Despite an increase in the number of health insurers in India, awareness and penetration of coverage remain low. Here are some other findings on health insurance, according to a survey by Celent, a financial research and consultancy firm.
Nature of health insurance cover
Though there is greater penetration (79 per cent), the coverage is inadequate.
52 per cent Provided by employer
27 per cent Self-purchased
21 per cent Uninsured
Family members covered by the policy
The policies offered by employers cover only the breadwinner. The family is not provided for sufficiently in case of a job loss.
78 per cent Self
48 per cent Spouse
26 per cent Children under 18
16 per cent Children over 18
18 per cent Dependent parents
Attributes most sought after in a health plan
Only 9 per cent of respondents claim to have a good understanding of their coverage.
92 per cent Hospitalisation coverage
45 per cent Visits of medical specialists
40 per cent Cover for prescription drugs
31 per cent Pregnancy & maternity care
27 per cent Doctor's visit & routine check-up
11 per cent Others
Features that provide greater satisfaction
Respondents who have plans from public sector providers indicated higher levels of satisfaction.
47 per cent Wide range of benefits
47 per cent List of empanelled hospitals
41 per cent Minimal paperwork
31 per cent Cost of policy compared to similar plans
11 per cent Others
Reasons for dissatisfaction with the policy
47 per cent Claim settlement
45 per cent Limited choice of hospitals
28 per cent Cost of policy
18 per cent Coverage denial
9 per cent Others
Level of understanding of products
52 per cent Medium
26 per cent Low
13 per cent None
9 per cent High
Reasons for not buying health insurance
47 per cent No need
28 per cent Doubts about benefits
17 per cent Expensive
12 per cent Poor product knowledge
7 per cent Pre-existing ailment
Preferred channel for buying health insurance
Only 12 per cent of respondents use the Internet for information on their healthcare needs. Nearly 34 per cent cite acquaintances as the key information source.
51 per cent Directly from the company
28 per cent Individual agents
16 per cent Corporate agents
5 per cent Brokers
