How countries are tackling cost fears of coronavirus treatment
The proliferation of coronavirus cases across more than 100 countries has pushed governments and insurance companies to come up with strategies to cover out-of-pocket expenses that patients may have to incur, thereby minimising the threat of underreporting of cases.
Amid the coronavirus scare, there have been umpteen number of cases where travellers haven’t reported themselves for screening at airports, people with symptoms have avoided getting themselves checked at hospitals or run away from hospitals, either due to the fear of being quarantined or bearing the cost of treatment.
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In a bid to alleviate such fears, several countries have asked respective health insurance companies to cover treatment cost for coronavirus, said a report by Hindustan Times.
In India, insurance regulator IRDAI last week asked insurance companies to offer policies that could cover treatment costs for coronavirus infection.
According to the report, insurance companies are also introducing products for specific diseases, including vector-borne ones.
“For the purpose of meeting health insurance requirements of various sections, insurers are advised to design products covering the costs of treatment for coronavirus,” the report quoted a circular published by IRDAI as saying.
“All claims reported under COVID-19 shall be thoroughly reviewed by review committee before repudiating the claims,” the circular said.
India so, far has reported 62 confirmed cases of coronavirus.
In a similar step, America’s insurance advocacy association America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) announced last week that member companies like Cigna Corp and Anthem Inc, will cover diagnostic testing when it is ordered by a doctor, ease network, referral and prior authorisation requirements and/or waive patient cost sharing, the report said.
According to healthcare experts, patient cost-sharing is a major deterrent for many in the US when it comes to visiting a doctor, even if they have symptoms or chances of contracting the disease.
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AHIP also said it will take necessary steps to ensure that patients have continuous access to their regular prescription medications.
Singapore, which has reported 160 cases of coronavirus so far, has attributed its new infections to Indonesia, via people who had travelled from the neighbouring country.
On contrary, Indonesia’s paltry count of 19 infections has raised questions on its screening system. In view of the disparity in numbers, Singapore has started charging visitors for coronavirus treatment, from March 7.
