Is Treatment for Foodborne Illnesses Covered?

Foodborne illnesses arise when a person eats spoiled food or drinks polluted water. They usually cause symptoms such as stomach-aches, vomiting, diarrhoea, fever and exhaustion. If the person is critical, hospitalisation can be required. Several people in India question whether health insurance can cover the costs arising from treatment for foodborne illnesses.

What are Foodborne Illnesses?

Foodborne illnesses are the result of a disease caused by bacteria, viruses or parasites in food. These include food poisoning, typhoid, as well as common stomach infections developed due to unhygienic food habits.

They can impact adults and children alike. While mild cases can be handled at home, some severe cases may lead to hospitalisation and require immediate medical attention.

Does Health Insurance Cover Foodborne Illnesses?

Yes, the health insurance policies in India offer cover for the treatment of foodborne diseases when hospitalisation is required. However, the cover is subject to the policy type and the nature of the illness.

A health insurer may pay the specified medical bills for treatment, tests and hospitalisation suggested by a doctor.

What Expenses are Usually Covered?

Hospitalisation Costs

When an individual gets severely infected by the disease, room bills, nursing expenses, medicines and doctor consultation fees are covered in the hospital during hospitalisation.

Diagnostic Tests

Tests like blood tests, stool tests and scans can also be covered in policies to identify the infections.

Daycare Treatments

Many insurers today also cover minor foodborne infections, which may require short treatment without hospitalisation.

Pre and Post-Hospitalisation Expenses

Policies commonly offer cover for pre- and post-hospitalisation charges such as post-hospitalisation consultation, medicines, etc.

What is Usually Not Covered?

Many instances of very minor food poisoning, which may require home treatment only, without hospitalisation, may not be covered. Some insurers may not cover the expenses for medications obtained without a prescription.

Similarly, preventive supplements may also be excluded from the cover. Some plans might have exclusion clauses or waiting periods depending on the condition. So it's recommended to read the clauses thoroughly before locking any coverage.

How to Choose the Right Health Insurance Plan?

Check Inclusions Carefully

Go through the policy document thoroughly and know which illnesses are included and covered by the insurance plan.

Look for Cashless Hospitals

Choose a plan with a wide network of cashless hospitals in case of an emergency.

Compare Waiting Periods

Check for lower waiting periods so that your medical coverage is readily available in times of need.

Choose Adequate Coverage

In India, healthcare expenses can escalate quickly in emergencies. A higher sum insured will ensure better coverage for the expenses.

Final Thought

Foodborne illnesses may lead to an unanticipated medical expense due to the requirement for hospitalisation. Most of the health insurance plans cover costs that arise from foodborne illnesses, like hospitalisation costs, medical tests, and others.

A thorough reading of the policy document and comparison with other plans is highly suggested and can be helpful for selecting the right policy for oneself.