Health Insurance in Ranchi

Health Statistics of Ranchi

Following are some of the recent health statistics of Ranchi:

• Ranchi reported 46% of all dengue cases in Jharkhand in 2022.
• Ranchi hospitals treated nearly 50 malaria cases daily in August 2024.
• More than 1.8 lakh women have hypertension in Ranchi.
• 63% of children below the age of 5 years are anaemic in Ranchi.
• Over 1.4 lakh Ranchi women are obese.
• 10% of women in Ranchi are diabetic.

Why Do You Need Health Insurance in Ranchi?

Listed below are some of the reasons why you should buy health insurance in Ranchi:

1. Surge in Vector Borne Diseases

   The cases of vector-borne diseases like dengue, malaria and chikungunya are on the rise in Ranchi in recent years. According to the City Health Department, 68 cases of malaria, 47 cases of chikungunya and 26 cases of dengue were recorded in Ranchi between January and August 2023. Even though most of these diseases can be treated at home, severe cases may require hospitalisation, creating a major dent in your savings. As vector-borne diseases are a common issue every monsoon season in Ranchi, it is important to plan ahead and buy a dengue health plan or health insurance for malaria.

2. Prevalence of Lifestyle Diseases

   Lifestyle diseases, such as high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity, affect a considerable number of Ranchi residents. Based on the National Family Health Survey-5, Ranchi witnessed a 7% rise in hypertension cases among women aged 15-49 years. Moreover, 15% of Ranchi women were found to be obese within the same age group. Getting quality treatment for lifestyle diseases can be financially burdensome, but buying comprehensive health insurance plans can help you manage the treatment costs effectively.

3. Obtaining Quality Treatment

   The cost of healthcare services is rising considerably in India, including in Ranchi. Due to medical inflation, you might prefer affordable yet less effective treatments, which are futile in the long run. However, by investing in the best health insurance plan in India, you can obtain the best quality treatment without burning a hole in your pocket, as your insurer will take care of the hospital bills.

4. Increasing Medical Expenses

   The cost of medical treatments and hospitalisation in Ranchi is on the higher side. Even the cost of Coronary Angioplasty in Ranchi ranges between ₹70,000 - ₹4.5 lakh. Affording such high-cost treatment might not be possible for every Ranchi resident. However, mediclaim insurance with a coverage amount of ₹5-10 lakh can help you pay for these costly hospital bills.

Major Health Problems in Ranchi

Ranchi faces several serious health problems that have been on the rise in recent years. Check out some of them below:

1. Dengue

   Dengue is one of the most common and widely spread vector-borne diseases in Ranchi. According to the State Department of Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare, 89 out of 180 dengue cases in Jharkhand were reported from the Ranchi district in October 2022. The high percentage of cases is mainly due to unhygienic practices and stagnant water, leading to excessive mosquito breeding in the city.

2. Anaemia

   Anaemia has emerged as a significant health problem among children and women in Ranchi. According to the National Family Health Survey-5, approximately 5.6 lakh women between the age group of 15-49 years, and more than 1.5 lakh children below 5 years of age were diagnosed with anaemia in Ranchi. Inadequate iron intake and vitamin B-12 deficiency are majorly responsible for increasing anaemia cases in the Ranchi district.

3. Hypertension

   Ranchi has recorded a noteworthy increase in hypertension cases over the last few years. As per the fifth round of the National Family Health Survey, hypertension cases in Ranchi surged from 13% in 2016 to 20% in 2020. This increase is primarily due to poor lifestyle habits like stress, unhealthy food consumption, smoking, not exercising enough, consuming intoxicated substances, insufficient sleep, etc.

4. Obesity

   Obesity has a high incidence in Ranchi. According to the National Family Health Survey- 5, 1,41,663 women in Ranchi in the age group of 15-49 years were suffering from obesity in 2020. Sedentary lifestyles, high amount of stress, not getting enough sleep, unhealthy eating habits, etc. are the root causes of the overweight problem in the city.

5. Malaria

   Malaria is another significant health concern in Ranchi. According to the official report, Ranchi reported more than 82 malaria cases from January to August 2024. The Ranchi Municipal Corporation has ensured fogging, larvicidal spraying and public awareness initiatives to control the spread of malaria in the city.

How Much Health Insurance Coverage Do You Need in Ranchi?

As per experts in the insurance industry, you must choose a health plan that offers coverage equivalent to 50% of your yearly income. However, it is equally important to select a mediclaim insurance policy that provides sufficient coverage for all your healthcare costs in Ranchi, including the expense of treating critical illnesses prevalent in the city.

Given the high medicare costs in Ranchi, you must invest in a health insurance policy with a sum insured ranging from ₹5-10 lakh. If you want a family floater policy, consider buying a family health insurance plan with a minimum coverage of ₹20 lakh.

Moreover, senior citizens in Ranchi must opt for a senior citizen health insurance policy with a sum insured of ₹15 lakh or more.

Health Insurance in Ranchi for NRIs

Non-resident Indians or NRIs from Ranchi are eligible to purchase medical plans from any of the health insurance companies in India. They can use the policy to pay for healthcare expenses that may arise unexpectedly during their short-term visit or long-term stay in Ranchi. Furthermore, if they plan to settle back in Ranchi after a few years, they can continue using the same health insurance for NRIs policy and that too without serving any additional waiting period.

In fact, NRIs can also purchase health insurance for parents living in Ranchi to help them financially in case of any unforeseen medical emergency. Also, NRIs can get an 18% GST refund on health insurance premiums, given that they fulfil their tax obligations in their foreign country of residence.

People also read: GST Refund on Health Insurance for NRIs

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

No.

The Mukhyamantri Abua Swasthya Suraksha Yojana is a health insurance program launched by the Jharkhand Government to provide free healthcare facilities to low-income families in the state, including those in Ranchi. The scheme aims to help families that could not avail the benefits of the Ayushman Bharat Yojana. Even though Mukhyamantri Abua Swasthya Suraksha Yojana covers 21 serious illnesses, it does not offer complete health coverage for Ranchi residents.

The table below shows why the Mukhyamantri Abua Swasthya Suraksha Yojana is not enough to provide extensive medicare in Ranchi:

Wellness and Prevention Tips in Ranchi

Have a glance at some of the helpful wellness and prevention tips in Ranchi:

• Use larvicides in water storage containers in Ranchi.
• Eat balanced meals in Ranchi with plenty of fruits and vegetables.
• Eliminate standing water in and around your house.
• Cover trash cans and keep surroundings clean in Ranchi.
• Include physical activity in your daily routine.
• Include folate-rich foods like green leafy vegetables.
• Avoid junk food and opt for nutritious options in Ranchi.
• Use mosquito repellents and wear long-sleeved clothing to reduce skin exposure in Ranchi.
• Manage stress with different relaxation techniques like yoga, deep breathing, meditation, etc.
• Quit smoking to improve overall health in Ranchi.