Do Insurers Offer Discounts for Maintaining a Healthy BMI?

BMI-Based Discounts in India: Fact or Fiction?

Discounts are a token of encouragement. As a part of various wellness initiatives, health insurance companies in India offer rewards and benefits to maintain a healthy lifestyle, including a perfect BMI.

The concept of BMI-based discounts is common in countries like the United States and the United Kingdom. However, in India, the practice is still evolving. Top insurers in India are gradually introducing wellness programs to encourage policyholders.

Also read  BMI Test

Growing Focus on Wellness in India

In recent years, there has been a growing awareness of maintaining a healthy BMI. The increasing rates of obesity and related chronic health problems such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases are the primary drivers of this awareness.

As a result, many health insurance providers are offering wellness-related features as part of their policies. While direct discounts specifically for a healthy BMI are not yet common practice, these initiatives include various features. These include annual health check-ups, fitness tracking, preventive health screenings, and lifestyle management tools.

Some of these initiatives reward policyholders for participating in activities that help them maintain a healthy BMI. Insurers provide discounts on premiums for those who regularly engage in health-improving activities. While these programs do not offer direct discounts for having a healthy BMI, they are structured to promote overall wellness.

Also read BMI Calculator for Kids

Example of Wellness Programs by Insurers in India

Star Health, one of the reputed insurance companies in India, offers a wellness program. It encourages policyholders to undergo regular health check-ups and follow a healthy lifestyle. Policyholders can earn points through activities like walking, using the Health Risk Assessment (HRA), getting preventive tests, and joining fun activities.

The earned wellness points can be used to get discounts on renewal premiums. Some plans offer discounts of up to 20% on renewal premiums. The program is accessible through the STAR Health App and the STAR Wellness App.

Also read  BMI Calculator in India

Limitations of BMI-Based Discounts in India

While wellness programs are gaining popularity, BMI-specific discounts remain a rare feature in India’s health insurance sector for several reasons. Take a look:

● One significant limitation is that BMI is not a perfect indicator of health. This especially applies to individuals with a high muscle mass, such as athletes. They can have a high BMI but be in good physical condition. Such conditions affect the BMI-based discount facility.

● Additionally, India has a diverse population with varying access to healthcare. Since the nation lacks a unified wellness infrastructure, it can also affect the BMI-based direct discount features.

This is why Indian insurers offer wellness programs that are more focused on holistic health management rather than BMI-specific incentives.

Insurers in India offer wellness programs to promote healthier lifestyles. However, discounts for maintaining a healthy BMI are still rare. Most focus on broader initiatives like health check-ups and fitness tracking.

While BMI discounts may become more common in the future, policyholders currently benefit more from rewards for activities like gym memberships and health screenings.

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