Many people in India are waiting for an organ transplant. Sadly, many may never get the call saying an organ donor has been found. Several people pass away each day because there aren’t enough donor organs for all who wait for a transplant. It can be hard to think about passing away like this. It can be even harder to think about donating organs and tissue. When they give a portion of themselves to save another person’s life, organ donors save lives, yet they frequently struggle to obtain health insurance afterwards. Companies either refuse to give them coverage or offer it to them with several riders.*
An individual called Arun asserted that he applied to 8–10 insurance companies, but everyone rejected his request. Once the government insurance companies refused and rejected his application, he filed a complaint with IRDAI. Following that, a company offered insurance without the donated organ. The second corporation agreed when they got special clearance and resubmitted his case. After the two-year waiting period and countless phone calls and visits, he finally acquired a Rs. 5 lakh cover, which included his liver (as a pre-existing ailment). #
Recipients are also affected by the same problems. Another individual, Karan, is a heart recipient who underwent heart surgery in England. Until 2015, he was still a competitive football player and had a cover for some time. The same year, surgery was perfumed on him, and stents were put in. A month later, he was diagnosed as a high-risk patient after physicians discovered he had a weak heart. He had to get another procedure. Even though his hospital claimed they were unrelated, the insurance company failed and declined to pay when the hospital emailed them, stating that he had concealed his medical history. He spent Rs. 10 lakh and applied for medical insurance, but his requests were denied. He currently has no protection!
Mumbai-based software engineer Sujay traded kidneys with a patient to get a kidney for his wife. He had the transplant in June 2018 and will compete in multiple sports for India at the World Transplant Games.
Most health insurance policies have an inbuilt provision for organ donor transplants. Subject to limits and limitations, existing coverage will pay for the cost of a transplant. However, as per the complexity of the illness, a new one will emerge. Health insurance cannot cover you if it’s a major procedure like a kidney transplant. You must remember to renew health insurance on time for continuous coverage.
A health insurance calculator is a convenient online tool to check the coverage required based on your needs.
Insurance companies could be prejudiced against organ donors and receivers, who may experience complications after transplants. The finance ministry oversees the IRDAI. They could be asked to cease discriminating against organ donors and recipients. #
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