India’s Insurance regulator has instructed all general and health insurers to offer specialized cover for persons with disabilities (PWD), HIV/AIDS patients, and those suffering from mental illness.
A circular dated 27 February 2023 mandates insurers to have a board-approved underwriting policy so that the above-mentioned categories of people are not denied insurance access on account of the above-stated disabilities and/or illnesses.
All general and standalone health insurers must launch and offer such products immediately. Insurers may determine the price of the product in compliance with health insurance regulations, for a renewable policy tenure of 1 year.
This is in response to a Delhi High Court hearing in December 2022 on the plight of affected people to advise insurers about designing and offering insurance products for persons suffering from disabilities, HIV/AIDS, mental illnesses, as well as for transgender people, and submit a status report before 17 March 2023.