The aim of the meeting, which is expected in the coming weeks, is to close the long-term gap in the Indian Ecosystem of Health Insurance-Insurance or No Donors for Organs-I When Transplants’ Demand and Costs remain unbearable.
“In India, health insurance is not unlimited; it has a certain amount secured and specific conditions. In principle, insurance companies are interested in data on the patient’s outcome for those who have undergone authorities.
India faces a critical lack of organs for transplantation, with demand far exceeding the supply. While the country has reached record number of transplants, with 18,900 procedures in 2024, according to the Ministry of Health, the gap remains significant.
It is estimated that the waiting list only for the kidneys is up to 175,000, with a waiting time of three to five years. The annual demand for liver is also massive, with an estimated 25,000-30,000 patients in need, but only a small part of these procedures is performed. This huge discrepancy is a major challenge for the health care system.
It is planned to create standardized insurance products for patients who can cover transplant and long -term postoperative care procedures. “The whole idea is to alleviate financial stress and maintain insurance of transplantation and postoperative care is a key factor due to the huge load on patients in India who require organ transplant services,” the official added.
According to documents reviewed by Mint, health insurance insurance in India generally covers life and disability, but specifically do not deal with the donation of living authorities. Documents suggest that health insurance should be made and insurers should compete for prices and cover to ensure availability.
He stated that Irdai must cooperate with the health authorities to develop instructions and protocols for organ transplants and encourage insurance companies to cover a wider range of transplantation and related expenses.
The cost of organ transplantation in India is a significant financial burden, and a large part of the expenditure paid outside the pocket. Kidney transplantation usually ranges from £5 lakh to £15 lakh while more complex liver transplants can stand between £18 lakh and £35 Lakh.
These figures apply to a change based on the hospital, type of procedure and any complications. High costs forcing many families to exhaust their savings or get into debt. The lack of widespread and comprehensive insurance coverage of these procedures remains the main obstacle to the approach.
In July, the Government reported the parliament that the gift of authorities in 2024 was only 0.81 deceased gifts per million inhabitants, emphasizing the need for stronger support and awareness systems.
Questions sent to the Ministry of Health, Irdai and Icici Lombard were not immediately answered. Insurance companies such as HDFC Life, Star Health and Zurich Kotak refused to comment on this matter.
As part of its broader reform pressure, the government also introduced the first Indian register of digital organs transplants to bring transparency into the allocation process and limited the role of mediators. Hospitals are entrusted to regularly update transplant data with sanctions for non -compliance.
With me
- The aim of this initiative is to standardize insurance coverage of organ transplants and solve a critical lack of organs.
- Affordable insurance could alleviate the financial burden of families, thereby making transplantation available.
- Cooperation between Notto and Irdai is an important step towards a comprehensive reform of health care in India.
New notes instructions are also introduced to make the system more fairer – it offers priority for patients on waiting lists and ensures that families of deceased donors gain a priority approach if they sometimes require transplantation in the future.
According to Dr. Rajkirana K. Deshpande, a surgeon of organ transplantation at Sparsh Hospital in Bengalur, the proposed cooperation of Notto-Ipii could be a change in the game.
If available premiums and standardized coverage for donors and recipients are introduced, this framework could cause organ transplantation to be fairer and more accessible, he said.
“The government’s intention to include donation and organ transplantation to the scope of health insurance coverage is definitely a welcome step that will give relief to many customers who are considering organ transplantation,” Niva Bupa said.
“In Niva Bupa, organ transplantation is covered with all our products. In cases where the insured receiver is, the whole procedure – including the reception and harvest of the organ – is covered, although the person who donates the body is not insured with us.
This means that the high costs of treatment and the absence of standardized packages remain key challenges, Dr. Bhabatosh Misra, director and chief operating director, Niva Bupa health insurance. “The approach based on data, supported by the knowledge based on results, will be crucial to help propose fair and sustainable coverage as the sector evolves.”
(Tagstotranslate) transplantation of India organs
