She may be a homemaker or a breadwinner, but there is no scope for doubt that a household cannot function without her. Hence, her health and her safety are of prime importance to everyone in the family. It is essential that when in need she gets the best health care that is out there to protect her and her family. So, as far as health insurance is concerned, a good one is essential for working women as well as homemakers.
However, despite the importance of this, only 10% of the total women workforce has some kind of health cover.
Uninsured women are more likely to suffer serious health problems as they tend to wait too long to seek treatment because of the costs involved.
“Only 10% of the total women workforce has some kind of health cover”
In a study published in the Indian Journal of Medical Research, the leading causes of death in women of reproductive age in India in India were listed.
So in a nutshell, anaemia, communicable diseases, injury, poisoning and cancers are the major killers amongst reproductive age group women.
A majority of the maternal deaths indicating the need to strengthen the maternal health care. Similarly, breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women in urban areas.
With all the above diseases, taking a toll on women’s health in our country, it points out, that a good health care can significantly reduce these numbers. However, with the increasing costs of health care, proves to be a major hurdle between women and good health. This is where an effective and affordable health care plan comes into play.
Since women have certain gender specific ailments, there are quite a few health insurance plans designed keeping them in mind. Some of them are as follows:
1. Wellsurance Woman policy by Tata AIG. It is a combination of hospitalization benefit and critical illness cover. It pays a lump sum in case the policyholder is diagnosed with any of 11 specified critical illnesses, including cancer, heart attack, stroke and kidney failure. It also pays out a daily cash benefit in case of hospitalization. But such a policy should be taken only as an addition to the basic health plan that covers hospitalization.
2. Bajaj Allianz’s critical illness cover: The policy covers eight women-specific critical illnesses, including paralysis and cancers (breast, ovarian, cervical, uterine, vaginal and fallopian tube). The treatment protocol for such illnesses is not only lengthy but also expensive and involves a lot of lifestyle modifications, such as giving up of job, ergonomic modifications at home, and so on.
Read more about benefits of critical illness policy
3. Maternity Add-On Cover: Most health insurers provide a maternity cover, which covers hospitalization charges related to pregnancy and childbearing. However, this add-on has a waiting period of 4 years and needs to be purchased in advance of the expected pregnancy.
Read more about maternity cover a must have benefit
For options on covers suitable for women of a particular age and pre-existing conditions, you can check out health insurance page. You can compare various insurances for your requirements and needs and choose specific add-ons.
Now, equipped with all the information, make sure every woman in your life is protected and secure.
Read also An anatomy of an health insurance plan
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