Narayana Health Launches 'Aditi': A Game-Changer in Indian Healthcare Insurance
Written by Sirish Dixit
Narayana Health introduces 'Aditi', a groundbreaking health insurance product in India, aiming to bridge the gap in surgical care accessibility with affordable coverage for essential procedures.
In India, there is a need for 70 million surgeries annually, but only 20 million are being performed due to lack of access and means to undergo essential procedures such as caesarean delivery, laparotomy, and treatment of open fractures, according to Dr. Devi Shetty, chairman of Narayana Health.
To address this gap, Narayana Health introduced its first health insurance product, ‘Aditi’, on July 1.
At the launch, Dr. Shetty expressed hope that India will soon experience a strategic shift where quality healthcare encompasses not only infrastructure and access to treatments for malaria, TB, and HIV but also necessary surgical procedures.
Aditi is being piloted in Mysuru, Mandya, and Chamraj Nagar, with plans to expand to Bengaluru in a few weeks.
“We will evaluate the pilot's outcomes before expanding across India. Aditi is the basic, entry-level plan, the first of three plans we will introduce soon. The annual premium for Aditi is set at Rs 10,000, covering a family of four, with the eldest member being 45 years old,” said Viren Prasad Shetty, vice-chairman of Narayana Hrudayalaya Ltd.
Ravi Viswanath, director of Narayana Health Insurance Ltd, noted that the premium would vary if there are existing co-morbidities or if the patients are older.
“The insured are covered up to Rs 5 lakh for treatment and Rs 1 crore for surgeries. Traditional insurance companies charge anywhere between Rs 20,000 and Rs 48,000 for similar coverage,” added Viswanath.
The aim is to make health insurance accessible to everyone, added Dr. Shetty. “We will not deny insurance to anyone, regardless of their medical conditions,” he said.
Initially, Aditi will be limited to elective procedures at Narayana Health facilities, but for emergency treatment, insured individuals can avail themselves of services anywhere, stated Viren Prasad.
“Unlike traditional plans, Aditi prioritizes a smooth and efficient experience by primarily offering coverage within the trusted Narayana Health network, where experienced doctors and advanced facilities are available. This minimizes administrative hurdles. In other countries, what we offer is called managed care rather than insurance,” he added.