Health Insurance for Autoimmune diseases 

Outline on Autoimmune diseases

When the body detects foreign substances (antigens), the immune system works to identify and eliminate them. Your immune system can reveal that the germs aren’t part of you, so it destroys them. If you suffer from an Autoimmune disease, your immune system attacks the healthy cells of your organs and tissues by mistake.

There are over 80 different Autoimmune diseases. They can have an impact on almost any part of your body. Alopecia areata is an Autoimmune skin disease that causes hair loss. Autoimmune Hepatitis attacks your liver. In Type 1 Diabetes, the immune system attacks the pancreas. And in Rheumatoid Arthritis, the immune system can attack many parts of the body, say your joints, lungs and eyes.

List of Autoimmune diseases

Here is the list of most common Autoimmune diseases diagnosed among people in India:

• Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
• Type 1 Diabetes
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Addison’s Disease
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease
• Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
• Psoriatic/Psoriasis Arthritis
• Graves’ Disease
• Celiac Disease
• Sjogren’s Syndrome
• Pernicious Anemia
• Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
• Autoimmune Vasculitis
• Myasthenia Gravis
• Sarcoidosis
• Scleroderma
• Crohn’s Disease

What causes Autoimmune diseases?

Not sure why Autoimmune diseases occur. But you can’t catch them from others.

Autoimmune disorders frequently run in families; you may be predisposed to the disease due to particular genes inherited from your family. Certain chemicals, viruses and other environmental factors may also contribute to an autoimmune illness. Furthermore, if you have one Autoimmune disorder, you are more likely to develop another.

Who is at risk for Autoimmune diseases?

Autoimmune illnesses are notably more common in women than in men. According to the National Health Portal of India, women make up roughly 75 percent of those who suffer from Autoimmune illnesses.

Moreover, Autoimmune illnesses are more common in young adults and middle-aged persons. A family history of Autoimmune illnesses puts people at risk. People who were exposed to bacterial and viral infections, as well as medications and metals, may develop Autoimmune disorders.

What are the symptoms of Autoimmune diseases?

The symptoms of an Autoimmune disorder differ depending on which part of your body is affected. Many Autoimmune diseases have similar early symptoms, such as:

• Fatigue
• Achy muscles
• Swelling and redness
• Low-grade fever
• Trouble concentrating
• Numbness and tingling in the hands and feet
• Hair loss
• Skin rashes

What are the treatments and diagnoses available for Autoimmune diseases?

Unfortunately, most of the Autoimmune diseases are incurable. The medication prescribed by the doctor can only control the immune system’s hyperactive reaction. Doctors frequently struggle to diagnose Autoimmune diseases. As a result, getting a diagnosis and treatment can take a long time and several visits to various types of doctors.

Is Autoimmune disease covered in Health Insurance?

An autoimmune disease is a lifelong medical condition that cannot be cured. The disease can be managed effectively with modern medications and treatment to reduce its effect on the diagnosed person’s daily life. But spending on frequent diagnosis and treatment may end up in a financial emergency. Health Insurance policies that cover Autoimmune diseases can aid policyholders in reducing their financial burden and getting the adequate care they need.

A Health Insurance policy for Autoimmune diseases covers expenses of hospitalisation, Out Patient therapy, day care treatments, diagnostic test fees and road ambulance charges and much more.

Most of the insurers cover the disease under the Critical illness plan on the first diagnosis of the ailment and pay out a lump sum amount. Hence, it is important to review the types of Autoimmune disorders as well as the coverage benefits before purchasing a Health Insurance policy.

Star Health Insurance offers Star Critical Illness Multi pay Insurance Policy which covers Autoimmune disorders such as Systemic Lupus Erythematous, Multiple Sclerosis and other conditions related to Cancer, the brain and nervous system, major organ diseases and other conditions.

This is covered only after 90 days of commencement of cover in the policy. The insured person should have survived up to 15 days from the date of diagnosis of such a major disease. For complete information on the policy, read the policy clause.

Conclusion

Health Insurance can protect you against the financial implications of a wide range of health-related expenses, from minor illnesses to critical diseases. If you have an Autoimmune disorder, then opting for a Health insurance policy would be a smart move. Make sure you choose the right health plan and stay covered against such medical problems.