A health insurance policy to cover BP, diabetes

I am 48 years old. I take medications for BP and diabetes, but I do not have any serious health problems otherwise. Is there any individual health policy for me that will provide maximum benefit, good claim settlement record and with a premium of ₹9,000-12000 per year.
- Manoj Kumar Singh

Some companies cover hypertension with an extra loading of premium. However, diabetes falls under the "high risk" category. It is mostly treated as a pre-existing ailment and no claims are entertained for its treatment. Pre-existing ailments, like diabetes and hypertension, have a waiting period of two to four years. However, if you buy a health cover in the early stages of detection, the waiting period will be over before you face any serious complications that may need hospitalization.

Star Health, Oriental health, Apollo Munich and New India Assurance provide insurance plans for diabetes and hypertension patients. Diabetes Safe from Star Health, Diabetes Care from ICICI Prudential and Energy from Apollo Munich are specially designed health plans for people with diabetes. However, these policies are costly, with premiums around ₹22,000-27,000.

This article was originally published on April 21, 2016.