Health Insurance in Indore

Health Statistics of Indore

Given below are some of the health statistics in Indore:

• Diabetes cases in Indore shot up by 510% in 1 year
• Cancer cases in Indore are increasing by 12% every year
• Indore reports 45% of all dengue cases in the Indore division 
• Every 5th person in Indore suffers from diabetes
• Head & neck cancer is the most common cancer among men and breast cancer among women of Indore.

Why Do You Need Health Insurance in Indore?

Check out some of the compelling reasons to buy health insurance in Indore:

1. Prevalence of Lifestyle Diseases

   Indore has a high incidence of lifestyle diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension, etc. As per the records from the CMHO office, diabetes and hypertension cases increased by 6 times in Indore from FY 2021-22 to FY 2022-23. These diseases can cripple your finances as their treatments are expensive and go on for years. However, you can avail treatment for these diseases while safeguarding your finances with the help of a critical illness insurance policy.

2. High Occurrence of Vector-borne Diseases

   Vector-borne diseases, including dengue, malaria, and chikungunya, have been a menace in Indore city. As per official data, Indore reported 458 dengue, 13 chikungunya and 11 malaria cases by December 20, 2023. Although the treatment for these diseases is readily available in Indore, severe cases can lead to ICU hospitalization. To stay financially prepared for such adversities, buying health insurance for vector-borne diseases is necessary.

3. Expensive Treatment at Private Hospitals

   Healthcare facilities in Indore can be expensive in private hospitals. In fact, the cost of hospitalization in a private hospital in Indore is over 15 times higher than in a government hospital. As a result, not everyone can afford treatment at a private hospital in Indore. But with a mediclaim insurance policy, you can choose to obtain treatment at a government or private hospital without worrying about paying the bills.

4. No Compromise on Treatment

   Obtaining treatment at a government hospital in Indore may take a longer time as it witnesses more patients and is more affordable. As a result, most people choose to go to a government hospital over private hospitals and eventually get delayed treatment. However, if you buy the best health insurance plan in India, you can afford to obtain timely treatment at any hospital in Indore, as your insurance company will pay the bill.

Major Health Problems in Indore

Here are some of the major health problems in Indore :

1. Diabetes

   Diabetes has a massive presence in Indore. As per the CMHO office records, about 14,905 new cases of diabetes were identified in Indore in FY 2022-23, which was 510% higher than the previous fiscal year. Sedentary lifestyles and obesity are the primary reasons for the surging diabetes cases in Indore.

2. Hypertension

   Hypertension cases have grown exponentially in Indore. According to the CMHO office, the number of hypertension cases in Indore increased from 3,998 in FY 2021-22 to 24,307 in FY 2022-23. In fact, 24% of people above 30 years in Indore suffer from hypertension.

3. Cancer

   Cancer is highly prevalent in Indore. As per reports, around 10,000 new cases of cancer were diagnosed in Indore in 2023. Excessive smoking is the biggest reason for head & neck cancer and breast cancer, which report the maximum cases in the city for men and women respectively.

4. Heart Diseases

   Heart diseases are common in Indore city. According to the Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Prevention Programme Office, about 2,386 people in Indore were diagnosed with acute heart disease in FY 2022-23. Doctors believe that sedentary lifestyles coupled with bad food habits are responsible for growing heart diseases in the post-pandemic Indore.

5. Dengue

   Dengue has a huge presence in Indore. As per health authorities, more than 450 cases of dengue were detected in Indore in 2023. Experts blame erratic weather conditions in the city for providing the ideal breeding ground for Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that spread dengue.

How Much Health Insurance Coverage Do You Need in Indore?

If you live in Indore, you must choose to buy a health insurance policy that best covers all your medical expenses in the city. Experts say your health insurance coverage amount should be at least half of your annual income in Indore. However, your health insurance sum insured should be sufficient to pay for the treatment of a critical illness in Indore, such as cancer, heart surgery, etc.

Given the high cost of medical treatments in private hospitals, people in Indore must buy a medical insurance policy of Rs 5-10 lakh. To cover your whole family in one policy, buying a family health insurance plan of Rs 20 lakh or more is recommended in Indore.

Similarly, senior citizens in Indore should get themselves a senior citizen health insurance policy of at least Rs 15 lakh.

Health Insurance in Indore for NRIs

Non-resident Indians or NRIs who visit Indore regularly can purchase a mediclaim policy from any health insurance companies in India. They can use it to pay for the medical bills incurred during their visit or stay in Indore. In fact, they can continue with the same health insurance for NRIs policy in case they return to Indore permanently after staying abroad for a few years.

Moreover, NRIs can also buy health insurance parents residing in Indore even if they themselves stay in a different country. Doing so will help them to provide financial support to their parents in case of a medical emergency in Indore.

Additionally, NRIs are eligible for an 18% GST refund on their premium amount if they buy a medical insurance policy from an insurer in India.

You can also read: GST Refund on Health Insurance for NRIs

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

No.

The Madhya Pradesh government introduced the Mukhyamantri Karamchari Swasthya Bima Yojana (MKSBY) in April 2020 to provide free medical treatment to all its government employees and their families. However, the scheme is not enough to pay all their medical expenses in Indore. The following table represents how the MKSBY scheme is not sufficient to obtain comprehensive medical coverage in Indore:

Wellness and Prevention Tips in Indore

Take a look at some of the wellness and prevention tips to stay healthy in Indore:

• Go for health check-ups regularly in Indore to detect any major disease at an early stage.
• Walk daily for around 30 minutes in Indore to keep your blood pressure in control and maintain weight.
• Reduce the consumption of salt and carbohydrates in your diet.
• Stop smoking and avoid drinking alcohol in Indore.
• Wear full-sleeved clothes and use mosquito repellents in Indore to prevent mosquito bites.
• Practice meditation or yoga to reduce stress in Indore.
• Everyone above 30 years old in Indore must regularly go for a blood pressure check-up.
• Consume a balanced diet rich in lean proteins and low in calories.
• Prevent stagnation of water around your home and office in Indore.