Health Insurance

Exclusive

Wellness Benefits

24*7 Claims

Support

Tax Savings

u/s 80D

Zero Paperwork Online Process

Pin Code

+91 Enter Mobile Number

Try agian later

I agree to the Terms & Conditions

Port My Policy

Download Policy

(Incl 18% GST)

Health Insurance that Covers Mental Health

Is Mental Health covered by Insurance?

Mental Illness is a topic that has always been pushed behind closed doors. There has been a huge stigma around mental health and wellness. Thank god, now that times are changing people have been more open to talk about mental health and take it as seriously as a physical illness. This same change has been brought about in the insurance space too.

On 16^th August, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) asked insurance companies to make provisions to cover mental illness. It was a welcome step as mental health has a large scope, especially in India. So mental health insurance is for real now and will not be excluded from your health insurance anymore.

Team Digit

As per the National Mental Health Survey of India for FY16 conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, nearly 15% of Indian adults need treatment for one or more mental health issues.

Things to know about Mental Health Insurance

What does mental health insurance cover?

Mental health insurance covers any expenses incurred if anyone has to be hospitalized under in-patient care due to any mental illness. It includes diagnostics, medications, treatment costs, room rent road ambulance charges etc.

Who should take mental health insurance?

Mental health insurance coverage is relevant for anyone with a family history or any traumatic experience, where it is likely for the person to acquire such a disease. It is also useful for anyone suffering from a post-accident trauma or trauma due to losing a loved one. With the current scenario of stressful lifestyle and living conditions, actually everyone is vulnerable to mental illness.

What is the minimum time a mental illness patient must be hospitalised to claim?

The minimum time of hospitalization for a mental illness patient has to be 24 hours for a person to claim the expenses in their health insurance.

Are consultations and counselling covered under the mental health insurance coverage?

Very few insurers cover consultations and counselling for mental illness under the OPD benefit. But what needs to be kept in mind is, you should check first if you are plan has the option for both OPD benefit and mental illness benefit, in your health insurance policy.

Is there a waiting period for mental health insurance?

Like all other pre-existing conditions, mental illness benefit also has a waiting period that needs to be borne by the insurer. The waiting period for mental illness benefit with most insurers is 2 years. So, if you have bought a health insurance today, then you will have to wait for 2 years before you can claim for the expenses incurred due to mental illness. Hence, it is advisable to start early and take this benefit with your first policy. So, all your waiting periods are over right when you need it.

So, what are the diseases that fall under the Mental Illness list?

These are some of the known diseases that fall in the list of mental illness

What is not covered under mental health insurance?

Mental health insurance covers expenses only when the patient has to be hospitalized. Very few insurers cover expenses for out-patient care like consultations. Any mental illness induced due to drug or alcohol abuse will not be covered.

Also, if there’s history of recurring mental condition, the claim might not be accepted.

Mental health insurance is a fresh take at how mental illness has been looked at since time immemorial. It’s time to dig in deep if you feel your loved ones are suffering from any mental illness. It’s time we talk about it to ensure they get help at the right time!

Read: Find out what is covered in Health Insurance for COVID 19

More articles related to Health Insurance

Deductible in Health Insurance

Difference between Family Floater and Individual Health Insurance

Cashless Health Insurance

Sum Insured in Health Insurance

Daily Hospital Cash Benefit

Types of Health Insurance

Pre-existing Disease Cover

What is Copay in Health Insurance

Cancer Insurance Cover

TPA in Health Insurance

Difference between Mediclaim Policy and Health Insurance

Health Insurance Premium Calculator

Difference between Term Insurance and Health Insurance

Difference between Life Insurance and Health Insurance

Waiting Period in Health Insurance

What is Health Insurance

Health Insurance Portability

Best Health Insurance Policy in India

Day Care Procedures in Health Insurance

No Room Rent Capping in Health Insurance

Health Insurance for Diabetes Patients

Health Insurance covering Cataract Surgery

Health Insurance with Free Annual Checkup

Domiciliary Hospitalization in Health Insurance

Government Health Insurance Schemes

Sub-Limit in Health Insurance Policy

Cooling-off Period in Health Insurance

Loading in Health Insurance

Pre and Post Hospitalization Expenses in Health Insurance

GMC and GPA Policies in Health Insurance

Indemnity Health Insurance

Health Insurance for Disabled Persons

Difference Between Waiting Period and Survival Period

Types of Health Insurance Claims

Health Tips & Guides

Nutrition Tips & Guides

Human Wellbeing

Guides about different Diseases

Health Insurance Tips

Health Insurance for Smokers

Comprehensive Health Insurance

Buy Health Insurance on EMI

Nominee in Health Insurance

Grace Period in Health Insurance

Health Insurance for Parents of NRIs

Difference between Moratorium and Full Medical Underwriting

Exclusions in Health Insurance

Non - Medical Expenses in Health Insurance

Road Ambulance Cover

Consumable Cover in Health Insurance

Air Ambulance Cover

What Is Reimbursement Claim ?

Health Insurance Tax Benefits for Senior Citizens

Why Separate Health Insurance for your Parents?

Health Insurance After Retirement

Health Insurance for Pre-Retirees

Health Insurance for Freelancers and Self-Employed

Health Insurance for Government Employees

Why Health Insurance is Important for Mothers?

Difference Between Inpatient and Outpatient Hospitalisation

What is Restoration Benefit?

Cumulative Bonus in Health Insurance

Terminal vs Critical Illness

Health Insurance Myths

How to Choose the Right Sum Insured

Mental Health Insurance

Infertility Treatment Cover

Bariatric Surgery Cover

What is Organ Transplant Cover

AYUSH Benefit in Health Insurance

Compare Health Insurance

Maternity Health Insurance

Zone Based Health Insurance

Copay vs Coinsurance vs Deductible

Health Insurance Add-Ons

Health Insurance Benefits

Dental Health Insurance

Increase in Health Premium on Renewal

Fixed and Indemnity Health Insurance

Maternity Benefit without Waiting Period

Download Health Insurance Policy Wordings

Click here for Policy wordings | Digit Health Care plus policy - Benefit illustration

Disclaimer #1: *Customer can choose options at the time of availing insurance. Premium amount may vary accordingly. Insured is required to disclose any pre-existing condition or on going treatment before policy issuance in the proposal form.

Disclaimer #2: This information is added only for informative purposes and collected from different sources across the Internet. Digit Insurance is not promoting or recommending anything here. Please verify the information before making any decisions.

Get 10+ Exclusive Features only on Digit App

Install

Get 10+ Exclusive Features only on Digit App