Mumbaikars least bothered about health insurance compared to other Indian cities

MUMBAI: Mumbai followed by Delhi is leading the charts when it comes to growing no of Covid-19 cases in India, however it is people in Bengaaluru and Chennai who are more aware about overall health and well-being, reveals the “Max Bupa Health Insurance Covid survey” that was conducted recently to analyze the impact of novel coronavirus disease on the behavioural patterns of people towards health insurance (HI). Despite growing no of cases in the country, a high number of Hyderabad (59%) and Mumbai (50%) respondents did not make an inquiry about whether the treatment cost of coronavirus is covered in Health Insurance (HI) policies. Bangalore (66%) has been most proactive and conscious in making an enquiry about the same, closely followed by Delhi (65%) and Chennai (64%).

People in Bangalore were more concerned about their health and well-being as 40%respondents inquired about HI when the news of coronavirus first emerged. In Mumbai, 46% of respondents inquired only when coronavirus was detected in India. Similarly, 62% of Hyderabad respondents inquired only after WHO declared coronavirus as a pandemic, the survey reveals. Digitally around 1700 respondents from across 11 cities (Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai, Lucknow, Jaipur, Pune, Patna, Chandigarh) took part in the survey conducted during pre and during the Covid-19 period.

"The knowledge about health insurance covering Coronavirus treatment was lowest in Mumbai. Despite high coronavirus cases, 43% of respondents in Mumbai were not sure if treatment cost of coronavirus is covered by HI policy. Also, only 34% people in Mumbai (lowest among the cities) were aware if HI covers Coronavirus treatment. Bangalore and Chennai respondents came across as highly aware about their HI benefits with 68% respondents each saying they were aware of coronavirus being covered under HI," survey stated further.

As per survey high number of Mumbai (38%) and Hyderabad (34%) respondents are not aware if their current policy or the policy they are planning to buy covers treatment cost of coronavirus. "A lower level of willingness is noticed among Delhi(31%) and Mumbai (25%)respondents to pay an additional amount for coronavirus coverage. Bangalore(58%) and Chennai(53%) most proactive and showed a high possibility of paying an additional amount to get cover for coronavirus treatment. While 54% respondents in Bangalore want to immediately buy HI to cover coronavirus treatment, in Mumbai,41% want to buy HI within next month," it adds.

"Hyderabad respondents realise the importance of HI more strongly than other markets at 84%. Around 50% Mumbai respondents cited health insurance as important to safeguard against financial losses due to coronavirus. The worry of family members contracting coronavirus is highest among Mumbai respondents at 71%. Risk of being jobless is highest amongst Delhi respondents at 54%, followed by Chennai at 53%.". "Increased awareness is translating into prioritized purchase of health insurance as people want to safeguard not just their own, but also their families. Hence, when most sectors are witnessing a slowdown, we at Max Bupa and the Health Insurance industry as a whole, are seeing growth,” said Krishnan Ramachandran, MD and CEO, Max Bupa Health Insurance.

Source: The Times of India