancer among women in Delhi
• Delhi reported the 2nd highest number of dengue cases in the last 5 years

How Much Health Insurance Coverage Do You Need in Delhi?

If you live in Delhi, you must buy health insurance for a sum insured that adequately covers all your medical expenses in the city. The coverage amount should be sufficient to cover the treatment cost of a critical illness like cancer or diabetes in Delhi. Although, the general rule of thumb suggests buying health insurance worth at least 50% of your annual income.

Since medical inflation in Delhi is quite high, you must buy health insurance of at least Rs 10 lakh in Delhi. If you want to buy health coverage for your entire family, a family health insurance policy of Rs 30 lakh or more is recommended. If you want to buy health insurance for the senior citizens in your family, a senior citizen health insurance policy of at least Rs 20 lakh is recommended.

Health Insurance in Delhi for NRIs

Non-resident Indians or NRIs from Delhi can also buy medical insurance from any health insurance companies in India. The policy can come in handy to pay for the medical expenses incurred during their stay or visit to Delhi. Moreover, they can continue using the same health insurance for NRIs policy if they eventually shift back to New Delhi.

Additionally, NRIs can purchase health insurance for parents living in Delhi. This will allow NRIs to financially support their parents during a medical emergency in Delhi, even if they are in another country. Besides, they can benefit from a GST refund on the premium paid to buy the health policy in Delhi.

People also read: GST Refund on Health Insurance for NRIs

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

NO.

The Government of Delhi launched the Delhi Arogya Kosh (DAK) scheme in 2017 to provide financial assistance to needy eligible people for the treatment of an illness or disease at a government hospital in Delhi. However, the coverage available under this scheme is not sufficient to cover all medical expenses in Delhi. 

Check out the following table to find out why the Delhi Arogya Kosh scheme is not enough to cover your medical expenditure in Delhi:

Wellness and Prevention Tips in Delhi

Take a look at some of the wellness tips to stay away from diseases in Delhi:

• Use a face mask every time you step out of your house in Delhi.
• Perform moderate to vigorous-intensity physical activity for at least 1 hour daily to stay fit in Delhi.
• Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and whole grains in Delhi.
• Limit the intake of processed foods and sugary drinks.
• Wear full-sleeved clothes whenever you go outside your house in Delhi.
• Avoid smoking and excessive consumption of alcohol.
• Meditate regularly in Delhi to manage your stress levels.
• Sleep for at least 7-9 hours every day in Delhi.
• Install indoor air-purifying plants or air purifiers to clean the air inside the house.
• Undergo a preventive health check-up in Delhi at least once in every 2 years.
• Use mosquito repellents to prevent getting bitten by mosquitoes in Delhi.