Health Insurance in Mumbai

Health Statistics of Mumbai

Here are a few health statistics on Mumbai:

• Heart diseases lead to 25% of deaths in Mumbai
• Diabetes and hypertension are major contributors to heart diseases in Mumbai
• 18% of adults have diabetes, and 16% of adults are pre-diabetic in Mumbai
• Every 3rd person suffers from hypertension in Mumbai
• Mumbai reports the highest cases of vector-borne diseases in Maharashtra
• 46% of people are overweight in Mumbai
• Two-thirds of people do not exercise in Mumbai

Why Do You Need Health Insurance in Mumbai?

Take a look at some of the reasons why everyone should buy health insurance in Mumbai:

1. High Prevalence of Lifestyle Diseases

   The incidence of lifestyle diseases has increased tremendously in the last few years. About 8% of people in Mumbai suffer from both diabetes and hypertension. The treatment for these lifestyle diseases can rob you of your savings as they are expensive and go on for a long time. However, you can obtain treatment in Mumbai without losing all your funds if you have a critical illness insurance policy.

2. Incidence of Vector-borne Diseases

   Vector-borne diseases like dengue and malaria are a big menace in Mumbai. Frequent floods, stagnant water and humidity become the ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Moreover, the treatment may require hospitalization for a few days, with severe cases needing an ICU admission. But with health insurance for vector-borne diseases, you can avail cashless hospitalization facility at any of the network hospitals of the insurance company.

3. High Cost of Medical Facilities

   Mumbai is the most expensive city for healthcare services in India. The cost of medical treatments in Mumbai has doubled over the last 5 years. In fact, Mumbaikars spend 9.7% of their annual income on healthcare services. However, if you have family health insurance, your insurer will pay for the planned and emergency medical expenses of your entire family.

4. No Compromise on Best Treatment

   Getting the best quality medical treatment in Mumbai comes at an expensive price. As a result, most people in Mumbai compromise on the quality and get affordable treatment. But with mediclaim insurance, you can avail the best quality treatment without worrying about arranging money for hospital bills.

Major Health Problems in Mumbai

Check out some major health problems in Mumbai:

1. Obesity

   Obesity has become extremely common in Mumbai. As per the data by the BMC health department, 6 out of every 10 people in Mumbai have weight-related issues. The risk of obesity has increased in the city as physical activities have decreased amongst a large chunk of the population.

2. Liver Failure

   Liver failure is one of the most common causes of death in Mumbai. As per reports, deaths due to liver failure in Mumbai have increased by 17% since 2021. Experts believe that the high incidence of alcoholic liver disease is the prime reason for acute liver failure in the city.

3. Diabetes

   Diabetes is highly prevalent in Mumbai. In fact, one in every 5 people in Mumbai has diabetes. Moreover, the rise in weight-related issues among Mumbaikars makes them more vulnerable to diabetes.

4. Hypertension

   Hypertension also has a high prevalence in Mumbai. As per reports, 26% of adults in Mumbai suffer from hypertension. In fact, hypertension also increases the risk of stroke and haemorrhages among people.

5. Heart Diseases

   Heart diseases are the leading cause of death in Mumbai. As per reports, every fourth death in Mumbai occurs due to heart disease. Moreover, the high incidence of diabetes and hypertension amongst Mumbaikars has exposed them to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.

6. Cancer

   Cancer is growing gradually in the city of Mumbai. Around 10,028 deaths due to cancer were reported in Mumbai in 2022, which saw a 10% increase from 2021. As per experts, sedentary lifestyle, air pollution and chain smoking are the biggest reasons for the increase in cancer cases in the city.

7. Dengue

   Dengue is highly prevalent in the coastal city of Mumbai. The city has observed a rise in dengue cases compared to previous years. In fact, Mumbai has reported more than 4500 cases of dengue in 2023, which is one-third of the total cases in Maharashtra. 

How Much Health Insurance Coverage Do You Need in Mumbai?

Mumbai has an expensive medical infrastructure, and thus, your health insurance policy should be enough to cover all your medical expenses in the city. You must opt for a policy sum insured that sufficiently covers the treatment cost of any major illness in Mumbai. Besides, experts suggest that your coverage amount should be at least half of your yearly income in Mumbai.

Keeping in mind the medical inflation in Mumbai, every individual should buy the right health insurance plan of at least Rs 10 lakh. If you want coverage for your entire family in Mumbai, you should opt for a family floater health insurance plan of at least Rs 30 lakh. 

On the other hand, older people living in Mumbai should buy a senior citizen health insurance policy with a coverage amount of at least Rs 20 lakh. This is because senior citizens are more prone to age-related illnesses and may require frequent claims.

Health Insurance in Mumbai for NRIs

NRIs or Non-Resident Indians in Mumbai can purchase health insurance from an insurance company in India. This health insurance for NRIs will be useful to pay for unforeseen and planned medical expenses incurred during their visit or stay in Mumbai. Moreover, you can also use this medical insurance policy to cover your healthcare expenses if you plan to move back to India eventually. 

Additionally, NRIs can also buy health insurance for parents living in Mumbai. This enables them to pay for their parents’ medical expenses in Mumbai even if they are not physically present with them. In fact, NRIs can also obtain a GST refund on the premium paid to buy health insurance in Mumbai.

People also read: GST Refund on Health Insurance for NRIs

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

No.

The Maharastra Government introduced the Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Jan Arogya Yojana (MJPJAY) in July 2012, which offers cashless hospitalization facilities to beneficiaries for identified illnesses. However, this government medical insurance scheme is insufficient to cover your medical expenses in Mumbai. 

Check out the following table to understand why Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Jan Arogya Yojana is not enough to provide comprehensive medical expenses in Mumbai:

Wellness and Prevention Tips in Mumbai

Take a look at some wellness and prevention tips to stay away from diseases in Mumbai:

• Ensure a lower intake of salt, sugar and cooking oil in your diet.
• Stop smoking and avoid consuming alcohol in Mumbai.
• Go for regular diabetes and blood pressure check-ups in Mumbai if you are above 30 years old.
• Take your diabetes and hypertension medicines on time to keep these diseases in check.
• Exercise regularly and walk for at least 30 minutes daily in Mumbai to maintain a healthy body weight.
• Use mosquito repellents and mosquito nets at night to prevent mosquito bites.
• Consume food rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains in Mumbai.
• Drink at least 2-3 litres of water daily to stay hydrated and flush out toxins from the body.
• Remove stagnant water near your house to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes.
• Sleep for at least 7-9 hours in Mumbai to boost your immune system and cellular repair.
• Wear full-sleeved clothes and cover your legs to prevent mosquitoes from biting in Mumbai.