Current policies to be extended to cover mental illnesses as well: Irdai

Insurers say they will have to study the available data to work out by how much premiums will have to go up to be able to cover mental illnesses as well

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai) in a recent circular notified insurers to make provisions, with immediate effect, for the treatment of mental illnesses according to the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017. The notification further clarifies that the treatment for mental illnesses should be on the same basis as the treatment of physical illnesses. Henceforth, people will be able to get coverage for hospitalisation expenses related to mental ailments. It is estimated that about 150 million people suffer from some form of mental disorder in India.

A few months ago, the Delhi High Court had asked IRDAI to