Is Meningitis Covered in Health Insurance?

How Health Insurance Plans Address Meningitis Costs

What is Meningitis?

Meninges consists of three membranes that protect the brain and spinal cord in the human body. Contract of any infections to Meninges result in Meningitis.

It is a severe illness that, in certain instances, poses a threat to life. Anyone can get it, but population with weakened immune systems, children and older persons are especially susceptible.

This fatal condition needs to be treated quickly and effectively. However, there are occasions when it becomes challenging for the populace to secure funding for prompt treatment of bacterial meningitis. With the aid of health insurance policy, such a financial disaster can be averted.

Types of Meningitis Diseases

Meningitis comes in a variety of forms, however, the following are the most typical forms of meningitis:

Viral Meningitis- It is the most common type of meningitis, and most people get infected during the summer season. Sometimes goes away even without treatment.

Bacterial Meningitis- It is contagious and caused by infection from certain bacteria. It can harm the respiratory tract, sinuses, and skin. Earlier the treatment, significantly reduces the fatality.

Fungal Meningitis- It is a rare form of meningitis caused due to fungus that infects the body and then spreads from your bloodstream to your brain or spinal cord.

Meningitis Symptoms

Since Meningitis is a contagious disease, the Infectious pathogens can transmit from one person to another through sneezing or coughing. Read its common symptoms below:

Nausea
Vomiting
Headache
Stomach upset
Muscle pain and stiffness
Fever
Photophobia
Rash
Seizures

Health Insurance Plans That Provide Coverage of Meningitis

Individual Health Insurance Plans: Individual health insurance plans typically provide coverage for the majority of illnesses like meningitis and also the hospitalization fee. The terms and conditions of the plan should thus be verified to confirm coverage in its entirety.

Family Floater Plans: Under this program, the entire family is covered by a single sum insured; however, this sum insured is called a family floater plan. Typically, it provides coverage for hospitalization due to meningitis; yet again, the details of coverage of the specific policy have to be considered.

Critical Illness Plans: Some insurance providers have critical illness policies, which include some life-threatening conditions. In most cases, meningitis is not covered unless the complication brings about severe health complications. If that happens, it may be under their policy.

Top-Up Plans: This is a supplementary high-value policy that adds extra value on top of the base health insurance policy. If the main policy covers treatment in a hospital for meningitis, then the top-up can add more to the benefits.

Benefits of Insurance for Meningitis

Coverage for pre- and post-hospitalization costs, room rent, physician fees, prescription drugs, ambulance costs, etc.
Cashless facility available at network hospitals.
Special benefits include annual health checks, lifelong renewability and cumulative bonus.
Advanced medical facility among a network of hospitals in the area.
Benefits from taxes under Section 80D.

Important Factors to be Eligible for Coverage

1. Terms and Conditions of Policy

Read the policy document word by word before buying a health insurance plan. What is covered under it?

Inclusions: This would cover the expenses incurred in the treatment of meningitis.

Exclusions: Learn what treatments or conditions are not covered.

Sub-Limits: See if there's a cap on how much you can claim in case of hospitalization in respect of meningitis.

Most health insurance plans cover a network of hospitals where policyholders can get cashless treatment. Ensure that your insurance company has quality hospitals with departments for neurology and infectious disease within their network since timely access to treatment really plays a role in recovery.

3. Claim Procedure

Normally, submitting a claim for treatment of meningitis will cover the following.

Pre-authorization: For planned admissions, check if your insurer requires pre-authorization

Documentation: There should be a record of all medical report, treatment plan, and bills. This helps in supporting your claim.
Follow-up: You should keep in contact with your insurance company while your claim is being processed. You wish to complete the settlement within the specified time.

4. Premiums and Coverage Amount

Health insurance premiums would be really different considering the coverage amount for that specific policy your insurance company provides. A full-fledged plan would come with higher premiums as it covers more extensive areas. Still, you have to ensure that you have money available for the coverage so that its balance will be maintained.

5. Consultation with Health Professionals

If you or your family are one of those patients who are likely to get meningitis, consult doctors who will offer the best health insurance so you may be covered. These will help you figure out if you really need this particular insurance coverage based on your medical background and lifestyle.

Summing up

Although life is unpredictable, you should always be prepared to meet challenges. Health insurance significantly increases financial security, enabling you to manage medical crises like meningitis successfully.

Star health insurance provides coverage for Meningitis in almost across all the policies at an affordable-low-cost premium. The policyholders can avail the benefits of the policy after the specified Waiting Period, subject to specific terms and conditions of the policy.

Positively, Teenagers and others who is are at a higher risk of contracting this ailment can get immunizations, primarily for bacterial meningitis.