Page 15 - The Insurance Times August 2025

lured by treatment costs that are 50- related diseases have soared across India's Elderly, New Study
70 % lower than in many Western coun- India, rising at a 34 % compound an-
tries, cultural familiarity, and an ex- nual growth rate (CAGR) between Warns
panding network of internationally ac- 2020 and 2024, according to new data A new nationwide study, highlighted
credited hospitals. released by ManipalCigna Health Insur- by Tripura Star News, reveals that
ance. Dengue tops the chart: claims India's senior citizens remain gravely
A parallel trend is the marked rise in
health-insurance adoption among linked to the mosquito-borne infection under-insured despite rising life expect-
NRIs. Insurers report a double-digit have climbed an alarming 66 % CAGR ancies and soaring medical costs.
jump in policies bought by overseas in the same period, dwarfing increases Fewer than 30 % of people aged 60 +
Indians, with many opting for high- for malaria and viral fevers. hold any active health-insurance policy,
sum-insured plans that cover surgery, Regional disparities are stark. South and only 12 % enjoy coverage ad-
rehabilitation, and post-operative care India-where heavier rainfall and flood- equate to meet the average Rs.
in India. Claims data show a growing ing are common-has become a 35,000-Rs. 40,000 cost of a single hos-
share originating from tier-II and tier- hotspot, with monsoon-illness claims
pital stay.
III cities as private hospitals in these growing 36 % annually. By contrast,
regions upgrade facilities to match North India recorded an 8 % decline. Key barriers include high entry-age
metro standards. Children up to 17 years of age account premiums, lengthy waiting periods for
Analysts expect the combined effect of for 31 % of all claims, underscoring pre-existing ailments, mandatory co-
affordable care and wider insurance their heightened vulnerability, while pays of up to 30 %, and limited outpa-
coverage to keep India among the men make up 57 % of cases. tient benefits. Rural seniors are hit
world's top medical-tourism hubs over ManipalCigna says the findings high- hardest: nearly three-quarters rely on
the next decade. light the need for better vector-control savings or family loans to fund treat-
measures and wider health-insurance ment, often delaying care until condi-
Dengue Claims Jump 66 % coverage, especially in smaller towns tions worsen.
where private hospitals are rapidly
in 5 Years as Monsoon Ill- expanding. Researchers urge insurers to launch
nesses Surge, Finds low-premium, no-co-pay plans tailored
to chronic-disease management, and
ManipalCigna Critical Gaps Persist in call on policymakers to expand subsi-
Health-insurance claims for monsoon- Health Insurance for dies under flagship schemes such as

Ayushman Bharat. Without urgent re-
NRIs Drive 150 % Surge in Health-Insurance Pur- form, the study warns, millions of eld-

chases as They Return to India for Treatment: erly Indians risk "medical impoverish-
ment" and declining quality of life as
Policybazaar Report
healthcare inflation outpaces pension
A new study from Policybazaar for Business reveals a dramatic 150 % jump
growth.
in health-insurance policies bought by Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) over the
past three years. The spike coincides with a sharp rise in medical-tourism
traffic, as overseas Indians increasingly choose Indian hospitals for elective Join
and critical procedures that cost up to 70 % less than in the US or UK.
Online Certificate
The report shows that cardiac, orthopedic, oncology and fertility treatments
account for the bulk of claims, with average sums insured exceeding Rs. 50 Course on
lakh. Most policy buyers are aged 45-60 and reside in the US, UAE, UK and Re-Insurance
Singapore. Preferred treatment hubs include Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru
and Hyderabad, where internationally accredited hospitals offer concierge Management
services and cashless claim processing.
Policybazaar attributes the trend to better tele-consultation options, sim- For details please visit
plified KYC for NRIs and the rupee's favourable exchange rate, predicting www.smartonlinecourse.co.in
continued double-digit growth in NRI health-insurance penetration.

14 August 2025 The Insurance Times