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Making Health Insurance Accessible for People with Disabilities
In a significant effort to improve health insurance for disabled individuals, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has joined forces with the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP) and the Insurance Regulatory Development Authority of India (IRDAI). This collaborative initiative aims to bring together insurance companies and stakeholders to discuss and shape the future of insurance for people with disabilities. The goal is to develop specialized insurance products that cater to the needs of disabled individuals, aligning India with countries that have well-established insurance offerings for this group.
The NHRC and disability rights groups, in partnership with the IRDAI, organized a meeting with various insurance companies to address the challenges faced by people with disabilities when it comes to insurance. Participants unanimously agreed on the importance of designing unique insurance products for disabled individuals, similar to the standardized offerings available in developed nations. The meeting also focused on establishing mechanisms to address concerns and grievances specific to this community.
Dr. DM Mulay from NHRC emphasized the urgency of providing social and financial empowerment to disabled individuals, a sentiment echoed by other dignitaries. Despite the principles of equality and non-discrimination outlined in the RPWD Act 2016, disabled people in India often encounter discrimination in the realm of health insurance. Existing gaps include denial of coverage, inconsistent testing requirements, and limited support for their unique needs.
Arman Ali, Executive Director of NCPEDP, pointed out that regulations are needed to ensure affordable and comprehensive access to assistive products and services. This collaborative effort between the government, IRDAI, insurance companies, and the disability sector aims to bridge these gaps and fulfill the needs of disabled individuals.
Stakeholders emphasized the need for collective action and solutions tailored to the diverse challenges faced by disabled individuals. Pankaj Tewari from IRDAI expressed commitment to enhancing the insurance landscape in India.
Following the Delhi High Court’s guidelines in December 2022, IRDAI mandated insurers to provide annual health coverage to people with disabilities, HIV-positive individuals, and those with mental disabilities. However, certain insurance companies still limit coverage to those with specific disabilities, which goes against legal regulations. Moreover, their websites, apps, and claims processes do not adhere to accessibility standards set by the RPWD Act.
Insurance policies also fall short of adequately covering expenses related to assistive technologies, such as purchasing, maintaining, repairing, or replacing them. This lack of comprehensive coverage highlights the gaps in disability inclusion within the healthcare system.
The collaborative effort’s round table discussions focused on identifying the challenges faced by disabled individuals in accessing insurance and addressing the concerns of insurance companies when it comes to offering coverage to this group. The aim is to create a more inclusive insurance landscape that caters to the unique needs of disabled individuals in India.
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