Does Health Insurance Cover Hepatitis Treatments?

Hepatitis & Health Insurance: Coverage, Costs & Prevention in India

Hepatitis is a viral infection of the liver that causes inflammation of the liver. It may occur due to several reasons, such as alcohol, medications, misusing specific drugs, and toxins. Sometimes, your body produces antibodies to target the liver tissues, causing autoimmune hepatitis. It can also cause other liver complications like cirrhosis, liver cancer, fibrosis, etc.

Whatever the cause may be, hepatitis is a severe liver condition that needs immediate attention and requires expensive treatment. Therefore, if your health insurance covers the treatment of hepatitis, it can save you from incurring a significant expense.

Continue reading to learn about whether hepatitis is covered by health insurance and why it is needed.

Is Hepatitis Covered Under Health Insurance Policies?

Yes, most health insurance policies cover medical costs related to hepatitis. If you think you are exposed to contracting hepatitis, it's essential to select a health insurance policy that offers protection against the disease. Protection typically varies based on the type of hepatitis that has been diagnosed and the severity of the disease.

Insurers can assist if you don't respond to cheaper treatments or if you already have liver damage. For those who do not have a specific hepatitis health policy yet, Star Health offers its coverage under the Star Critical Illness Multipay Insurance Policy.

We also provide hassle-free claim settlements with a reduced turnaround time across over 14,000 network hospitals in India.

Why is Hepatitis Coverage in Health Insurance Necessary?

India faces a significant burden from hepatitis, with about 40 million carriers and over 115,000 annual deaths due to related complications. This makes securing hepatitis insurance coverage a necessary requirement.

Here are the key reasons why such health insurance is essential:

• Limited Health Savings and Insurance Awareness : Most people lack proper knowledge of medical policies or have inadequate education. Therefore, they do not obtain a health insurance policy. Approximately 75% of Indians pay for healthcare out-of-pocket, straining their finances, especially among middle- and lower-income groups. Without insurance, families often exhaust their savings or assets to cover medical costs, while insured individuals benefit from manageable monthly premiums and financial support during severe illnesses.
• Rising Medical Inflation : India has one of the highest medical inflation rates in Asia, currently around 14%, and it is expected to rise further. The costs of diagnostics, medicines, hospital stays, and consultations are increasing due to advancements in medical technology. Insurance covers patients against unpredictable medical expenses, allowing access to quality care without being affected by inflation.
• High Cost of Hepatitis Treatment : The treatment process for hepatitis may be costly. An antiviral injection costs up to ₹4,000 per vial and is needed multiple times throughout treatment. Additional expenses include pre- and post-treatment care, hospitalisation, and doctor consultations, making overall treatment unaffordable for many. Insurance helps cover these substantial costs, preventing financial hardship for patients and their families.
• Widespread and Easily Transmissible Disease : India’s large population and close living conditions facilitate the spread of hepatitis through blood, saliva, sexual contact, and shared needles or blades. The risk of contracting hepatitis is higher, making insurance coverage valuable for almost everyone.
• Low Awareness and Asymptomatic Cases : Many people remain unaware of their hepatitis infection. This is because hepatitis mostly remains asymptomatic or pretends to be like other diseases. Chronic, untreated cases can lead to life-threatening complications like liver cirrhosis or cancer. Insurance often includes annual health checkups and diagnostic tests, enabling early detection and timely treatment.

How to Prevent Hepatitis?

To lower the risk of hepatitis, consider following the crucial tips listed below:

• Consider Vaccination : Vaccination can lower the risk of hepatitis. The vaccine and booster must be given to children above one year of age for long-term protection. Healthcare professionals, military personnel, individuals engaging in unprotected sex, and those with close contact with infected persons are mostly at risk of hepatitis.
• Maintain Hygiene : Maintaining proper hygiene is essential to staying protected from hepatitis. Regular hand washing before eating, after travelling on public transport, or after using a restroom prevents infection. Wear gloves and a mask when handling patients with hepatitis, and thoroughly disinfect your hands afterwards.
• Consume Clean Food and Water : Avoid contaminated food and water by refraining from consuming raw meat, fish, dairy products, and fruits from street vendors. Do not drink unfiltered or unboiled water or beverages with ice from roadside vendors. Always boil and filter drinking water to minimise contamination risk.

Hepatitis insurance in India is crucial due to high disease prevalence, rising treatment costs, and the risk of undetected infections. It provides financial protection, ensures timely care, and supports public health efforts to combat this major health challenge.