In recent years, there has been a significant shift towards traditional treatments in healthcare as more people embrace holistic approaches like Ayurveda, Homeopathy, and Naturopathy. These treatments, collectively known as AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy), are gaining recognition for their natural and less invasive healing methods. With growing awareness about the benefits of these treatments, modern healthcare systems are now integrating traditional practices to offer a more holistic approach to patient care.
Health insurance providers in India have responded to this by including AYUSH coverage in their policies, allowing policyholders to receive traditional treatments without the financial burden. In this article, let’s explore the top health insurance plans offering AYUSH coverage and provide insight into how traditional treatments are becoming an essential part of modern health insurance offerings.
Best Health Insurance Plans Offering Traditional Treatment Coverage
| Insurance Provider | Plan Name | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Aditya Birla Health Insurance | Activ One Max | PED WP: 3 years NCB: 100% PA up to 500% Restoration: 100% unlimited times |
| HDFC ERGO | Optima Secure | PED WP: 3 years NCB: 50% PA up to 100% Restoration: 100% once a year |
| Care Health Insurance | Care Supreme | PED WP: 3 years (Can be reduced with add-ons) NCB: 50% PA up to 100% (Can be reduced with add-ons) Restoration: 100% unlimited times |
| Bajaj Allianz | Health Guard Gold | PED WP: 3 years NCB: 10% PA up to 100% Restoration: 100% unlimited times |
These policies enable you to choose traditional remedies without incurring out-of-pocket expenses, providing a valuable option for those who prefer natural treatment methods.
Note: As per the latest IRDAI update, sub-limits for AYUSH treatments have been removed, and now these treatments are covered up to the base cover amount. This change signifies the growing importance of traditional treatments, offering you, as the policyholder, more options for holistic healthcare.
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What are Traditional Treatments in Health Insurance (AYUSH)?
Under the umbrella of AYUSH, traditional treatments focus on natural and holistic healing methods. These therapies include Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy, which have been practised for centuries in India. These treatments emphasise maintaining a balance between the body, mind, and environment, aiming to enhance overall well-being rather than just treating specific illnesses.
AYUSH treatments are now recognised as effective complementary therapies that can be used alongside conventional medical treatments. The inclusion of these therapies in health insurance plans enables you to choose both modern and natural treatments without worrying about financial constraints.
Ayurveda Coverage in Health Insurance
Ayurveda is one of the oldest systems of medicine. It focuses on restoring balance within the body through diet, herbal remedies, lifestyle changes, and detoxification techniques. It is widely used to treat chronic conditions, enhance immunity, and promote overall wellness.
Homeopathy Coverage in Health Insurance
Homoeopathy is based on the principle of treating ailments using highly diluted natural substances that trigger the body's natural healing response. It is commonly used for treating allergies, chronic illnesses, and skin conditions with minimal side effects.
Naturopathy and Other Alternative Medicine Coverage in Health Insurance
Naturopathy focuses on natural healing techniques, including diet management, lifestyle changes, and therapies like hydrotherapy, mud therapy, and yoga. Alongside Yoga, Unani, and Siddha, these treatments form an essential part of alternative medicine.
Health Insurance Plans Covering Traditional Treatments:
- Aditya Birla Activ One Max: Known for its comprehensive wellness features, this policy includes AYUSH treatment coverage up to the full sum insured. It also provides other benefits like annual health check-ups and an unlimited restoration benefit, making it an excellent choice for those seeking holistic health care.
- HDFC ERGO Optima Secure: Optima Secure offers comprehensive coverage, including AYUSH treatments. It covers hospitalisation expenses for AYUSH treatments, provided they are administered in a government-recognised hospital or an accredited institution, and you must be admitted for at least 24 hours to qualify.
- Care Supreme: This plan is ideal for individuals seeking a budget-friendly yet comprehensive policy. Care Supreme offers high cover amounts with no restrictions on room rent or disease-wise sub-limits. It also covers alternative treatments under AYUSH and offers a super No-Claim Bonus add-on (NCB) that can increase the sum insured by 100% annually up to 500%!
How to Claim for Traditional Treatments (AYUSH) under Health Insurance?
Claiming for AYUSH treatments under health insurance usually requires the following conditions to be met:
- Hospitalisation: The treatment must be availed at a government-recognised hospital or an institution accredited by the AYUSH Ministry.
- Treatment Centres: Ensure that the facility where you receive treatment is listed as an approved centre by your insurance provider to qualify for cashless or reimbursement claims.
Note: Your insurer will cover only treatments that are medically deemed necessary and last for at least 24 hours. Most insurers do not cover traditional treatments undertaken as a day-care procedure.
Limitations and Exclusions for Traditional (AYUSH) Treatments
Despite the growing coverage for AYUSH treatments, there are still some common limitations and exclusions that policyholders should be aware of:
- Specific Conditions: Health insurance policies only cover traditional treatments if they are used to treat specific medical conditions, excluding them for general wellness or preventive purposes.
- Expense Limits: While the IRDAI has removed sub-limits, some insurers may still cap the number of sessions or have other limitations on claims for traditional treatments.
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Conclusion
The inclusion of traditional treatments in health insurance policies marks a significant shift towards more holistic and patient-centric healthcare. With AYUSH treatments becoming more widely accepted, insurers are expanding their offerings to cater to this growing demand. As traditional therapies continue to gain prominence in modern healthcare, the future holds promising developments in the scope and extent of coverage for these natural treatments, providing policyholders with a broader spectrum of healthcare options.
If you need help choosing the right insurance policy, you can always book a free consultation with Ditto’s IRDAI-certified advisors.
