Health Insurance in Visakhapatnam

Health Statistics of Visakhapatnam

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

• Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Visakhapatnam
• 15.1% of people in urban Vizag have type-2 diabetes 
• Vizag reported the highest number of dengue cases in 2022
• Heart attack cases rising among people aged 25-44 years in Vizag

Why Do You Need Health Insurance in Visakhapatnam?

Check out the reasons why buying health insurance in Visakhapatnam is a smart move:

1. High incidence of Lifestyle Diseases 

   Lifestyle diseases like diabetes, cancer, hypertension, etc. are increasing rapidly in Visakhapatnam. Not only are these diseases expensive to treat, but the treatment continues for a long time. Moreover, if you end up getting hospitalized for these treatments, it will lead to expensive medical bills. Buying a critical illness insurance policy will help you pay for the treatment of these diseases without creating a financial burden.

2. Huge Burden of Vector-borne Disease

   Vizag has a massive burden of vector-borne diseases, such as malaria and dengue. According to official reports, Visakhapatnam reported 3000 malaria and 734 dengue cases in 2023. Although most people get cured at home, severe cases require hospitalization, which may churn up a huge bill. However, plans like dengue health insurance and health insurance for malaria can cover the treatment cost of these vector-borne diseases.

3. Bad Air Quality

   Visakhapatnam has several industries, which makes air pollution a common phenomenon in the city. As per data, the PM2.5 concentration in Vizag air is 5.4 times more than the World Health Organization (WHO)’s recommended annual air quality. Hence, air-borne diseases, such as asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory diseases, often plague residents of the city. In severe cases, the patient may need to be hospitalized, resulting in a huge hospital bill. If you do not want to exhaust your savings in paying medical bills, buying a suitable health plan, such as health insurance for asthma patients, is recommended.

4. Compromise on Treatment Quality

   Not everybody can afford the best quality medical treatment for their illness, thanks to the rising medical inflation. As a result, many people delay their treatment or compromise on its quality due to financial limitations. However, you can afford quality treatment at the hospital of your choice if you buy the best health insurance plan.

Major Health Problems in Visakhapatnam

Here are some of the major health problems in Visakhapatnam:

1. Cancer

   Cancer is extremely common in Vizag. As per the YSR Aarogyasri Health Care trust data, breast cancer accounts for the maximum number of cancer cases, followed by cervical cancer and oral cancer. Tobacco consumption, bad food habits, poor lifestyle and air pollution are the major causes of cancer in the city. 

2. Diabetes

   Diabetes has a high prevalence in Visakhapatnam. According to a study by the National Institute of Health (NIH), around 15.1% of people in urban Vizag suffer from type-2 diabetes. Experts blame stress, obesity and bad food habits for the rising cases of diabetes in this coastal city.

3. Malaria

   Malaria has a massive presence in Vizag. As per the official data, around 3000 malaria cases were reported in Visakhapatnam in 2023. Stagnant water, mainly due to excessive rain, is responsible for the breeding of mosquitoes that spread malaria.

4. Dengue

   Dengue is quite a menace in Visakhapatnam. According to official reports, about 734 cases of dengue were reported in Vizag in 2023. Breeding of mosquitoes due to stagnant rainwater in puddles, discarded tyres, empty containers, coconut shells, etc., is the reason for the breeding of mosquitoes that transmit the dengue virus. 

5. Heart Diseases

   Heart diseases are increasing rapidly in Vizag. As per reports, heart attacks among people aged 25 to 44 years in Visakhapatnam are on the rise. Doctors blame hypertension, high cholesterol, obesity and other bad lifestyle habits for the increase in heart diseases in the city.

How Much Health Insurance Coverage Do You Need in Visakhapatnam?

In Visakhapatnam, you must have a mediclaim insurance policy that sufficiently covers all your medical expenses in the city, especially the treatment cost of a critical illness like kidney failure, heart attack, cancer, etc. Besides, insurance experts recommend buying a health insurance policy with a minimum coverage amount of at least half of your annual income. 

Since medical facilities are expensive in Vizag, you should opt for a health policy with a sum insured of ₹5-10 lakh. If you want to cover your entire family in Visakhapatnam, a family floater health insurance policy of ₹20 lakh and above is ideal. Moreover, elderly people above 60 years can go for a senior citizen health insurance policy of at least ₹15 lakh in Vizag.

Health Insurance in Visakhapatnam for NRIs

If you are a non-resident Indian or NRI, you are also eligible to buy medical insurance in Visakhapatnam from any health insurance companies in India. This policy can be used to claim medical expenses incurred during your short-term visit or long-term stay in Vizag. Moreover, you can use the same health insurance for NRIs policy once you move back to Visakhapatnam permanently without the need to serve fresh waiting periods.

Additionally, you can also buy health insurance for parents living in Visakhapatnam. You can use the policy to pay for any emergency or planned medical expenditures your parents incur in Vizag. Besides, you can also get a GST refund of 18% on the health insurance premium paid to an insurance company in India, provided you are a taxpayer in your foreign country of residence. 

People also read: GST Refund on Health Insurance for NRIs

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

No.

The Government of Andhra Pradesh launched the Dr. YSR Aarogyasri scheme in 2007 to provide free healthcare facilities to low-income families in the state. It provides cashless medical treatment for identified diseases under secondary and tertiary care at empanelled government and private hospitals in the state. However, the scheme is not sufficient to cover all medical expenditures incurred in Vizag. 

Take a look at the following table to understand why Dr YSR Aarogyasri scheme is not enough to cover your healthcare expenses in Visakhapatnam:

Wellness and Prevention Tips in Visakhapatnam

Check out a few wellness tips to stay healthy in Visakhapatnam:

• Quit smoking and consumption of tobacco & tobacco-containing products
• Eat foods that are rich in leafy vegetables and fresh fruits
• Limit the intake of alcohol to stay healthy
• Get vaccinated against Hepatitis B and Human Papillomaviruses
• Exercise regularly to stay active and fit
• Get screened for prevalent cancer regularly for early detection
• Wear full-sleeved clothes to prevent mosquitoes from biting
• Practice yoga or meditation to lower your stress levels
• Prevent stagnant water by covering empty containers with a lid
• Lower the consumption of salt and sugar to keep your blood pressure and diabetes in check