"Mental illness is like physical illness…Psychiatrists have been constantly telling patients, their relatives and the media that mental illnesses are often due to an imbalance of neurotransmitters (chemicals) in the brain… What a relief to hear that patients with psychiatric ailments (will be able to) claim medical insurance. Not only will this reduce the financial burden but I hope it de-stigmatizes mental illnesses,” consultant psychiatrist Dr Pervin Dadachanji told Parsiana on August 20, 2018.
She was referring to a circular issued by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) dated August 16, instructing insurance companies to cover mental illnesses under insurance policies, on par with physical illnesses. The directive follows the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 which has come into force from May 29 this year. "As per Sec 21(4) of the said Act, every insurer shall make provision for medical insurance for treatment of mental illness on the same basis as is available for treatment of physical illness,” said the IRDAI circular. Insurers today exclude mental illness from health policies. However, globally companies cover mental illness after initial waiting period of two-three years, reported The Economic Times of August 16.
"The regulation will benefit huge segments of the population with mental health problems,” consultant psychiatrist Dr Kersi Chavda told Parsiana on August 19. Admitting that he had not seen the fine print yet as the news had broken only two days prior, Chavda wondered if prescription drugs that some patients may need to take for extended periods would be covered. "What about tests and investigations? Would insurers pay for those?” Chavda ruminated. "But I am hopeful…this is a step in the correct direction… The National Health Service in the UK covers costs for treating long-term mental illnesses… In New Zealand, all mental health services are paid for by the state,” said the doctor.
"With the ‘fairly high incidence’ of mental illnesses among Parsis (given the tiny total population), I am confident it will be a great aid to those who suffer… Parsi women were among the first to take to cancer insurance after insurance companies introduced policies for cancer treatments,” said Chavda.