What Coverage Exists for Autoimmune Blood Diseases?

Autoimmune blood diseases are chronic health conditions that have a severe impact on the lifestyle and finances of an individual. Hence, if diagnosed with such a condition, it becomes imperative to get coverage to confidently navigate through its management. Read on to know what exactly these diseases are, the coverage available, and other essential details.

What are Autoimmune Blood Diseases?

Autoimmune blood diseases involve premature destruction of blood components, leading to bleeding issues, anaemia, or thrombosis. It occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly develops chemicals that attack the blood-clotting proteins, platelets, or healthy blood cells.

Some common examples of autoimmune blood disease include Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP), Autoimmune Haemolytic Anaemia (AIHA), and so on.

What Insurance Coverages are Available for Autoimmune Blood Diseases?

Usually, most of the standard comprehensive health insurance policies in India cover the cost of treatment for autoimmune blood diseases. Even people who have pre-existing lupus can enjoy certain benefits from their policies. However, if a policy does offer coverage for these conditions, they can purchase a separate critical illness or chronic disease rider.

To have a clear idea of what the policy coverages are, it becomes essential to go through them before their purchase. Some coverages include:

Consultation with Specialists

The policy covers the cost of consultations with specialists such as nephrologists, rheumatologists, dermatologists, etc., for efficient treatment.

Hospitalisation Costs

Policyholders can easily raise a claim for the costs incurred during their stay in the hospital due to complications or flare-ups of the autoimmune blood condition they are suffering from.

Diagnostic Tests

The expenses of diagnostic tests can be substantial to accurately detect the condition and decide upon the right treatment. Most policies cover the cost of tests like dsDNA, ANA, etc.

Medications

Coverages are available for the purchase of various immunosuppressive medications such as azathioprine, corticosteroids, and so on.

Various Daycare Procedures

Even most insurance providers approve claims for daycare procedures like biologic infusions, considering their effectiveness for autoimmune blood disease treatment.

Aside from the inclusions, it is also essential to understand the exclusions of a health insurance policy covering the treatment of autoimmune blood diseases. This will ensure minimal out-of-pocket expenses when treating these conditions. The exclusions include:

Experimental Treatment Costs

Policyholders cannot raise a claim if they are undergoing experimental treatment, off-label treatment or unproven alternative treatment of the disease.

Nutrient Supplement Expenses

Most policies do not cover the cost of nutrient supplements that the doctor did not prescribe as a treatment plan component for the condition.

Cosmetic Surgeries

Often, the cosmetic surgeries that the patients undergo to repair scars from the treatment are not included under the policy coverage.

Waiting Period Treatments

If a patient has a pre-existing autoimmune disease, they cannot raise a claim for the treatments that they undergo during the waiting period, as mentioned in the policy.

Final Thought

Nowadays, factors like urban pollution, changes in lifestyle, environmental conditions, and genetic predisposition have resulted in the rise of autoimmune blood disease in India. Hence, having the right policy is imperative for their effective and long-term management.