Does Health Insurance Cover Sleep Disorders?

Does Health Insurance Cover Sleep Disorders in India?

Most of the insurers today cover sleep disorders as a part of mental health coverage. The reason is that they are extremely common and widespread in nature. There are several benefits as well that one can get upon purchasing a mental health insurance policy to cover sleep disorder treatments.

Read on to learn about the types of sleep disorders covered by health insurance, the benefits, the terms of mental health coverage and more.

What are the types of sleep disorders covered by health insurance?

Some common types of sleep disorders covered by health insurance include:

• Sleep apnoea
• Chronic Insomnia
• Restless leg syndrome
• Sleep disorder due to work
• Narcolepsy
• REM disorders
• Delayed sleep syndrome

What are the causes of sleep disorders?

Primarily, changes in the sleep cycle can lead to the development of sleeping disorders. Some prevalent causes include:

• Mental health conditions like depression or anxiety
• Medical conditions like asthma, nerve disease, or pain
• Genetic mutations due to various reasons
• Working the night shift in the office
• Low levels of multiple chemicals in the brain
• Consumption of caffeine or alcohol during bedtime
• Side effects of multiple medications

Furthermore, there are several risk factors associated with the disease. These include:

• Immense stress due to various reasons
• Having a family history of sleep disorders
• Working late at night and not resting properly
• Having a serious health condition
• Ageing can also lead to multiple sleeping disorders.

Once you start noticing the symptoms, you can proceed with the necessary treatment.

What is the diagnosis process for sleep disorders?

There are several ways in which healthcare providers can confirm the development of sleep disorders. These include:

• Physical tests
• Maintenance of a sleeping journal
• Actigraphy
• Study of sleep, known as polysomnography
• Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT)
• Home sleep apnoea test
• Evaluation of nerve stimulation therapy of the upper airway
• Maintenance of wakefulness test (MWT)
• Overnight oximetry test

What are the Benefits of Mental Health Coverage for Sleep Disorders?

Listed below are some of the notable benefits that you can get upon purchasing mental health coverage for sleep disorders:

• Financial Support: Having mental health coverage allows you to have adequate financial backup whenever you visit the hospital for treatment.
• Widespread Coverage: Upon purchasing a mental health insurance plan, you can raise a claim for several other mental health issues related to sleep disorders. They include depression, anxiety, eating disorders, etc.
• Access to Best Treatments: Insurers like Star Health have over 14,000 network hospitals across India. This gives you the power to choose the hospital where you can get the best treatment, alongside raising cashless claims without hassle.

What are the terms of mental health coverage for sleep disorders?

The following are some of the crucial terms of mental health insurance plans:

• Declaration During Policy Purchase: Mental illness declared during the policy purchase is considered a pre-existing condition. This entails completing a waiting period, after which claims related to sleep disorders will be accepted.
• Sub-limits on Disease Coverage: Insurance providers often set limits on specific mental health conditions. This limit varies from one insurer to another and is also based on the policy type.
• Seriousness of the Condition: If the mental health condition of the individual poses high risks, the insurers may reject their coverage or increase the premium, whichever is feasible.

However, when purchasing a plan, read the policy documents carefully to have a clear understanding of the scope of inclusions, waiting periods, exclusions, and other details, ensuring there are no unpleasant surprises when filing claims.