The incidence of mental health problems has increased post-COVID. The pandemic is said to have had a huge impact on people’s mental health. Several efforts are being made at various levels to address this problem. In an official notification available on its official website, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDAI) has directed insurance companies to provide coverage for mental illness under health insurance policies before. October 31, 2022.“All insurance products will cover mental illness and comply with the provisions of the MHC Act, 2017 without any deviation. Insurers are required to confirm compliance by October 31, 2022,” IRDAI said, media reported.Read: Are anxiety attacks common after COVID-19? Here’s everything you need to knowThe MHC Act, 2017 or the Mental Health Care Act, 2017 came into force on 29 May 2018. As per Section 21(4) of the said Act, every insurance company is required to provide insurance cover medical treatment to treat mental illness on the same basis as is available to treat physical illness. On 27 March 2017, the Lok Sabha unanimously passed the Mental Health Care Act, 2017. The Act was approved by the President of India in April 2017. The MHC Act 2017 defines the mental health issues are…The Mental Health Care Act 2017 emphasizes the provision of mental health care and services for people with mental illness as well as to protect, promote and fulfill the rights of such persons in the provision of mental health care and services. It defines “mental illness” as a significant disorder of thought, mood, perception, orientation, or memory that seriously impairs judgment, behavior, perception of reality, or ability to ability to meet the normal demands of life, mental conditions related to alcohol and drug abuse. Are mental health concerns evident? , this did not happen,” said a report published in The Lancet Psychiatry. “In 2018 and 2019, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India took no action to ensure that Insurance companies include mental illness in their insurance policies. The situation began to change following the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown in India, which worsened the prevalence of mental disorder symptoms in the general population,” said the published report. in October 2021, one year after the pandemic broke out. The report also highlights insurance claims for costs related to hospitalization due to a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder, which were denied because the policy excluded mental disorders. What should people know about mental health insurance? Under the MHC Act 2017, psychiatric insurance plans will cover the costs. of treatment if the patient requires hospitalization. This will include the cost of diagnosis, treatment, medications, hotel rentals, and other fees. However, this cost can vary from company to company. You need to research the market before buying insurance. of plans may vary. Currently the Act does not cover mental retardation or intellectual disability.
