Health Insurance in Rajasthan

Health Statistics of Rajasthan

Take a look at some of the health statistics of Rajasthan:

• 20% of women in Rajasthan are overweight or obese
• 5% to 7.4% of people have diabetes in Rajasthan
• 24.7% of all adults in Rajasthan use smoke/smokeless tobacco
• Over 60% of children under 5 years are anaemic in Rajasthan

Why Do You Need Health Insurance in Rajasthan?

Given below are some of the reasons why you must buy health insurance in Rajasthan:

1. High Prevalence of Lifestyle Diseases

   Lifestyle diseases, such as cancer, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, etc., are plaguing the people of Rajasthan at an alarming rate. Increased consumption of junk food, salt, sugar and lack of physical activities are responsible for the high incidence of lifestyle diseases in the state. What’s worse is that the expensive and long-term treatment of lifestyle diseases can deplete your life’s savings in no time. But if you have a critical illness insurance policy, you can afford treatment for these lifestyle diseases without worrying about your savings.

2. Incidence of Vector-borne Diseases

   Rajasthan has been struggling with vector-borne diseases, such as dengue, malaria and chikungunya. As per official data, more than 13000 cases of dengue and over 2000 cases of malaria were diagnosed in Rajasthan in 2023. Not only do these diseases weaken your immunity, but they also exhaust your savings in case you end up getting hospitalized. However, your insurance company will pay for your treatment expenses if you buy health insurance for vector-borne diseases.

3. Access to Best Medical Treatment

   Getting the best treatment for your disease or medical condition often comes at a heavy price. As a result, a lot of people are not able to afford it and compromise on an alternative but affordable treatment. However, people with the best health insurance plans can obtain top-quality medical treatment without worrying about paying the hospital bills, as their insurer will cover the treatment cost.

4. Protects Against Medical Inflation

   The cost of healthcare facilities in Rajasthan has increased over the last few years thanks to medical inflation. If you get admitted to a private hospital in Rajasthan for even a few days, you can easily get a bill of lakhs of rupees. Not everyone can afford to pay so much money. If you want to stay prepared for medical inflation impacting your hospital bills, you must buy a mediclaim insurance policy.

Major Health Problems in Rajasthan

Check out the major health problems in Rajasthan:

1. Cancer

   Cancer has a major presence in Rajasthan. As per the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare’s data, 74725 new cases of cancer were detected in Rajasthan in 2022. Besides, natives of the state are more prone to cancer of the head and neck. Data suggests that 39.6% of adult men and 9% of adult women in Rajasthan use smoke/smokeless tobacco, leading to these cancers.

2. Hypertension

   Hypertension is growing rapidly in the western state of Rajasthan. According to the National Family Health Survey report, around 17.9% of men and 15.4% of women above 15 years in Rajasthan have hypertension or take medicines to control blood pressure. Besides, studies have shown that hypertension is more prevalent among people in urban areas of Rajasthan than in rural areas.

3. Obesity

   Obesity is highly prevalent in Rajasthan. As per the POSHAN report, around 15% of men above 15 years in Rajasthan and 5% of children below 5 years are overweight or obese. Experts blame the sedentary lifestyle for people becoming obese in the state. Besides, obesity is making way for diabetes among the population of Rajasthan. 

4. Dengue

   Dengue is also a menace in Rajasthan. According to the state health department, more than 13,000 cases of dengue have been reported in Rajasthan by November 2023. Health officials believe inadequate waste management, increased density of mosquitoes, unplanned & rapid urbanisation and poor infrastructure to monitor mosquito breeding are responsible for high dengue cases in the state.

5. Diabetes

   Diabetes is spreading slowly across the state of Rajasthan. As per the POSHAN report, 9% of men and 7% of women in Rajasthan had diabetes in 2019-21. Unhealthy dietary habits, sedentary lifestyles, stress and obesity are some of the major reasons for the rise in diabetes cases in the state.

6. Malaria

   Malaria is also prevalent in Rajasthan. According to the state health department, over 2000 cases of malaria have been reported in Rajasthan by November 2023. Experts blame monsoon showers and following stagnant water in the state for offering the ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes that spread the disease.

How Much Health Insurance Coverage Do You Need in Rajasthan?

Ideally, you must opt for a health insurance coverage amount that covers all your medical expenses in Rajasthan. In fact, experts suggest buying medical insurance with a sum insured of at least 50% of your annual income. However, it is essential to ensure that your health policy is sufficient to cover the treatment cost of a chronic disease in Rajasthan, such as hypertension, diabetes, etc.

Keeping medical inflation in mind, buying a health insurance policy of at least Rs 5-10 lakh is recommended in Rajasthan. To ensure comprehensive coverage for your whole family in Rajasthan, you must opt for a family health insurance policy of Rs 20 lakh and above. For senior citizens in Rajasthan, a senior citizen health insurance policy of Rs 15 lakh or more is recommended.

Health Insurance in Rajasthan for NRIs

NRIs or non-resident Indians are also eligible to buy insurance from various health insurance companies based in India. They can use this health insurance for NRIs policy to pay for the medical expenses incurred during their stay or visit to Rajasthan. Besides, they can continue with the same health policy if they eventually move back to Rajasthan. In fact, no additional waiting periods will apply to them if the NRI has already served the waiting periods under this policy.

Moreover, NRIs can also purchase health insurance for parents living in Rajasthan and support them financially during a medical emergency. Also, NRIs who buy medical insurance in India will be eligible for a GST refund of 18% paid as part of the premium amount.

People also read: GST Refund on Health Insurance for NRIs

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

No.

The Rajasthan Government introduced the Mukhyamantri Chiranjeevi Yojana in May 2021 to provide cashless medical insurance to all residents of the state. While the state government pays the premium for the beneficiaries, other residents of Rajasthan can avail this scheme by paying an annual premium of Rs 850. Nonetheless, the Yojana does not provide comprehensive coverage for all healthcare facilities in Rajasthan. 

Take a look at the table given below to understand why the Chiranjeevi health insurance scheme is not enough to cover all health expenditures in Rajasthan:

Wellness and Prevention Tips in Rajasthan

Here are some wellness tips to stay healthy in Rajasthan:

• Drink 2-3 litres of water every day in Rajasthan to keep yourself hydrated.
• Regularly exercise or perform physical activities, like walking, cycling, etc., in Rajasthan.
• Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats and lean proteins.
• Perform yoga or meditation in Rajasthan to manage stress levels.
• Sleep for at least 7-9 hours daily in Rajasthan to rejuvenate your body.
• Prevent water from stagnating in your surroundings in Rajasthan.
• Avoid consuming tobacco or excessive alcohol in Rajasthan.
• Limit the intake of processed food and sugary drinks in Rajasthan.
• Wear full-sleeved clothes or use mosquito repellents to prevent mosquito bites in Rajasthan.