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If buyers conceal their hypertension, insurers may reject claims due to nondisclosure and even cancel the policy, citing withheld information.
Corrective steps can be taken to safeguard your coverage.
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a critical health condition that occurs when blood vessels experience excessive pressure. If left unmanaged, it can lead to life-threatening complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney and eye disorders, cognitive decline, and even heart attacks.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the India Hypertension Control Initiative, hypertension is responsible for over 7.5 million deaths annually. In India, nearly 25% of adults are affected by the condition, a number that continues to rise.
As the prevalence of hypertension grows, health insurance providers have become more stringent in verifying medical disclosures at the time of policy issuance. Failure to disclose a pre-existing condition like hypertension can result in claim rejections or even policy cancellations, making it vital for policyholders to be transparent about their health history.
If a policyholder files a claim and it is later discovered that they failed to disclose their hypertension, the insurer can reject the claim on the grounds of non-disclosure of a pre-existing condition. This holds true even if the claim pertains to a medical issue unrelated to the undisclosed hypertension. In some cases, insurers may also cancel the policy altogether, citing the initial breach of disclosure.
Additionally, individuals undergoing regular treatment for hypertension who fail to declare it at the time of purchase may not be eligible for coverage under pre-existing disease clauses. This omission can leave them unprotected and financially vulnerable during medical emergencies.
What To Do If You Forgot To Disclose Hypertension While Buying Health Insurance
Failing to disclose a hypertension diagnosis when purchasing health insurance can lead to serious consequences, but all may not be lost. There are still corrective steps you can take to rectify the situation and safeguard your coverage.
1. Utilise the Free-Look Period: Most health insurance policies offer a free-look period, generally around 15 days from the date of purchase. During this time, policyholders can review the policy documents and make corrections or even cancel the policy. If you realise you forgot to disclose your hypertension, this is the ideal window to rectify the error. The insurer will then re-examine the policy based on the updated information.
2. Disclose at Renewal: If the free-look period has passed, policyholders can still disclose their hypertension at the time of policy renewal. However, this disclosure is subject to the insurer’s discretion. They may choose to continue coverage, charge a higher premium, exclude coverage for hypertension-related conditions, or even cancel the policy.
3. Opt for a New Policy or Switch Providers: Another option is to purchase a new health insurance policy from a different provider or switch to a new plan with your current insurer. In this case, it is important to honestly declare all pre-existing medical conditions, including hypertension, to ensure appropriate coverage under pre-existing disease health insurance terms.
- Location :
Delhi, India, India
- First Published:
