As AQI rises, your health plan should rise to the occasion

Every year, as the festive lights go dim and winter is about to set in, the skies turn grey and a familiar blanket of smog settles over Indian cities, especially in the north. But what was once a seasonal inconvenience has now become an almost year-round health crisis.

And slowly and gradually, this emergency is reshaping public health as well as the economics of healthcare.It is now common knowledge that India’s air pollution problem has reached alarming levels. According to the State of Global Air 2025 report, almost two million deaths in 2023 were linked to air pollution. This is a massive 43 per cent increase since 2000. The report also revealed that India’s pollution-related death rate is almost ten times higher than in high-income countries.

In India, about 186 deaths per 1,00,000 people are linked to pollution, compared to only 17 in wealthier nations .Not just that, there is ample evidence now that hospitalisations for respiratory illnesses such as asthma, bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have shot up dramatically across India. A joint study by the Boston Consulting Group and Medi Assist found that health insurance claims for respiratory conditions in Delhi rose by 8.3 per cent between FY2023 and FY2025, while hospital admissions for such ailments nearly tripled in the latter half of 2024.So it’s quite clear that breathing in Indian cities is fast becoming an expensive affair, not just for our wallets but for our bodies too. And as pollution levels continue to rise, the role of comprehensive health insurance has become more important than ever.A case for comprehensive coverageIn a world where we are continuously exposed to toxic air, severe respiratory problems are common. Moreover, exposure to pollution is also linked with diabetes, heart-related ailments and even mental health conditions.

These illnesses can drain one’s savings over time. Buying a comprehensive health insurance plan can come to the rescue in this challenging environment. The good news is that most modern health insurance plans come with several preventive care benefits like annual health check-ups, fitness tracking rewards, and discounts for maintaining healthy lifestyle goals. For urban Indians inhaling hazardous air, these preventive features can make a significant difference by detecting ailments at an early stage, thereby resulting in timely intervention.Here’s what you should consider when buying a health planPED (pre-existing disease) coverage: If pollution has aggravated an existing condition, check whether your insurer treats it as a pre-existing disease. There are several plans that offer Day 1 coverage for pre-existing diseases at a nominal cost. The benefits outweigh the cost considering the kind of risk pollution poses to the vulnerable age-groups, like children and the elderly. If you have chronic respiratory or cardio-metabolic conditions, prioritise plans with these riders.OPD coverage:OPD stands for Outpatient Department. As respiratory illnesses go up, so do frequent doctor visits, tests and medications for pollution-related symptoms. OPD coverage helps bridge this gap. For urban families who consult physicians regularly for coughs, inhaler refills or follow-ups, an OPD add-on can substantially reduce out-of-pocket spend.Critical-illness cover: Pollution increases the risk of serious non-communicable diseases.

A critical-illness cover pays a lump sum on diagnosis of specified diseases, which is helpful for covering treatment phases that fall outside standard hospitalisation or for meeting gap expenses such as repeated hospitalisation and long-term care.Preventive and wellness benefits: Insurance companies now include or offer add-ons for annual health checks, cancer screenings and wellness incentives (fitness rewards or cashback for health goals).

Early detection is particularly valuable where pollution accelerates chronic disease; preventive benefits can save money and prevent escalation.Domiciliary and day-care benefits: For pollution-related conditions, treatment at home (domiciliary care) or short day-care procedures is common, especially for those who already have respiratory illnesses. Ensure your plan explicitly covers domiciliary treatment and modern day-care procedures so that claims are smooth.When the air we breathe itself becomes a health threat, protecting one’s future means more than just staying fit. It also means staying financially ready. And that’s exactly what comprehensive health insurance is designed to do.Contributed by Siddharth Singhal, Head, Health InsuranceDisclaimer: The above content is non-editorial, and TIL hereby disclaims any and all warranties, expressed or implied, relating to it, and does not guarantee, vouch for or necessarily endorse any of the content.