When the cultural setup and general mindset do not try and match the technology and development, society becomes a mess of confusion. It doesn’t want to leave the development out but doesn’t want to change accordingly. This misalignment between people and time leads to a mismatched society.
This alienates society from some subjects, and mental health care is one of those subjects. People do not speak openly about mental health in India and many other countries. Because it is a topic swept under the carpet, mental health needs more awareness and openness.
Mental health insurance is just another effort to open up to the concept and take a step forward to do something about it. With science and technology, we have seen that mental illnesses have physical symptoms, and it doesn’t just affect how you think or function. It is a real illness and needs attention.
A health insurance policy that secures financial responsibility in case of a policyholder’s mental health emergency is a mental health care plan. To make it more convenient, the companies offer various facilities just like any other health insurance plan; for example, cashless health insurance is available with a mental health insurance policy, too.
Let us learn a bit more about this type of insurance policy.
Health Insurance for Mental Health
As we discussed above, the insurance policy that covers the financial responsibility of the mental health aspect of health care is a mental health insurance policy. The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) suggested that companies should consider adding policies that cover mental health issues, too.
In a country like India, this is a necessary step. It was the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown that pushed the decision ahead due to the visible distress and disturbance it created among the citizens. Since mental health is treated as a physical illness, IRDAI has made it mandatory for all insurance companies to include mental health insurance plans.
Mental Health Insurance Coverage
Why do we need it?
- We need insurance policies to cover mental health because scientists have proven that mental illnesses, like depression, schizophrenia, OCD, bipolar disorder, and more, affect the physical health of a person along with mental health.
- Humans are fragile, like any living being on the earth, and we need help. In case a person needs immediate mental health care, there should be funds ready to help her demand the necessary help. The patient or the family members shouldn’t have to run around searching for cash or liquidating investments.
- Every person has a right to quality health care, therapy, and medicines. Mental health insurance makes sure you will receive all of that without having to hassle a lot for the same.
What does mental health insurance cover?
- If a policyholder has to be hospitalised, the treatment, medical expenses, admission-related fees, ambulance fees, and every expense related to the illness are covered under this policy.
- If the person has to visit a therapist or psychologist regularly, the session fees come under the insurance coverage. But there is a condition! Many policies do not include this clause in their plans. Apart from this, the therapists also avoid being involved in the insurance company’s network for this purpose. They demand the entire payment from the patient. If in case the therapist is signed with a company, the company and the patient pay in decided proportions.
List of the mental illnesses that are covered under the insurance
- Depression
- Schizophrenia
- Bipolar Personality Disorder (BPD)
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Anxiety Disorders
- Stress
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Sleep Disorders (like sleep paralysis or insomnia)
- Addiction
- Autism Spectrum
- Psychological Stress and Disorders
Exclusions from the Coverage
- There are some issues that the insurance does not cover, though. For example, if the patient is not hospitalised, the insurance does not cover the medical expenses, mental retardation, and if the patient has a history of recurring mental illnesses. These are some exclusions stated in the clauses of mental health insurance policies.
- Consultation and counselling charges are also excluded from the health insurance plans. Since it is before any illness is detected, it is not covered under the policy.
Conclusion
As we have mentioned above, it is no news that mental health care is a necessity in today’s day and age. When people start accepting the fact that they are susceptible to mental health issues, only then will there be a change in the approach to looking at these illnesses.
You will have to be open about it and invest in a good policy for your future. By buying mental health insurance, you are offering yourself some peace of mind, now and in future, too. Be wise and insure your mental health NOW!
