New Delhi, Feb 7 (FN Agency) The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has transformed many sectors in India, and none has been as massively impacted as the health insurance sector, as per the health insurance experts. The experts believed the disruption, in a way, has allowed the insurers to be more flexible in terms of rolling out special health packages, for instance, home-based COVID-19 care. “In various stages of this pandemic caused by different variants, many medications were used out of the blue and they caused more harm than any good. So, in a way, that was very problematic” said Dr Srinivas Samavedam, Head of Critical Care & Medical Director, Virinchi Hospitals, Hyderabad on Monday, while participating in a special spotlight session ‘Evolving COVID-19 Treatment and Insurer’s Viewpoint’ hosted by the Integrated Health and Wellbeing Council in association with Prudent Insurance Brokers.
Pointing out the evolving treatment policies from the insurers’ point of view, Sanjay Datta, Underwriting, Reinsurance, Claims & Actuarial, ICICI Lombard, said, “What we did was, we maintained a regular interaction with the hospitals to ensure the services remain hassle free and every important areas are covered, given the claims in a unprecedented manner.” “No bar was put from the insurers’ behalf in COVID-19 treatment for any patients,” pointed out Sushma Anupam, Deputy General Manager, The New India Assurance Co Ltd. Anupam said that given the enormity of the disease, future special packages are being planned for the benefits of customers.
Reflecting on the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health insurance sector, Pavanjit Singh Dhingra, Joint Managing Director, Prudent Insurance Brokers, said, “The health insurance sector has incurred massive losses because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But, despite everything, from the large claims from the patients to other constraints, tens of thousands of patients were massively benefited, thanks to pro-activeness of the insurance providers. “Given both the long and short term impact, a more holistic view is required on how future policies should benefit patients against more such deadly diseases” he added. The experts also believed that the disruption, in a way, has allowed the insurers to be more flexible in terms of rolling out special health packages, for instance, home-based COVID-19 care.