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The expenses of both organ donors and donees can now be covered under a wide variety of products being offered by the insurers because of the increasing numbers of transplant.
Insurers have started offering covers - earlier only add-ons or a small portion of the cover - as part of comprehensive health insurance plans. Usually, a donee had to bear the burden of the donor's medical expense, along with their own.
But an insurance policy that covers organ transplant treatment is very helpful. Though the donor's medical expense - 20 to 40 per cent of the total treatment cost -still has to be borne by the donee.
K G Krishnamoorthy Rao, managing director and chief executive officer, Future Generali India Insurance, said almost all insurers cover organ donation expenses in health policy, especially since organ transplants are gaining popularity in the country.
The number of transplants in India is around 15,000-20,000 every year. According to media reports, about 2,00,000 people need a new kidney and about 1,00,000 need a new liver every year. However, a very small per cent of the demand is met. The number of donors are few and the high cost of treatment is a barrier.
Health insurance experts are of the view that it is advisable to buy a policy that will cover the medical expenses of both the donor and the donee.
Hospitals also prefer organ donors who have an insurance cover against unexpected medical expenses so that the liability can be shared. While this is not mandated, hospital authorities say that since such covers are available, it should be easier to be insured than before.
With the insurance regulator mandating that general insurers cover at least 12 critical illnesses, organ donor expenses is also included under its ambit by companies.
Industry sources said that earlier there were several cases of organ donors being rejected a cover by the general insurance companies due to the risks involved.
"Now, with the advancement of technology, both public and private companies are now averse to providing a cover. But, the individual has to disclose this at the very beginning to avoid rejection of claims in the future," said the chief executive of a mid-size private general insurance firm.
Even new products coming into the market have such features. For instance, Liberty Videocon General Insurance which recently entered the retail health space with the launch of its product covers organ donation expenses up to the sum assured.
Roopam Asthana, director and chief executive officer, Liberty Videocon General Insurance, explained that their Health Connect policy covers expenses incurred towards organ donor's screening and treatment for harvesting of the organ donated.
