In a move that would further bolster the prospects of the Indian traditional medicines which are being increasingly used for critical illnesses including those related to tumors and heart diseases, the Insurance Regulatory & Development Authority (IRDA) has issued a notification for the inclusion of the non-allopathic system in the mediclaim insurance policy.
The alternate medicine system in the country forms an important part in the Government’s health flagship programme, National Rural Health Programme (NRHM).
Alternative treatments are referred to as Ayush (Ayurveda, Unani, Sidha and Homeopathy).
However, as per the notification, insurance coverage will be provided only if non-allopathic treatments are taken in a Government hospital or in any institute recognised by government and or is accredited by Quality Council of India (QCI), National Accreditation Board on Health (NABH) or any other suitable institutions.
While several health insurance majors such as Apollo Munich, Reliance General Insurance and Bajaj Allianz are already providing cover for alternate treatment in a limited way, the IRDA’s recent notification is expected to encourage many others to follow suit.
Till now many private insurance companies have been reluctant in covering ayurvedic treatments as parameters of these treatments doesn’t match with the main stream medicines and diseases and they even do not have standard pricing. “It is a major development in the sector. Recently, WHO has also recognized the power of Yoga and Ayurveda and identified two national institutes at Delhi and Gujarat as its collaborating centres,” said Joint advisor, DC Katoch in the Ayush Department.
The department is now drafting specifications for ayurvedic treatment that can be reimbursed like any other treatment.
It is also setting standards for alternative medical hospitals so that it can be covered by private health insurers, he said.