What is BMI? How does it impact your Health Insurance Premium?

Decoding BMI: Its Role in Health Insurance Premium Calculations

Did you know that obesity is a rising health concern in India, with almost 1 in 4 people being overweight?

Sedentary lifestyles, sitting in front of screens for hours, eating unhealthy food and moving for hardly a few minutes seem to be the daily routines for many people. While development has brought along convenience and ease, it has also brought along a slew of lifestyle diseases.

With the rise in the prevalence of diseases, Health Insurance policies help customers pay for their heavy medical bills and receive the best care. However, research has shown that those who are overweight or obese wind up paying more for their Health Insurance coverage than those who are not. Body Mass Index (BMI) and pre-existing conditions determine the applicants’ insurance Premiums.

What is BMI?

Body Mass Index, or BMI, is a formula that uses height to determine your optimal weight. You can also predict your body fat percentage. If your BMI is high, you may have a high-fat range; if your BMI is low, you may have a low-fat range. But BMI alone is not a good indicator and needs corroborating measurements.  

How to calculate BMI?

You can use the formula below to calculate your BMI:

BMI formula = Weight of the person (in kg)/(Height of the person) 2(in m2)

So, for example, if your height is 1.54 meters and your weight is 55kg, your BMI would be
55/(1.54)2, which is equal to 55/2.371, which comes to 23.19. After calculating your BMI, check the chart below to see if it is high or low:
 

Relationship between BMI and Health Insurance?

Your BMI impacts your insurance Premiums because it reflects your level of fitness and health. A higher or lower BMI will result in higher or lower insurance costs.

This is because having a high BMI puts you at risk for developing heart disease and increases the likelihood that you may need to go to the hospital for complications brought on by your weight. A low BMI might also indicate an unidentified medical condition.

According to Health Insurance providers, having a BMI that is too high or too low may cause more hospital visits. For the insurance provider, this will mean higher medical costs. Accordingly, your insurance Premium may be higher or lower, depending on your BMI.

You should be aware that these values are merely a measure of your level of health. They are not final and binding, though. For instance, an athlete or someone who is extremely fit may have a high BMI. You cannot categorise them as overweight or obese because the additional weight in this scenario may be caused by muscle mass. 

Though BMI is a good measure, it is only one of several factors that determine your health.

How can you maximise the benefits of your Health Insurance?

At Star Health Insurance, you have a wide range of Health Insurance plans to choose from. These policies will cover the medical needs of you and your family in the event of an emergency. 

Being fit and healthy can result in renewal discounts. For instance, insurers could encourage their customers to participate in certain wellness activities and provide them with points for doing so. 

Selecting the Appropriate Health Insurance Plan

When selecting a health insurance plan, an individual should consider the following:

Exclusions in Policies: Read the exclusions that are associated with BMI and related health conditions in terms of exclusions.

Premium Rates: Find premium rates provided by various insurers and plans while considering the implications of BMI.

Benefits and Coverage: In making a selection for a policy, look for programs with the best coverage for preventive care, including weight management programs.

Seeking Professional Expert Advice

Professional advice from insurance advisors will enable one to make wise decisions. In general, he will be capable of telling you which policy might be most suitable given your health profile, including your BMI.

Maintaining a Healthy BMI

Importance of Lifestyle Changes

To efficiently control BMI, one should bring about lifestyle changes:

Nutrition: Take a well-balanced diet, which is rich in fruits and vegetables, with lean proteins and whole grains, to maintain healthy body weights.

Physically Active: Take on very important physical exercise to keep track of your weight and be healthy. At least maintain 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per week.

Regularly monitor your health and weight so you can make some lifestyle adjustments before it gets worse.

With Star Health Insurance, you can avail a discount on Premium, depending on how many wellness points you have earned. Therefore, you reap the rewards of both cost-saving and good health through such incentives for staying active.

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