In recent years, the landscape of mental health has been changing in India with the rise in mental health awareness. People in India are now aware of and, more importantly, willing to seek help for mental health issues. This has led to increased demand for online therapy services. However, a common question is whether insurance covers online therapy in India. The answer to this question is a complicated one. Let’s explore it in this article
The Need For Mental Health Coverage In India
Mental health has always been a huge challenge in India. A recent report published by “The Economic Times’ suggests that almost 60-70 million people in India suffer from common mental health disorders. The same report also suggests almost 1 in 5 people in India suffer from some form of mental illness or symptoms. Additionally, financial barriers are one of the main reasons why people avoid seeking help at the right time. Thus, it is crucial to cover mental health in insurance policies so that people have the options and means to seek help.
Insurance Coverage And Mental Health in India
For the longest time, health insurance plans in India were only focused on physical health issues. However, there has been a positive change in recent years, particularly after the Mental Healthcare Act of 2017. This act makes it compulsory for every health insurance provider to add mental health coverage to their insurance plans. Apart from that, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) has also mandated all insurance companies to prepare specific insurance plans dedicated to mental health and mental illness coverage.
What Do Insurance Plans Cover?
Most insurance policies in India will cover the following expenses for mental health issues:
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- The insurance policy will cover treatments for all major mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, psychosis, and schizophrenia
- Hospitalization and outpatient treatment
- Some plans may cover the costs of medications
- Some plans cover costs for counselling and psychotherapy as well
The Challenges of Mental Health Coverage in India
While some plans may provide cover for mental health issues, there are many challenges related to mental health coverage in India. They are
- The coverage for mental health services depends on specific plans. For instance, some plans may provide coverage only for hospitalization, while others may provide coverage for both inpatient and outpatient services.
- Some plans may provide coverage only for medication, while others may provide coverage for both therapy and medications
- Additionally, policies also have a waiting period for mental health coverage. The waiting period is a specific amount of time a person has to wait before they can access the benefits of their insurance.
- A few policies also have set limits on the amount they can allot for mental health coverage
- Not all mental health professionals will accept insurance plans.
Thus, there are a lot of complexities involved when it comes to mental health coverage in India
How To Know If Your Policy Covers Online Therapy Charges?
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Read The Policy Documents
Carefully read the policy documents, including the section on mental health coverage, to understand if the plan provides coverage for online therapy.
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Contact The Insurance Provider
Reach out to the insurance provider directly to inquire about coverage specifics for mental health services, including online therapy.
Conclusion:
The answer to whether insurance covers online therapy in India is a complex one as it depends on various factors, such as the insurance provider, policy type, coverage of policies and mental health professionals as well. Thus, it is advisable to read policy documents and reach out directly to insurance providers to know if a plan covers online therapy.
References:
- Does Health Insurance Cover Psychological Disorders? (n.d.). Policybazaar. Retrieved March 27, 2024, from https://www.policybazaar.com/health-insurance/individual-health-insurance/articles/does-health-insurance-cover-psychological-disorders/
- Does your insurance cover mental therapy? (n.d.). Care Health Insurance. Retrieved March 27, 2024, from https://www.careinsurance.com/blog/health-insurance-articles/does-my-insurance-cover-therapy
- Dubey, N. (2021, August 12). Is treatment for mental health covered by insurance policies? Mint. https://www.livemint.com/money/personal-finance/is-treatment-for-mental-health-covered-by-insurance-policies-11628709796684.html
- How Much of Mental Health is Covered In Health Insurance? ManipalCigna. (n.d.). Retrieved March 27, 2024, from https://www.manipalcigna.com/blog/mental-health-covered-in-health-insurance
- Jain, D. R. (2023, October 10). World Mental Health Day: 60-70 mn people in India suffer from common mental disorders; stigmatisation & financial barriers prevent timely treatment. The Economic Times. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/world-mental-health-day-60-70-mn-people-in-india-suffer-from-common-mental-disorders-stigmatisation-financial-barriers-prevent-timely-treatment/articleshow/104289268.cms?from=mdr
- Mental Illness Coverage—How Much Is Covered In Health Insurance? (n.d.). PolicyX. Retrieved March 27, 2024, from https://www.policyx.com/health-insurance/articles/mental-illness-covered-in-a-health-insurance/
