Mental, genetic ailments eligible for health cover under new Irdai norms

All health covers filed and cleared after April 1, 2019 must adhere to norms; existing policies not in adherence shall not be offered and promoted April 1, 2020 onwards

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai) has listed diseases that can’t be excluded from health insurance policies. It includes neurodevelopmental disorders, mental illness problems, psychological disorders, genetic diseases, puberty- and menopause-related disorders.

The insurance regulator said all health covers filed and cleared after April 1, 2019, have to adhere to the guidelines issued. And, all existing health covers which are not in adherence with the guidelines would not be offered and promoted from April 1, 2020, onwards.

With the number of health insurance companies and insurance products increasing in the market, the regulator wants the industry to adopt a