Apollo Munich launches affordable insurance for Dengue

This year as many eagerly await the monsoons, if only to snuggle up to loved ones and munch hot pakoras, it’s not so rosy for most across the country. More than 50,000 cases of dengue were registered last year, with many ending in fatalities. The number of unregistered cases is as high as 6 million.

Apollo Munich today launched the country’s first exclusive over the counter health insurance policy for an infectious disease like Dengue. The policy covers both hospitalization and outpatient expenses and is available at a premium of Rs. 444, and provides Rs. 50,000 inpatient and Rs. 10,000 OPD coverage.

“Our estimate suggests that a Dengue patient incurs an expense of Rs. 30,000-45,000, and the diagnostics cost 5000-10,000 based on the city you live in”, Antony Jacob, CEO, Apollo Munich said.

The insurance plan would require no medical test, just a 15 day waiting period to ensure infected people don’t sign up. The plan comes with cashless facility in 4,000 hospitals across India. For others, claims would be reimbursed in 7 days. While it’s an individual policy, one could apply for up to 6 people in the same proposal.

“For those already with a medical insurance, they could have this as an additional package so that they don’t lose their bonuses when they claim for a dengue case. It’s annually renewable, and is available life-long”, Jacob observed.

Brand ambassador Sourav Ganguly shared his experience with Dengue, “Having seen my daughter go through dengue a few years ago, and the anguish it causes, I urge everyone to pledge their platelets for helping people suffering from dengue and who need to replenish the lost platelets.”

When jokingly asked if he’d go shirtless again like he did at Lords as doctors advise wearing full sleeves to protect against dengue, he chortles, “That was 14 years ago, and we still remember that!”