Most middle income Indians lack health insurance: Survey

Majority of urban Indians falling under the middle income category do not have health insurance, while for those having such cover, it is not adequate to meet expenses related to potential medical contingencies, says a survey.

The survey by BigDecisions.com, part of News Corp group, found that Indians in the 25-35 years age group have a better extent of health insurance as they are able to meet significant part of their health care contingency expenses. This is on account of health plans provided by employers, having fewer dependents and being less prone to illnesses, it added. The conclusions are based on responses from 30,000 users of BigDecisions.com's Health Insurance Calculator, who come under the annual salary bracket of Rs 6-36 lakh. Respondents are from five metro cities including Delhi NCR and Kolkata.

"82.2 per cent of urban middle-income Indians do not have health insurance. Of the 17.8 per cent who have health cover, it is adequate to meet less than 67 per cent of their expenses related to potential medical contingencies," the report said. Those in the age brackets of 36-45 and above 45 are able to cover only 63 per cent and 67 per cent of their future health care expenses, respectively.

"Indians who are aged above 45 are at highest risk due to greater health care needs, potential loss of regular income and lack of eligibility for company-provided insurance," it added. BigDecisions.com Co Founder and CEO Manish Shah said the report indicates that 'health isn't wealth' for a vast majority of urban Indians who do not realise that they are under-prepared to meet expenses related to potential health crises in the future.