Health Insurance in Surat

Health Statistics of Surat

Have a glance at the recent health statistics of Surat:

• 84% of children and 69% of women in Surat are anaemic.
• 25% of women in Surat are obese/overweight.
• 23% of Surat women are affected by hypertension.
• 15% of women have diabetes in Surat.
• Surat recorded nearly 1100 gastroenteritis cases in 2022.

Why Do You Need Health Insurance in Surat?

Check out the reasons to buy health insurance plans in Surat:

1. Prevalence of Lifestyle Diseases

   Lifestyle diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, and hypertension, are becoming major health concerns in Surat. According to the latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), over 4.93 lakh women aged 15-49 years in Surat are classified as overweight/obese, and around 4.60 lakh women in the same age group suffer from hypertension. While mild cases can be managed at home, severe conditions may require hospitalisation, which could drain your savings. Opting for health plans, like health insurance for high blood pressure and health insurance for diabetes, can help you get the necessary treatment, with your insurer taking care of all your medical bills.

2. High Incidence of Infectious Diseases

   Surat has been witnessing a significant surge in infectious diseases, such as diarrhoea and gastroenteritis. According to the Surat Municipal Corporation, 1098 gastroenteritis cases were recorded in Surat in 2022. Treating these infectious diseases can be expensive, especially if it requires hospitalisation. But with comprehensive health insurance, you can receive top-quality treatment without any financial stress.

3. Rising Medical Costs

   The improving healthcare infrastructure in Surat has led to a rise in the cost of medical facilities. For example, the average cost of a coronary angioplasty in Surat is around ₹3.30 lakh, while the price can reach up to approximately ₹4.10 lakh. Given these high costs, many families may struggle to afford necessary treatments. This makes it essential to have mediclaim insurance that provides coverage between ₹5-10 lakh.

4. Access to High-Quality Treatment

   Surat offers advanced medical care, but the cost can be expensive for many. As a result, some residents opt for lower-quality or less effective treatment options to save money. By investing in health insurance, people in Surat can access the best medicare services without compromising their financial well-being.

Major Health Problems in Surat

Listed below are the major health problems in Surat:

1. Anaemia

   Anaemia cases are rising alarmingly in Surat, especially among women and children. As per NFHS-5 data, over 13.6 lakh women aged 15-49 years and around 4.3 lakh children under 5 years of age are affected by anaemia in Surat. The leading causes of anaemia in the city are poor intake of iron-rich and vitamin C-rich foods among people.

2. Obesity

   Obesity has a high incidence in Surat, particularly among women. The National Family Health Survey-5 reveals that around 4.93 lakh women, aged between 15-49 years, are obese/overweight in Surat. This high number is mainly due to lack of sleep, poor eating habits, high stress levels, and insufficient physical activity.

3. Hypertension

   High blood pressure, or hypertension, is another significant health issue in Surat. According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-5, over 4.6 lakh women in Surat, in the age group of 15-49 years, are suffering from hypertension. Factors like high salt intake, lack of exercise, and stress might play a role in the growing number of cases.

4. Diabetes

   Diabetes is another common lifestyle disease affecting Surat's population. According to the fifth round of the National Family Health Survey, over 2.87 lakh women in Surat, aged 15-49 years, are diabetic. A growing preference for sugary and processed foods, along with increasing obesity cases, are responsible for diabetes issues in Surat.

5. Diarrhoea

   The number of diarrhoea cases has been increasing in Surat. A city-wide health survey in July 2023 reported 241 cases of diarrhoea in Surat within the first four days. The likely reasons for this rise include poor sanitation, unsafe drinking water, and lack of proper hygiene practices.

How Much Health Insurance Coverage Do You Need in Surat?

To stay financially protected during unforeseen medical circumstances, insurance experts recommend that your health insurance coverage should be at least 50% of your annual income. Moreover, you must choose a plan that is sufficient to cover the high treatment costs of critical illnesses, such as kidney failure, cancer, stroke, etc.

In a city like Surat, where healthcare expenses are rising, having an individual mediclaim policy with coverage of around ₹5-10 lakh should suffice. However, when it comes to insuring the entire family, it is better to opt for a family health insurance plan with a sum insured of ₹20 lakh or more.

For elderly residents in Surat, buying a senior citizen health insurance plan with a minimum sum insured of ₹15 lakh is essential.

Health Insurance in Surat for NRIs

Non-resident Indians, or NRIs, from Surat can buy medical insurance from any of the health insurance companies in India. This health insurance for NRIs policy will cover all healthcare expenses throughout their stay in Surat. In fact, if NRIs wish to return to Surat after a few years, they can continue using the same policy without worrying about serving any fresh waiting periods.

NRIs can also purchase health insurance for parents living in Surat to protect them from the financial burden of covering unanticipated medicare costs. Moreover, NRIs are eligible to receive an 18% GST refund on health insurance premiums paid in India, provided they comply with the tax regulations 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 Surat?

No.

The Gujarat Government launched the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana - Mukhyamantri Amrutum (PMJAY-MA) on September 4, 2012. This government health insurance scheme aims to provide healthcare assistance to people living Below the Poverty Line (BPL) and lower-middle-class families in Gujarat, including those living in Surat. Though it covers medical treatment expenses, diagnostic tests and post-hospitalisation costs, it still falls short of offering complete medicare in Surat.

Take a look at the table below to see why the PMJAY-Mukhyamantri Amrutum Yojana is not enough to cover all medical expenses in the city:

Wellness and Prevention Tips in Surat

Here are some of the wellness and prevention tips for Surat residents:

• Drink plenty of water daily to prevent dehydration in Surat.
• Add high-fibre foods to your diet, like fruits and vegetables.
• Exercise for at least 30 minutes regularly in Surat.
• Limit consumption of processed and fried foods to reduce obesity risk in Surat.
• To cure anaemia in Surat, include spinach, beans, and other iron-rich foods in your diet.
• Practice relaxation techniques like meditation to manage hypertension in Surat.
• Eat homemade food over junk food to keep yourself healthy.
• Get at least 7-9 hours of sleep every day to rejuvenate your body.
• Limit the consumption of excess sugar to keep diabetes at bay.