Page 50 - The Insurance Times November 2024

applies for, say hospitalisations due to suicide attempts, it The Cost of Tobacco Consumption
also applies to smoking and drinking that cause harm to the
A 2020 study from India shows that for every Rs 100 that is
policy- holder," says Shah.
received as excise duty from tobacco products, a sum of Rs
816 is imposed on society for its consumption. This can be
The Doctors' Dilemma in the form of direct costs such as the money spent on the
This assessment poses a challenge for Dr Chatterjee in treatment, transportation and living expenses incurred
arriving at the right diagnosis. "Insurance providers always during treatment, among others. And indirect costs such as
insist on a diagnosis. Sometimes we may treat persistent loss in productivity when a person misses work for treatment.
fever symptomatically without diagnosing what led to the "The highest impact of tobacco consumption is felt in poorer
fever. Insurance providers, however, always insist on a families that are more likely to pay out- of- pocket for
diagnosis," he says. This leads to a lot of back and forth treatments or at least the allied costs," says Rijo M John,
between his team and the insurance providers. "We have adjunct professor of economics at Rajagiri College of Social
to answer questions just to ensure that our patients actually Sciences.
get covered even after they have paid their premiums."
He argues that patients who have paid for coverage should
A Sympathetic View not be denied claims. "The insurance products are designed
Dr Sarin says that while consumption of alcohol or tobacco by companies, so they can choose to have higher premiums
may be a harmful pursuit, there has to be a sympathetic for those who consume tobacco. Having paid that, there
approach for those who have these habits. "It is an addiction should be no grounds for rejecting claims. Increasing
at the end of the day and they should be entitled to receive coverage for services such as de- addiction therapies,
treatment," he adds. He suggests a middle- of- the- road however, will not be effective," says John.
approach where insurance companies could charge higher
premiums for people who smoke or drink - because they are "For a person who is already paying a higher premium
at a higher risk of several diseases. "This will not only ensure because they are smokers, offering deaddiction services will
that they receive timely, appropriate treatment but also not help much. Once you purchase the policy, what is the
honesty in reporting their smoking or drinking habits. Right motivation for going for these services? People can kick their
now, people are worried that they will not be covered and habits only if they want to. And, that intention will come
hence do not want to give a proper history to their treating only when these services are a part of the routine check-
doctors," he says. ups or consultations," he adds. The Indian Express

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44 November 2024 The Insurance Times