International Women’s Day Special: Why Women Cannot Ignore Health Insurance?

Someone has rightly said, "You cannot knock a woman off a pedestal she built for herself". This is how strong the presence of women is when she decides to live her dreams. She plays many roles in the lives of people around her and these are not limited to mother, sister, or wife. A lady is a hard-working colleague, a leader to look up to, and a person on whom her workforce can rely upon. 

It is concerning that women, who are considered to be the backbone of a society, tend to ignore their health to carry out mundane tasks. This story is all about why women should consider health insurance and the importance of celebrating womanhood.

International Women’s Day:

The idea of celebrating Women's day dates back to more than 100 years when it was first celebrated in New York in 1909. After nearly 68 years, the United Nations declared Women’s Day on 8th March, and today we celebrate it globally every year to appreciate and cherish the achievements of women who have excelled in every field, be it technology, sports, fashion, aerospace, politics, film-making, or management. And the theme “Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world.” for International Women’s Day 2021 rightly reflects this.

What Is The Best Gift for Women's Day 2021?

An ideal gift for women conjures up an image of a huge flower bouquet, a box of chocolates, or a cuddly soft-toy. But it's high time to break the stereotype! Yes, women love flowers, chocolates, or life-sized teddy bears, but we also appreciate a gift that adds actual value to our lives. The most useful gift to give woman is a comprehensive health insurance policy for women since health is always in the backseat for many of them, mainly due to how expensive medical treatment can be these days. 

A typical ageing Indian mother would bear knee-pain but won’t agree to pay a visit to an Orthopaedic, thinking that specialists are expensive. A young wife will suffer during her menstrual cycle but avoid a visit to a gynaecologist from the fear of facing a fictional bigger problem. With health insurance, you can convince women in your household to avail the required treatment in time. 

Health Insurance For Women:

Women may need more health insurance coverage as compared to men, simply because they are vulnerable to health issues. The mere fact that women give birth to babies, makes them susceptible to medical conditions that require prolonged treatment. Here is a list of coverage that is important in a Women's Health insurance plan:

1. Critical Illness Cover:  Coverage for different types of cancer, for example, ovarian cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, etc., and other critical health issues.

2. Maternity Coverage:  Should include coverage for both types of childbirth - Normal and C-section delivery.

3. Coverage for Auto-Immune Diseases: Coverage for Rheumatoid Arthritis (common in women aged 60 and above), Psoriasis, Psoriatic Arthritis, etc.

4. Coverage for Heart and Blood Pressure-related ailments: These medical issues become significant when a woman reaches menopause. Ensure that a health insurance plan has related coverage.

5. Loss of Job Cover: Pregnancy and childbirth are one of the most common reasons for women losing their job. Job loss cover can help mitigate a financial crisis in this situation.

6. Domiciliary Expenses Coverage: These are expenses related to medical treatment availed at home.

7. Post-Hospitalization Expenses: Sometimes, surgery may require follow-up treatment that can prove to be costly if out-of-pocket expenses are involved. Corresponding Health insurance coverage will reduce the chances of a financial loss.

Importance of Buying Health Insurance for Women

Buying Women’s health insurance is necessary for everyone irrespective of their gender or age. It holds a tad bit more value for a woman because of the following things:

Women Avoid Medical Treatment:

Indian women share a common mentality that home remedies work better and an ailment can be treated without the intervention of a doctor. They don't seek professional advice until things get out of control. It is important to convince women that health insurance will take care of medical expenses and that they should not avoid availing of the necessary treatment. 

Woman's Mental State:

The mental state of a woman can have a major impact on her health. Stress, low self-esteem, anxiety, work or family pressure are things that contribute to health issues. They can have a major negative impact on a person if such things are ignored for a long time. Thus, the right medical attention is essential, and the expense can be borne with the help of insurance.

The Rising Cost of Treating Women's Specific Diseases:

Women's specific diseases require detailed investigation and multi-fold medical procedures. These can be covered under health insurance with the right coverage. 

Job Roles Demanding Fitness:

Many types of jobs require women to be on their toes for a better part of the day. A simple example is of a working woman that manages both, the household and a full-time job. A health insurance company like ACKO has Group Mediclaim Coverage that offers wellness programs and a health tracker to stay on top of the current health status. 

The High Mortality Rate of Women:

It is very concerning that women have a high mortality rate. The right treatment at the right time coupled with a Comprehensive Health Insurance policy can help reduce the mortality risk in a woman. 

Celebrating Women's Day:

Celebrating women's day is not only about the 8th of March. It is about celebrating and appreciating the women in your life. Not only by men but fellow women as well. Since India has a history of female foeticide, Sati practices, female abuse, and much more, it has conditioned our behaviours to ignore health issues thinking that a woman's health is not as important. Gifting them a health insurance plan can prove that it is both for working women and housewives. A good health insurance plan can be life-saving in situations where medical attention is required but cannot be availed due to a financial crisis.