Health Insurance for Kidney Patients

What is Kidney Failure?

Kidney failure or renal failure refers to a medical condition in which one or both kidneys stop working on their own. It is the most severe stage of kidney disease and its treatment involves dialysis or kidney transplant. Hypertension, diabetes and acute kidney injuries are some of the major causes for end-stage renal failure.

According to the Deccan Herald, about 10% of the Indian population suffers from chronic kidney disease (CKD), and more than 1 lakh cases of kidney failure are reported every year. Most kidney patients require dialysis at least three times a week with an estimated cost of ₹2000 to 8000 per session. However, the estimated cost of a kidney transplant surgery in India ranges from ₹3 lakh to 14 lakh, depending on the city and type of hospital.

For a normal middle-class family, treatment for kidney failure can easily dig a hole in their pocket or exhaust all their savings. Therefore, buying health insurance is essential for kidney patients.

Who Should Buy Dialysis Insurance Coverage in India?

Dialysis health insurance plans should be purchased by people with:

• Hypertension (or high blood pressure)
• Diabetes
• Family history of kidney disease
• Heart disease
• An age of 60 years and above
• Abnormal kidney structure
• A long history of taking painkillers

Benefits of Buying Health Insurance for Kidney Patients

Check out some of the key benefits of health insurance for CKD patients:

1. High Incidence of Kidney Disease

   Chronic kidney disease is highly prevelant in India. As per Deccan Herald, about 10% of people in India suffer from kidney disease. Out of which, more than 1 lakh kidney failure cases are reported every year. Moreover, senior citizens and people with lifestyle diseases like diabetes and hypertension are highly prone to kidney disease. By purchasing a mediclaim policy, policyholders can stay financially prepared for any kidney-related medical expenditures in future.

2. Expensive Treatment for Kidney Failure

   Obtaining treatment for kidney failure can create a huge financial burden. While dialysis can cost roughly ₹2000-8000 per session, a kidney transplant surgery cost can range from ₹3 lakh to 14 lakh, depending on the hospital and city. With health insurance for existing kidney patients, people do not have to spend their lifelong savings on the surgery, as it is taken care of by the insurance company.

3. Holistic Financial Protection

   End-stage renal failure is considered a critical disease as the only permanent solution is a kidney transplant. Besides the surgery cost, the patient also incurs expenses for post-surgery care and recovery while dealing with loss of income. By buying critical illness insurance, policyholders can get a lump sum amount from the insurer that can be used to pay for the surgery, post-hospitalization medical expenses & debts and can act as a substitute for regular income.

List of Ideal Health Insurance Plans for Kidney Disease

Listed below are the right health insurance for dialysis patients in India:

*Disclaimer: The list mentioned is according to the alphabetical order of the insurance companies. Policybazaar does not endorse, rate or recommend any particular insurer or insurance product offered by any insurer. This list of plans listed here comprise of insurance products offered by all the insurance partners of Policybazaar. For complete list of insurers in India refer to the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India website www.irdai.gov.in.

Inclusions of Health Insurance for Kidney Patients

Health insurance for kidney patients in India includes the following coverage:

• Kidney transplant surgery
• Dialysis care
• Second e-opinion
• Ambulance charges
• ICU benefit
• Child education
• Health check-ups

Exclusions of Health Insurance for Kidney Patients

Health insurance for dialysis patients does not cover the following:

• Non-allopathic treatment
• Self-inflicted injuries
• Injuries due to participation in adventure sports
• Injuries caused under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Unproven treatment

Ideal Health Insurance for Kidney Disease

1. Aditya Birla Activ Secure - Critical Illness Plan

   The Aditya Birla Activ Secure – Critical Illness plan safeguards the insured against medical expenses resulting from 64 critical illnesses, including kidney failure. It pays a lump sum amount for up to 100% of the sum insured on the diagnosis of end-stage renal disease. This Aditya Birla health insurance policy also comes with the second e-opinion and wellness coach as optional covers.

2. Bajaj Allianz Criti Care Plan

   The Bajaj Allianz Criti Care policy offers financial assistance to the policyholder for various kidney-related treatments and procedures irrespective of the treatment cost. It pays a lump sum amount if the insured undergoes removal of one kidney, partial nephrectomy, kidney failure requiring dialysis, systematic lupus eryth with renal involvement or kidney transplant. Moreover, the dialysis care benefit is also available under this Bajaj Allianz health insurance policy. Besides, a maximum of two claims can be filed under the Kidney Care section throughout the lifetime of the policy.

3. Care Assure Plan

   The Care Assure plan provides medical coverage for 20 critical illnesses, including end-stage renal failure. It pays for the medical expenses incurred on regular dialysis as well as the cost of kidney transplant surgery. Moreover, this Care health insurance policy also offers annual health check-ups and international second opinions on the diagnosis of kidney disease.

4. Cholamandalam MS Critical Healthline Insurance Plan

   Cholamandalam Critical Healthline Insurance pays a lump sum amount to the policyholder if diagnosed with any of the 12 listed critical illnesses, including kidney failure, without submitting any hospitalization bills. It helps the policyholder manage the treatment cost of a critical illness as well as provide for loss of income, children’s educational expenses, mortgage expenses and other financial commitments. Moreover, people up to 55 years of age do not require any medical check-up to buy this Cholamandalam health insurance policy.

5. Digit Total Protect Plan

   The Digit Total Protect plan provides worldwide coverage for 34 critical illnesses, including kidney failure, when diagnosed for the first time. It covers the cost of dialysis as well as kidney transplant surgery up to the sum insured limit. However, a pre-policy medical check-up may be required to buy this Digit health insurance policy.

6. Future Generali Criticare Plan

   The Future Generali Criticare plan provides financial support to afford the treatment of 12 critical illnesses, including kidney failure. It pays the entire sum insured in a lump sum upon the diagnosis of kidney failure requiring dialysis on a regular basis or renal transplantation. Moreover, this Future Generali health insurance policy serves as a substitute for the loss of income.

7. HDFC ERGO Critical Illness Insurance Plan

   The HDFC ERGO Critical Illness Insurance plan provides a lump sum benefit upon the diagnosis of 15 critical illnesses, including kidney failure. It helps policyholders manage the financial crisis resulting from the treatment of the critical disease. Moreover, a pre-policy check-up may be required to buy this HDFC ERGO health insurance policy, depending on the age and sum insured.

8. ICICI Lombard Criti Shield Plus Plan

   ICICI Lombard Criti Shield Plus helps policyholders meet their financial obligations when diagnosed with 92 major and minor critical illnesses, including kidney failure. It pays 100% of the sum insured upon the diagnosis of the disease. Moreover, this ICICI Lombard health insurance policy comes with optional covers, such as ICU benefit, major surgical procedures and value added services like second e-opinion.

9. IFFCO Tokio Critical Illness Benefit Policy

   IFFCO Tokio Critical Illness Benefit covers the treatment cost of 25 critical illnesses, including kidney failure requiring regular dialysis or renal transplantation. It helps the policyholder mitigate the financial hardships faced upon the diagnosis of the critical illness while maintaining the day-to-day living expenses of the family. People up to 50 years are not required to undergo a pre-policy medical check-up to buy this IFFCO Tokio health insurance policy.

10. Liberty Critical Connect Plan

    The Liberty Critical Connect plan helps policyholders manage the financial crisis resulting from the diagnosis of 43 critical illnesses, including kidney failure. It pays a lump sum amount upon the diagnosis of kidney failure and provides a second medical opinion & health check-up benefit. This Liberty health insurance plan also comes with a loan protector cover and waiver for the 30-day survival period benefit.

11. Magma HDI OneHealth Insurance Plan

    Magma HDI OneHealth Insurance provides coverage for 11 critical illnesses, including kidney failure, as an optional cover. It pays a lump sum benefit on the diagnosis of the disease and comes with second e-opinion for critical illnesses. Moreover, this Magma HDI health insurance policy offers early joining benefits to people below 40 years.

12. ManipalCigna Lifestyle Protection - Critical Care Plan

    The ManipalCigna Lifestyle Protection - Critical Care plan offers global coverage for 30 critical illnesses, including kidney failure, to provide access to premium medical care. It allows the policyholder to choose between a lump sum payout or staggered payout option. This ManipalCigna health insurance policy offers a second medical opinion and an online wellness program along with the Health 360 – OPD add-on cover.

13. National Critical Illness Policy

    The National Critical Illness policy covers 37 critical illnesses, including kidney failure requiring dialysis and kidney transplant. It pays a fixed lump sum amount up to the sum insured limit upon the diagnosis of the disease. Moreover, this National health insurance policy covers kidney failure resulting from pre-existing condition.

14. New India Assurance Criti Protect Plan

    The New India Assurance Criti Protect plan provides a financial cushion to the policyholder if diagnosed with 41 critical illnesses, including coverage for kidney failure requiring regular dialysis. It offers worldwide coverage and pays a lump sum benefit equivalent to the policy sum insured. Moreover, this New India Assurance health insurance policy comes with a zero survival period.

15. Niva Bupa Health Assurance Plan

    The Niva Bupa Health Assurance plan offers coverage against 20 major critical illnesses, including dialysis for kidney failure. It allows the policyholder to opt for a lump sum payment equivalent to 100% of the sum insured or a staggered payment equivalent to 10% of the sum insured for the subsequent 5 years as a substitute for loss of income. This Niva Bupa health insurance policy also gives the option to choose AccidentCare cover and HospiCash cover along with the CritiCare cover.

16. Oriental Critical Illness Plan

    The Oriental Critical Illness plan provides financial assistance to the insured upon the diagnosis of 22 critical illnesses, including kidney failure. It pays the entire sum insured in a lump sum upon diagnosis and offers a medical second opinion benefit. Moreover, this Oriental health insurance policy does not require people below 45 years to undergo a pre-policy medical check-up.

17. Reliance Critical Illness Policy

    The Reliance Critical Illness plan provides coverage for end-stage renal failure requiring regular dialysis and 9 other major critical illnesses and surgeries. It pays a lump sum payment on the diagnosis of the disease. Besides, no medical check-up is required by applicants up to the age of 45 years to buy this Reliance health insurance policy.

18. Royal Sundaram Critical Illness Lumpsum Plan

    The Royal Sundaram Critical Illness Lumpsum plan helps policyholders manage the financial adversity resulting from the treatment of 9 critical illnesses, including kidney failure. It pays a lump sum benefit to the policyholder irrespective of the actual treatment cost. However, people aged 30 years and above are required to undergo a medical check-up before buying this Royal Sundaram health insurance policy.

19. SBI Critical Illness Insurance Policy

    The SBI Critical Illness Insurance policy covers 13 critical illnesses, including end-stage kidney failure requiring dialysis treatment. It provides a fixed amount on the first diagnosis of the critical disease, allowing the insured to completely focus on the treatment without worrying about the finances. However, people may have to undergo a pre-policy health check-up to purchase this SBI health insurance policy.

20. Star Critical Illness Multipay Insurance Policy

    The Star Critical Illness Multipay Insurance policy covers 37 major critical illnesses, including kidney failure, and pays a lump sum amount on the diagnosis of the disease. It also comes with the Star Wellness Program, which enables policyholders to earn a premium discount through various wellness activities. Moreover, people up to 50 years are not required to undergo any medical screening before buying this Star health insurance policy.

21. Tata AIG Criti MediCare Plan

    The Tata AIG – Criti MediCare policy covers the insured for up to 100 critical illnesses, including kidney failure, and pays a lump sum benefit on the diagnosis. It provides a second medical opinion, health check-up and waiver of premium benefit. Moreover, the Wellsurance benefit is available as an optional cover under this Tata AIG health insurance policy.

22. United India UNI CritiCare Plan

    The United India UNI CritiCare plan pays for the treatment of 11 critical illnesses, including kidney failure requiring dialysis or renal transplantation. The payment is made in a lump sum upon the diagnosis of the critical illness during the policy term. However, this United India health insurance policy does not cover pre-existing renal disease.

23. Universal Sompo Critical Illness Insurance Plan

    The Universal Sompo Critical Illness Insurance plan covers the medical expenses incurred on the treatment of 11 critical illnesses and surgical procedures, including kidney failure requiring regular dialysis. However, people may be required to undergo a medical check-up before buying this Universal Sompo health insurance policy.

24. Zurich Kotak Secure Shield Plan

    Zurich Kotak Secure Shield is a critical illness insurance policy that covers 18 major illnesses, including kidney failure. It provides financial support by paying the entire sum insured in a lump sum to manage the cost of kidney dialysis or transplant surgery. Moreover, this Zurich Kotak health insurance policy also comes with the Loss of Job benefit.

Tips for Prevent Kidney Failure

Here are some healthcare tips to prevent kidney failure:

• Consume a healthy diet with the right nutritional balance
• Minimize the intake of alcohol
• Avoid overdose of medications
• Keep blood sugar and blood pressure levels in check
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Limit the intake of salt, sodium and potassium
• Undergo medical check-ups regularly
• Avoid smoking and consumption of drugs

FAQs