Diagnosed With Hypertension? Here’s How It Can Affect Your Health Insurance Purchase

Hypertension has quietly become one of the most common health issues in India, and for insurers, it falls into the category of pre-existing diseases. That single classification is enough to change how your health insurance policy is structured.

If you already have high blood pressure when applying for a new policy, the first thing you will likely face is a waiting period. Most insurers will not cover hospitalisation or treatment costs related to hypertension for two to four years. This means that while you may have a policy in hand, any expenses directly linked to hypertension or its complications, like a stroke or heart condition, may not be reimbursed during this time. Some insurers now offer options to shorten this waiting period through riders, but these come at an additional price.

The second impact is on premiums. A person with hypertension is generally seen as a higher risk. Insurers often add what’s called a “loading” on the premium, which could be anywhere from 10 to 20 per cent or even higher, depending on age, medical history, and the severity of the condition. So, two people of the same age buying the same plan might end up paying different premiums if one has hypertension and the other doesn’t.

What else can affect your policy purchase if Hypertension is diagnosed?

Insurers may also introduce specific conditions in the policy. For example, some plans may permanently exclude hypertension-related illnesses altogether. Others could allow coverage but attach a co-payment clause, meaning you will need to pay a fixed share (say 10 to 30 per cent) of any claim that arises from a hypertension-related treatment.

Sub-limits are another tool: even if your policy has a sum insured of Rs 10 lakh, the insurer could cap expenses for certain treatments linked to hypertension, restricting how much you can actually claim.

For younger people, all this highlights why it’s wise to purchase health insurance before such conditions develop. A policy bought early usually comes with fewer restrictions, lower premiums, and coverage that is more comprehensive. Once diagnosed, the choices narrow, and the terms become stricter.

That doesn’t mean it’s impossible to get adequate protection after a hypertension diagnosis. It just requires more careful comparison between insurers and a close reading of the fine print.

Riders that reduce the waiting period, or policies that are more flexible on pre-existing diseases, can make a significant difference. The challenge is to make sure the cost and conditions balance out with the coverage you actually need.