Hypertension And Health Insurance: What You Must Disclose And Why It Matters

When it comes to buying health insurance, disclosing your medical history is not just a formality, it’s one of the most important parts of your policy. And if you are someone living with high blood pressure, being transparent about it is not just good practice, it is essential.

Hypertension is common, millions live with it and many manage it well. But it is still a pre-existing condition that insurers assess closely. What does that mean for you when you are filling out a health insurance proposal?

Disclose Everything, Even If It Seems Small

“If you are hypertensive at the time of buying a health insurance policy, it is essential to disclose it truthfully and in detail,” says Siddharth Singhal, Head of Health Insurance at Policybazaar, an online insurance marketplace.

What exactly should you mention? According to Singhal, all the basics: the date of diagnosis, medications you are on, your frequency of doctor visits, and any complications you have had, even if your BP is just a little high or controlled. “Even if it’s asymptomatic, it must be disclosed,” he says.

Do insurers offer different underwriting or waiting periods for different age groups with hypertension?

Most insurers will assess the risk either via a quick telemedical interview or may ask you to undergo a health check-up, especially if they want more clarity. This could include a blood pressure reading and lab tests.

Based on these checks, insurers may issue the policy as is, with some exclusions or may load the premium slightly. Such assessments help insurers determine the right terms and keep future claims safe from disputes.

What about age and waiting period? A common assumption is that age is the main factor in whether you will get a clean chit from the insurer. But that is not necessarily true. Ashish Yadav, Head of Products and Operations at ManipalCigna Health Insurance, clarifies: “Underwriting decisions for hypertension are not based solely on age. We look at the severity, the current readings, and whether the condition is under control.”

If your hypertension is mild and well-managed, you may not even have to pay extra. But in cases where it is severe or uncontrolled, the insurer may impose some restrictions or charge a higher premium. Moreover, some plans now offer flexibility on waiting periods for pre-existing conditions like hypertension.

What Happens If You Don’t Disclose It?

It might seem okay to skip the declaration if your condition is under control or not causing any trouble. But that is a risky move, and potentially a costly one.

“Failing to disclose pre-existing hypertension when purchasing a health insurance policy can have serious consequences,” warns Pankaj Nawani, CEO of CarePal Secure.

He explains that insurance contracts are governed by the principle of uberrima fides, meaning ‘utmost good faith’. If a claim is made and the insurer later discovers that you had hypertension which was not disclosed, they can reject your claim outright. Worse, your policy could be cancelled altogether.

And here’s the kicker: they could deny not just treatment related to hypertension but also unrelated claims if they determine there was a breach of trust.

The Bottom Line

Hypertension is not a dealbreaker for getting health insurance, but hiding it can be. The rules are clear: disclose all material facts, even if your BP is under control or doesn’t feel like a major issue.

With more insurers offering nuanced coverage and reduced waiting periods for pre-existing conditions, it is entirely possible to get fair protection, even with hypertension. But that protection only kicks in when you start the process honestly.