According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the “swine flu” pandemic, also known as H1N1, killed between 151,700 and 575,400 people worldwide in 2009 and 2010. H1N1, also known as A/H1N1, is a respiratory condition caused by the H1N1 virus. It is a hybrid of four influenza A virus strains: one that’s endemic to birds, one that’s endemic to humans, and two that’s endemic to pigs.
Today, while swine flu may not be as scary as it seemed back then, it is still vital to protect oneself from getting it. Vaccines have been developed to protect individuals against the H1N1 strain of swine flu. To fight against this HINI swine flu, different health insurance companies have come up with health policies that give coverage against this contagious disease.
How Much Does The Treatment of H1N1 Swine Flu Cost in India?
The H1N1 influenza, though self-limiting in many and treatable in most cases, has left some families with huge monetary repercussions. People have paid staggering amounts, ranging from Rs 15 lakh to Rs 50 lakh, sums that are usually associated with complex cancer and cardiac surgeries or liver and heart transplants but rarely with treating flu. The average hospital cost for the treatment of swine flu is nearly Rs. 1 lakh to Rs.2 lakhs. However, some states in India have fixed the price for the diagnostic test, such as Rs. 5000 in Mumbai and Rs. 2500 in Hyderabad. It varies from one state to another. This price is only for the diagnostic test, the treatment cost is charged separately on the basis of the hospital, the condition of the patient, and the severity of the flu.
Does Health Insurance Cover H1N1 Swine Flu?
In 2009 and 2010, swine flu took the form of an epidemic, and many people lost their lives due to this contagious ailment, the government took various measures to stop the spread of the disease. At the same time, to battle against this flu, many insurance companies came up with separate insurance products just to protect the customers from the flu. Now, almost all the reputed health insurance companies of India have included this ailment in their comprehensive health insurance plan. The health insurance market is flooded with insurers that offer coverage against the expenses of H1N1 swine flu treatments.
What Are The Benefits of Health Insurance for H1N1 Swine Flu?
The following are the important mentions-
Cost-effective:
Getting treated at a top healthcare facility is costly. People find it challenging to manage their finances when a family member gets diagnosed with the H1N1 swine flu. In such situations, people dip into their savings to fund treatments. However, the smart thing to do is to take a health insurance plan – this will help you to secure your finances and health at the same time.
Inflation Rate:
The rate at which medical costs are rising makes it necessary to have health insurance. In India itself, this rate is expected to rise at double the inflation rate. With a fixed benefit health insurance cover, you can effectively fight swine flu.
Treatment At a Facility of Your Choice:
With proper health insurance, you can get treated anywhere in India and the world if you are diagnosed with swine flu. If you have the right amount of health coverage, you do not need to compromise with treatment.
Other Expenses of The Hospital:
The cost of the medicine for swine flu is nothing as usual. The government provides it free of cost. But there are other charges such as diagnostic tests, pre and post-hospitalization expenses, doctor’s fees, etc. These all are covered by the health insurance plan if it has the coverage for swine flu.
Tax benefits – Fixed benefit health insurance plans offer tax benefits. If you pay the premium, you can avail a deduction of up to Rs. 25,000 from your taxable income on the health insurance premiums paid. This amount of benefit is available under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act if your age is less than 60 years. If you and your family members are all more than 60 years old, the maximum deduction available is Rs. 50,000. The same benefit is applicable for premiums that you pay for your parents.
Conclusion
Apart from weakening the immune system, swine flu also causes advanced health complications in individuals. These complications occur when the individual is already suffering from a pre-existing condition, which could be diabetes, asthma, emphysema, heart disease, or any other chronic illness. Complications can also be more severe in pregnant women, children who are less than five years old, senior citizens with health issues, and so on.
Treatment for swine flu is prohibitively costly. It normally necessitates a longer stay in the hospital. Swine flu can result in death if adequate care and prompt treatment are not provided. To combat swine flu, it is important to have adequate health insurance coverage. When planning yourself, leave no stone unturned.
