Kashmir is often called the “Paradise on Earth” owing to its impressive views of snowy glaciers, lush-green forests, and majestic mountains. The region is also world-renowned for its luxurious pashmina shawls and high-quality saffron. However, living in the valley comes with specific challenges that can limit access to advanced medical facilities. This is where health insurance becomes essential and should be a top priority for every family in Kashmir.
Major Challenges Faced by People in Kashmir
People in Kashmir face the following health challenges due to its distinctive weather and terrain:
1. Limited Access to Quality Healthcare
The healthcare infrastructure of Kashmir is limited, with the most advanced medical facilities available only in major cities like Srinagar, Anantnag, Baramulla, etc. For those living in rural areas, travelling long distances to well-equipped hospitals in these cities can be expensive. The cost increases even more if they require road or air ambulance services. This becomes a barrier for many, leading to delays in receiving timely medical treatment, especially during emergencies.
2. Harsh Winter Season
Winters in Kashmir are pretty harsh. Heavy snowfall and frequent road closures often isolate people in the valley from essential services, let alone quality healthcare. Besides, reaching a hospital in another city is nearly impossible during medical emergencies. As a result, many families are vulnerable during winter.
3. Prevalence of Major Health Issues
The climatic and lifestyle conditions in Kashmir contribute to a range of health problems. For instance, respiratory diseases are widespread in Kashmir due to cold weather and poor air quality. In fact, there has been a noticeable rise in cardiovascular conditions, like hypertension and heart disease, in the region, often attributed to high-stress levels and poor dietary habits. Moreover, many people in the union territory suffer from mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, and trauma-related disorders.
4. Rising Medical Costs
Medical inflation is a major concern in India, and Kashmir is no exception. The region is experiencing a notable increase in the cost of quality healthcare facilities due to their limited availability. For many families, an unforeseen illness or health crisis can strain their finances, exhausting their savings in no time. This is another reason why people in the valley delay their treatment unless it becomes absolutely essential.
5. Insufficient Coverage by Government Schemes
People in Kashmir have access to many government health insurance schemes like Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) SEHAT. However, these schemes do not cover all their medical expenses, particularly those arising from critical illnesses that require specialised and advanced treatments. This gap in coverage leads to significant out-of-pocket expenses, placing a heavy financial burden on families.
6. No Guarantee of Cashless Treatment During Health Emergencies
In case of a health emergency, people rush to a nearby hospital for urgent medical care. They do not have the time to find a cashless hospital empanelled to their government health scheme. As a result, they are unable to use their government policy in time and end up spending out of pocket.
Health Insurance: A Perfect Solution for Kashmir’s Healthcare Challenges
Health insurance is crucial for addressing the challenges faced by the people of Kashmir. It covers them for a wide range of medical expenses, including hospital costs, ambulance charges, surgeries, OPD consultation & diagnostic tests, among others. Besides, it also offers teleconsultation facilities that can help people in the valley connect with health experts from the comforts of their home, particularly during winters.
Considering the high cost of quality medical facilities concentrated in major cities, health insurance enables people to receive timely and necessary medicare without worrying about paying the hefty bills. Moreover, they can easily use their health policy to pay for road or air ambulance services availed to reach a hospital in cities like Srinagar, Leh, Chandigarh, or even Delhi during an emergency.
Additionally, a comprehensive medical insurance plan can help people in the valley afford expensive treatments for prevalent health issues, such as respiratory diseases, cardiovascular problems, and mental health disorders. Moreover, it promotes preventive care by offering wellness discounts on achieving specific goals like attaining the required step count, ultimately leading to a healthier Kashmir.
How Health Insurance is a Reliable Alternative to Government Schemes in Kashmir?
Take a look at the table below to understand how personal health insurance is a reliable alternative to popular government health insurance schemes, such as the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) SEHAT scheme, in Kashmir:
| Categories | Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) SEHAT Scheme | Personal Health Insurance |
| Sum Insured | The scheme provides free health insurance coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family annually on a floater sum insured basis. | Personal health insurance policies provide medical coverage ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹6 crore, depending on the chosen plan. |
| Scope of Coverage | The AB-PMJAY SEHAT scheme covers secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation expenses. | It offers comprehensive coverage for various medical expenses and procedures, including critical illnesses, OPD expenses, ambulance charges, modern treatments, day care treatments, in-patient treatments, teleconsultations, pre and post-hospitalisation expenses, AYUSH treatments, etc. |
| Cashless Hospitalisation | It offers cashless treatments at several public and private empanelled hospitals in Kashmir. | Personal health plans offer cashless treatments at all hospitals across India, including Kashmir, with the cashless everywhere facility.
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| Pre and Post-Hospitalisation Expenses | The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) SEHAT scheme covers up to 3 days of pre-hospitalisation and 15 days of post-hospitalisation expenses. | Most health insurance plans generally cover up to 60 days of pre-hospitalisation expenses and up to 180 days of post-hospitalisation expenses, depending on the opted plan. |
How to Buy Health Insurance Online?
Buying health insurance online is simple and convenient. With just a few clicks, you can buy a policy that offers peace of mind and covers all your medicare expenses. While government schemes like Ayushman Bharat Yojana provide some financial support, their coverage is not enough. As a result, many people are turning to personal health insurance policies for better coverage.
As there are several medical insurance providers in India, people can get confused about which policy to buy. Online insurance brokers streamline this process by allowing customers to purchase a mediclaim policy quickly and efficiently. Instead of spending hours finding the right policy, people can use platforms like Policybazaar.com to compare multiple health plans based on their coverage, premium, and benefits. This comparison enables them to identify the policy that best aligns with their health needs.
In a Nutshell
While the beauty of Kashmir is undeniable, the region faces significant health challenges that need immediate attention. This is why people in the valley should prioritise their health and invest in personal medical insurance without further ado. By ensuring comprehensive medical coverage, they can manage their health needs effectively and secure a healthier future for themselves and their families.