What is Health Insurance for Haemophilia Treatments?

Haemophilia Treatment & Insurance: What You Need to Know

As per reports by the Haemophilia and Health Collective of North (HHCN), India has the second-largest population of haemophilia cases worldwide. There are approximately 136,000 cases of haemophilia A, highlighting the need for proper monitoring, medication, and emergency care.

However, haemophilia management costs are usually on the higher side. Thus, for individuals having this disease or who are at high risk, having a proper health insurance plan is an absolute must.

Keep reading to learn about the cost of haemophilia treatment in India, coverage under health insurance, tips to choose the best policy and more.

What is the Cost of Hemophilia Treatment in India?

Here’s a rough breakdown of the treatment costs of hemophilia:

Note: The values provided in the table are estimates and can differ across hospitals. 

In severe cases, these costs can get out of hand, and insurance coverage becomes a financial lifesaver.

Is Haemophilia Covered Under Health Insurance?

Previously, most standard health insurance policies excluded haemophilia because it was considered a genetic disease. Now, as per the updated guidelines by the IRDAI (Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India), the inclusion of genetic disorders like haemophilia is permitted under insurance cover.

Today, many insurers offer health plans that cover fully or at least some of the expenses related to haemophilia, including:

• Hospitalisation
• Blood transfusions
• Clotting factor infusions
• Diagnostic tests
• Specialist consultations

Still, coverage will depend on the insurer and the plan.

What to Check Before Choosing Health Insurance for Haemophilia Treatments?

When purchasing a health insurance plan for haemophilia coverage, here are a few factors to consider:

1. Pre-existing Condition Clause : Most of the plans have a waiting period (12–36 months) to cover pre-existing conditions. Check whether it includes haemophilia and what the waiting period is.
2. Coverage for Clotting Factor Therapy : Make sure that the policy includes factor replacement therapy, the most costly part of haemophilia treatment.
3. Daycare Procedures : Minor surgeries and clotting factor infusions may not require 24-hour hospitalisation. Make sure your plan covers such daycare procedures.
4. Emergency Care and Ambulance Charges : A severe haemophilia patient will have frequent emergency visits. Find plans that will reimburse ambulance and emergency room charges.
5. Home Care Coverage : Patients must often receive at-home care or infusions. Under certain terms, home healthcare benefits are offered by some policies.

What are the government schemes for haemophilia patients in India?

Central and state governments in India have taken a lot of steps forward in providing care for haemophilia. They understand that diagnosis at the right time, free or subsidised treatment and the development of infrastructure can make a big difference in patient outcomes.

Though there is not one uniform scheme across the country, several state-specific initiatives and national programmes are there to bridge this gap. Furthermore, government agencies are working with patient support organisations, such as the Haemophilia Federation (India).

These bodies empower their patients by doing the following:

• Providing the latest information on the available schemes
• Helping them to go through the documentation and registration process
• Advocating for proper care at both the state and national levels.

While these measures are helpful, they are limited and variable by region, making private health insurance essential for complete assistance.

Why Choose Star Health Insurance for Haemophilia Coverage?

If you’re looking into private health insurance, Star Health provides inclusive and comprehensive health insurance that meets the needs of specialised medical conditions, such as haemophilia or other rare conditions.

The reasons why Star Health Insurance is a sensible choice are given below.

1. Wide Network of Cashless Hospitals : Whether emergency care or planned interventions, get cashless treatment access to 14,000+ network hospitals across India.
2. Daycare Procedures Covered : Includes a wide range of daycare treatments, including blood transfusions and infusions.
3. Affordable Premiums with High Sum Insured : For long-term conditions, get higher coverage at competitive premiums.
4. Lifetime Policy Renewal : Enjoy coverage for the long term, as Star Health provides you with lifetime renewal options.
5. No Co-payment on Several Plans : Full claim payouts without the co-payment clause are a huge advantage for chronic care that many Star Health policies provide.
6. Excellent Claim Settlement Record : Star Health has a superb track record of processing 90% of its cashless claims within 2 hours, which can be highly beneficial during emergencies.

When selecting health insurance, be very attentive to the terms, conditions, and exceptions, and opt for a plan that aligns with your haemophilia treatment needs.

If you are looking for a policy that checks all the boxes, check out the Star Special Care Gold plan.