Health Insurance in Telangana

Health Statistics of Telangana

Check out the health statistics of Telangana:

• 47.7% of people are obese in Telangana
• Cancer cases in Telangana have been increasing by 6% every year
• 18.1% of people in Telangana have diabetes
• Head and neck cancer is the most common type of cancer in Telangana
• Telangana reports the 5th highest number of breast cancer cases in India
• 56% of all corporate employees in Telangana suffer from at least 1 non-communicable disease

Why Do You Need Health Insurance in Telangana?

Here are some of the reasons why you must buy health insurance in Telangana:

1. High Incidence of Lifestyle Diseases

   Lifestyle diseases, such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, cancer, etc., have a high prevalence in Telangana. According to the ICMR-INDIAB study, more than 25% of the people in Telangana suffer from hypertension and abdominal obesity. These diseases can lead to major health complications and burden your finances over time. But if you buy a critical illness insurance policy, your insurance company will take care of the treatment cost for these diseases.

2. Prevalence of Communicable Diseases

   Telangana has a high incidence of communicable diseases, such as tuberculosis. As per the official data, more than 72,000 cases of tuberculosis were reported in Telangana in 2022. Such diseases take a toll not only on your body but also on your savings. To stay financially prepared for these diseases without losing your savings, buying the best health insurance plan should be your priority.

3. High Cost of Medical Facilities

   Healthcare facilities in Telangana are highly expensive. According to reports, Telangana spends the 9th highest on out-of-pocket healthcare expenses compared to other states in India. Doing so results in a major financial burden on the people of the state and interrupts their investment & retirement goals. But by buying a mediclaim insurance policy, you can afford expensive healthcare in Telangana while maintaining your future financial goals.

4. No Compromise on Treatment

   Given the high cost of medical facilities in Telangana, several people delay their treatment unless necessary or opt for an alternative affordable treatment. Doing so can compromise their treatment and, in turn, their health. However, by buying a health insurance policy, they can obtain the best quality treatment without worrying about paying the hospital bills.

Major Health Problems in Telangana

Take a look at some of the prominent health problems in Telangana:

1. Diabetes

   Diabetes has a high prevalence in Telangana. According to the National Family Health Survey, about 18.1% of men and 14.7% of women in Telangana have diabetes. Besides, diabetes has a higher incidence in urban areas of the state than in rural areas.

2. Hypertension

   Hypertension has a huge presence in Telangana. As per the Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) survey reports, more than 13 lakh people in Telangana suffer from high blood pressure. In fact, the prevalence of hypertension in the state increased by 20% in 2022 compared to previous years.

3. Obesity

   Obesity is a major concern in Telangana. According to the Health of the Nation study, around 18% of all corporate employees in Telangana are obese. High consumption of processed foods and low levels of physical activity are the main reasons for the high prevalence of obesity in the state.

4. Cancer

   Cancer is growing rapidly in Telangana. As per official reports, about 51,000 new cases of cancer were identified in Telangana in 2023. In fact, people below 35 years old account for 20% of all new cancer cases in the state.

5. Tuberculosis

   Tuberculosis is highly prevalent in Telangana. According to India’s NI-Kshay dashboard, around 72,878 people in Telangana were diagnosed with tuberculosis in 2022. In fact, tuberculosis grew by 20% in Telangana in 2022 compared to 2021, where it had recorded 60,788 cases.

6. Dengue

   Dengue is also quite a menace in Telangana. As per the official data, around 7,894 cases of dengue were reported in Telangana in 2023 by November 30. Frequent rainfall in the state, leading to stagnant water, is the biggest reason for the large number of dengue cases in Telangana.

How Much Health Insurance Coverage Do You Need in Telangana?

According to insurance experts, your health insurance policy sum insured should be at least 50% of your annual income. However, it is important to ensure that your health policy covers all your medical expenses in Telangana, especially the treatment cost of major illnesses, such as heart surgery cost, cancer treatment cost, etc.

Considering the expensive healthcare facilities and high out-of-pocket expenses in Telangana, a health insurance policy of at least Rs 10 lakh is recommended. To ensure coverage for your entire family in Telangana, a family health insurance policy of Rs 30 lakh or more must be purchased.

For senior citizens, a senior citizen health insurance policy of Rs 20 lakh or above is recommended.

Health Insurance in Telangana for NRIs

If you are an NRI (or Non-resident Indian) from Telangana, you can also buy a mediclaim policy from any health insurance companies in India. This policy can come in handy to pay for the medical bills incurred during their stay in Telangana. Moreover, if they decide to shift back to Telangana in future, they can use the same health insurance for NRIs policy without serving additional waiting periods.

NRIs living abroad can also buy health insurance for parents living back in Telangana. This policy can be used to pay for their parents’ medical expenses during a medical emergency in Telangana. Further, NRIs from Telangana are also eligible for an 18% GST paid at the time of buying the medical insurance policy from an Indian insurer.

People also read: GST Refund on Health Insurance for NRIs

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

No.

The Government of Telangana introduced the Aarogyasri scheme to provide cashless treatment to all the people living below the poverty line (BPL) in the state. However, the scheme falls short of providing comprehensive medical coverage to all the people in Telangana. Check out the table given below to understand why the Aarogyasri scheme is not enough to pay for all your medical expenditures in Telangana:

Wellness and Prevention Tips in Telangana

Given below are some of the wellness and prevention tips to stay healthy in Telangana:

• Follow a healthy diet rich in leafy vegetables, seasonal fruits and lean proteins
• Exercise daily in Telangana for at least an hour to keep your body fit and active
• Quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption in Telangana
• Sleep for at least 7-9 hours every day in Telangana
• Prevent water from stagnating around your house or office in Telangana
• Avoid the consumption of processed foods and sugary beverages
• Practice meditation or yoga in Telangana to manage your stress levels
• Regularly go for a health check-up in Telangana to identify any disease at an early stage
• Use a mosquito repellent or wear full-sleeved clothes to prevent mosquito bites