AYUSH Cover in Health Insurance – An Introductory Guide

What is AYUSH Cover?

An acronym for Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy, AYUSH represents a health care system focused on alternative medicine or treatment. These alternative treatments are traditionally less expensive than allopathy and cause fewer side effects.

The Government of India introduced the AYUSH ministry to promote and develop traditional and alternative medicine. The government further mandated general and standalone health insurance companies to provide health insurance to people who prefer these conventional courses of treatment.

Individuals who opt for treatment through AYUSH medicine can undergo various kinds of drug therapies to treat illnesses using their AYUSH cover.

AYUSH Treatment Insurance – Inclusions and Exclusions

Health insurance which covers AYUSH comes with its own list of inclusions and exclusions. They are as under:

The Inclusions

You can file a claim for the following expenses under the AYUSH treatment cover:

• AYUSH treatment expenses incurred at government hospitals accredited by the National Accreditation Board of Health (NABH) or the Quality Council of India (QCI).
• Expenses incurred during an in–patient treatment at NABH and QCI–accredited facilities offering therapies like Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy.
• The costs associated with enrolment fees you pay as a policyholder to Yoga institutes within your state as a part of your preventive wellness.

The Exclusions

The insurance provider is not obligated to cover the expenses associated with the following under your AYUSH treatment insurance.

• Outpatient treatments that do not require hospitalisation or lodging, i.e., treatments completed within 24 hours.
• Expenses associated with pre and post–hospitalisation, day–care procedures, and alternative treatment costs resulting from out–patient medical care.
• Preventive or rejuvenation treatments that are not deemed medically necessary or prescribed by licenced practitioners.

Benefits of Opting for AYUSH Treatment Cover 

The following are the advantages of opting for a medical insurance policy with AYUSH cover:

• You can enjoy a more holistic and natural approach to healthcare.
• You get in–depth resolutions for various ailments with an emphasis on overall wellness rather than providing short–term relief.
• The body can absorb natural ingredients more efficiently, reducing the chances of harmful side effects.
• The negligible side effects make it an excellent alternative treatment for older adults and senior citizens whose bodies are not equipped to absorb harsh allopathic medicines.
• AYUSH treatment also helps individuals battling lifestyle issues like tobacco, drug, and alcohol addiction.

Invest in Medical Insurance Today

Despite the IRDAI guidelines, only a few health insurance companies in India currently offer the AYUSH treatment cover. However, it helps to have both an AYUSH policy and a regular medical insurance plan. You must research and compare the coverage offered under both AYUSH and general health insurance policies before purchasing them.