5 reasons why you must consider both mental and physical health cover
Physical illnesses may have tangible and evident symptoms, but most mental concerns go unnoticed or ignored.
By Ruchika Malhan Varma, Chief Marketing Officer, Future Generali India Insurance
Recent years have highlighted the importance of overall health. COVID-19
and its aftermath created mayhem across the globe. Several people
struggled with physical ailments, while others suffered mentally.
Physical illnesses may have tangible and evident symptoms, but most
mental concerns go unnoticed or ignored.
It is time that we give equal importance and take required actions to
prevent issues related to mental wellness as well. There are so many
factors to influence our mental health. While we may not be able to
avoid everything, but we can certainly refrain from mental health
problems with the right approach and with basic steps such as having a
proper sleeping schedule, eating a well-balanced diet, staying active,
being mindful and engaging with family and friends. Also, we should work
towards shaping a supportive society that is well aware with proper
knowledge about mental well-being. This further makes the process of
coping with mental illness less strenuous.
Having said so, unfortunately in many cases, the stigma around mental
health and the high costs of treatments impact access to quality
healthcare. In such cases a comprehensive health insurance policy can
help you cover the expenses of physical and mental health issues and
provide you with a wide-ranging financial safety net.
If you are thinking of buying health insurance, here are some
reasons to consider a health plan that covers both physical and mental
health ailments:
1. Covers mental health sessions with a medical practitioner
Mental health treatments, such as therapy and medical counselling, can
be long-term treatment plans. They can go on for months and sometimes
years. The average costs of therapy per session can range from Rs. 800
to Rs. 4,000, depending on the nature and severity of the ailment. In
addition, patients may need one or more counselling sessions per week.
It is also challenging to find a good medical practitioner. Mental
health treatments require time and patience. You may also consult many
professionals before finding a suitable match. These costs can quickly
add up to a considerable amount and interfere with your monthly budget
and future financial goals. However, a comprehensive health insurance
plan can be used to pay for counselling, whether online or in person.
This helps you get help as and when you require it, without the stress
of any financial burden.
2. Offers a cushion against increasing medical expenses
Besides the prevailing costs of mental health treatment, medical
inflation is another critical problem to think about. Inflation has been
high in recent years due to the COVID-19 induced financial upheaval.
Its impact on the healthcare sector has been significant. Purchasing a
comprehensive health plan that covers mental illnesses can be a simple
way to tackle inflation. No matter the rise in costs, the health plan
can offer a financial cushion to mental health patients and facilitate
seamless access to medical help whenever needed.
3. Provides preventive measures
The ignorance of mental health triggers is one of the most significant
problems in today’s times. However, a comprehensive health insurance
policy offers preventive health check-ups like annual expert wellness
assessments, stress and happiness index scores, as well as events and
wellness-related content to help you monitor your health and address the
triggers at the right time. Preventive tests help in diagnosing an
illness early. So, the treatment can be started at the right time. This
eliminates a bigger financial dent and inconvenience at a later stage.
4. Covers physical health issues
Apart from mental issues, a comprehensive health insurance plan should
cover physical health issues – not just hospitalisation but also OPD and
wellness. These are usually not covered under a general insurance plan
but can be recurring issues. A comprehensive health plan also offers
health risk assessment tests, lifestyle disease monitoring, and fitness
tracking to help you track your health status and take proactive
measures to stay fit.5. Peace of Mind
Owning health insurance that covers both physical and mental disease for
your loved ones and you will provide you with enormous peace of mind.
You don’t have to be concerned about having adequate funds in case of a
medical emergency.
To be completely healthy and fit, it is essential to address your mental
and physical health. Physical health may be easier to check with food,
nutrition, and exercise, but mental health can often be overlooked.
Purchasing a comprehensive health plan can be a small yet effective way
to focus on your overall health and well-being and give it the
precedence it requires. Moreover, a comprehensive health plan can be
used to protect the entire family, as most of the insurers provide
lifelong renewals. So you can use it for yourself and your loved ones.
