Health Insurance in Tamil Nadu

Health Statistics of Tamil Nadu

Check out some of the health statistics on Tamil Nadu:

• Tamil Nadu has the highest death rate due to lifestyle diseases like diabetes.
• 22.1% of men are diabetic or pre-diabetic in Tamil Nadu.
• Tamil Nadu reported the 5th highest cancer cases in India in 2022. 
• Breast cancer is the most common among women, and stomach cancer among women.
• 14% of adolescents are obese in Tamil Nadu.

Why Do You Need Health Insurance in Tamil Nadu?

Take a look at the reasons why buying health insurance in Tamil Nadu is a good investment:

1. High Risk of Lifestyle Diseases

   The incidence of lifestyle diseases, such as hypertension, cancer, diabetes, obesity, etc., is increasing in Tamil Nadu. More and more people are being diagnosed with lifestyle diseases that involve expensive long-term treatment. If you do not want to exhaust your savings in paying for the treatment of these diseases, you must buy a critical illness insurance policy.

2. Rise in Medical Inflation

   Healthcare services are becoming increasingly expensive in Tamil Nadu, thanks to the high rate of medical inflation. A single hospitalization can deplete your savings substantially. The only way to protect your savings from unforeseen medical expenses is by buying a medical insurance policy. 

3. Prevalence of Vector-borne Diseases

   Vector-borne diseases, such as dengue, filariasis, etc., have a wide presence in Tamil Nadu, especially in coastal areas. In severe cases, these diseases may lead to emergency hospitalization, creating a financial burden. However, people with health insurance for vector-borne diseases do not worry about hospital bills as it is paid by their insurer.

4. Obtaining the Best Available Treatment

   With the cost of medical facilities increasing every year, not everyone in Tamil Nadu can afford the best quality treatment. Instead, many people compromise on their treatment by going for an affordable one. However, you can avoid this situation and get the best available treatment with a mediclaim insurance policy.

Major Health Problems in Tamil Nadu

Here are some of the major health problems in Tamil Nadu:

1. Cancer

   Cancer is slowly growing as a major lifestyle disease in Tamil Nadu. As per the data from the Indian Council of Medical Research Cancer Registry, the state reported 93,536 new cases of cancer in 2022. In fact, it also reported the 5th highest number of deaths due to cancer in India in 2022.

2. Diabetes

   Diabetes has a 14.4% prevalence in Tamil Nadu. As per the National Family Health Survey data, the prevalence of diabetes in adults has increased to 12-14% in urban areas and 8% in rural areas. In fact, experts believe the numbers are said to rise with more children becoming obese.

3. Obesity

   Obesity is becoming a major cause of concern in Tamil Nadu. According to the data from the National Family Health Survey, 33.6% of women and 33.1% of men in urban areas of Tamil Nadu are obese. In fact, Tamil Nadu has one of the highest prevalence of abdominal obesity among Indian women.

4. Hypertension

   Hypertension is highly prevalent in Tamil Nadu. In fact, 55.1 lakh new cases of hypertension have been reported in Tamil Nadu since 2021. However, hypertension has a lower prevalence in rural areas as compared to urban areas of the state.

5. Filariasis

   Filariasis is highly prevalent in Tamil Nadu. In 2022, more than 8000 cases of filariasis were detected in the state. The presence of culex mosquitoes that transmits filariasis in the state is a major reason behind the spread of the disease.

6. Dengue

   Dengue is a huge menace in Tamil Nadu. The state reported 6430 dengue cases in 2022, which was the highest since 2019. The frequent floods in Chennai & nearby areas along with stagnant water are one of the biggest reasons for surging dengue cases in the state.

7. Leptospirosis

   Leptospirosis is a common disease in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. About 2612 cases of leptospirosis were diagnosed in 2022. In fact, the number of leptospirosis cases has doubled in Tamil Nadu over the last 4 years.

How Much Health Insurance Coverage Do You Need in Tamil Nadu?

People residing in Tamil Nadu should buy health insurance for a sum insured that sufficiently covers all their medical expenses. Generally, health insurance coverage amount of at least half of your annual income is recommended. Make sure that the coverage amount is enough to cover the treatment of a major illness in Tamil Nadu.

Keeping in mind the medical inflation in Tamil Nadu, citizens of the state should buy a health insurance policy of at least Rs 10 lakh. If you want coverage for your entire family in Tamil Nadu, you should buy family health insurance of Rs 15 lakh or more. 

Moreover, senior citizens in Tamil Nadu should buy a senior citizen health insurance policy of Rs 20 lakh and above.

Health Insurance in Tamil Nadu for NRIs

Non-Resident Indians or NRIs can purchase health insurance in Tamil Nadu from an Indian insurer. Health insurance for NRIs can be used to pay for medical expenses incurred during their visit or stay in Tamil Nadu. Moreover, you can rely on this policy for unforeseen medical expenses in case you plan to eventually move back to Tamil Nadu.

Moreover, NRIs can also purchase health insurance for parents residing in Tamil Nadu. This will enable them to support their parents financially during a medical emergency, even if they are not physically present. Additionally, NRIs can also get a refund on the GST paid at the time of buying health insurance in Tamil Nadu.

Know more: GST Refund on Health Insurance for NRIs

Is Government Health Insurance Enough to Cover Medical Expenses in Tamil Nadu?

No.

The Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme (CMCHIS), launched by the Tamil Nadu Government in January 2012, provides medical insurance to economically weaker sections of the state. However, the scheme is not enough to cover all the medical expenses of the beneficiary in Tamil Nadu. 

The following table highlights the reasons why the Tamil Nadu Government’s Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme does not provide comprehensive medical coverage:

Wellness and Prevention Tips in Tamil Nadu

Here are some wellness and prevention tips that you can follow to stay away from diseases in Tamil Nadu:

• Maintain a healthy diet rich in vegetables, fruits and lean proteins.
• Limit the usage of oil, sugary drinks, processed foods and alcohol in Tamil Nadu.
• Exercise regularly in Tamil Nadu to stay fit and healthy.
• Stop smoking to prevent the risk of respiratory diseases in Tamil Nadu.
• Wash your hands at regular intervals, especially before eating food in Tamil Nadu.
• Avoid places in Tamil Nadu with stagnant water that can be a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
• Wear full-sleeved clothes to avoid mosquito bites in Tamil Nadu.
• Stay hydrated by drinking at least 3 litres of water every day in Tamil Nadu.
• Let morning sunlight in Tamil Nadu fall on your skin for at least 10-15 minutes to increase Vitamin D intake.
• Make sure to get quality sleep of 7-9 hours every day in Tamil Nadu.
• Use mosquito repellents to stay away from mosquito bites in Tamil Nadu.