Thyroid Disease Insurance

Thyroid disease, a prevalent health condition around the world, has affected over 42 million people​ in India to date.

This category of health disease is among the most common endocrine disorders, and yet, it goes undiagnosed for long periods, resulting in major complications in the future. Similar to any other disease, thyroid also requires necessary medical attention and treatment to reduce the mental and financial burden of this disease.

However, many people ask whether health insurance for thyroid patients is available. In this guide, we will discuss thyroid symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment, and the role of health insurance in dealing with thyroid problems in India.

What is Thyroid Disease?

Thyroid disease is a health condition that affects the thyroid gland. Women are at a higher risk of developing thyroid disease as opposed to men.

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland at the bottom of the neck. It produces hormones that support crucial body functions, including maintaining heart rate, metabolism, brain development and temperature.

For people with thyroid disease, this gland starts to malfunction. It increases or reduces the production of the necessary hormones, causing an imbalance and resulting in a range of health issues.  

Types of Thyroid Disease

The thyroid gland produces two main hormones in the body: T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine). Both these hormones are responsible for regulating your bodily functions. An increase or drop in their production can result in the following types of thyroid diseases -

• Hypothyroidism- This type of thyroid disease occurs when the body's hormone production is insufficient to support the necessary body functions. As a result, your metabolism slows down, resulting in sudden and excessive weight gain and reduced energy, among other symptoms and health risks.
• Hyperthyroidism- ​This type of thyroid disease occurs when the thyroid gland produces an increased amount of necessary hormones. Due to this additional hormone production, the metabolism becomes hyperactive, resulting in significant weight loss rapidly, among other symptoms and health risks.

If the right treatment is not taken on time, hyperthyroidism can result in pregnancy complications, osteoporosis, and cancer.

Thyroid Disease Causes and Other Risk Factors/Who is at Risk?

Major Causes of Thyroid

• Autoimmune Diseases- Many autoimmune disorders, such as Grave’s or Hashimoto's, are some of the common causes of thyroid disease.
• Genetics- Having a family history of hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism can result in an increased risk of developing this disease.
• Type 1 or 2 Diabetes - Type 2 diabetes can negatively impact the thyroid gland. This is because the medicines for diabetes increase the body’s insulin resistance, which directly impacts the risk of thyroid.
• Medications- Certain types of medications interfere with thyroid functions, increasing the risk of thyroid disease.
• High or Low Iodine- Iodine is a crucial requirement for optimum hormone production, and an increase or decrease in iodine can result in thyroid diseases.
• Pregnancy- Women face a lot of hormonal disbalance during pregnancy, which can impact their thyroid function, resulting in a higher risk of developing thyroid disease.
• Goitre- This condition causes the thyroid gland to enlarge, resulting in the formation of additional nodules in and around it. However, it does not impact hormone production and can be treated easily.
• Thyroiditis - Thyroiditis is a condition that causes inflammation in the thyroid gland, which can result in pain, swelling, and other discomfort.

People Who Have Higher Risk Factors for Thyroid

• Women- In general, thyroid disease is more common for women than men.
• Older People- As people age, their risk of thyroid disease increases as their bodies become more prone to unexpected health conditions.
• People with a Family History of Thyroid Disease- Anyone with a family history of thyroid disease is at a higher risk of thyroid disease.
• People with Autoimmune Disorders- People with autoimmune disorders such as diabetes or arthritis have a higher risk of thyroid.

Thyroid Symptoms

Hypothyroidism Symptoms

• Constipation
• Feeling cold
• Lack of energy
• Sudden weight gain
• Lack of energy
• Difficulty in concentrating
• Reduced memory
• Hoarseness in voice
• Dryness

Hyperthyroidism Symptoms

• Sudden weight loss
• Increased heart rate
• Lower heat tolerance
• Anxiety
• Irritation
• Troubled sleeping
• Increased appetite

How Is Thyroid Disease Diagnosed?

• Medical History- The first thing a doctor does to check if you have thyroid is assess your detailed medical history. This includes evaluating your family’s history with thyroid, your current symptoms and the medicines you consume regularly.
• Physical Exam- Another test that a doctor performs is a physical examination. In this, the doctor checks for any enlargement around your neck and monitors your heart rate.
• Lab Tests - The most common way to check whether you have normal thyroid levels is through a blood test. This test measures your T3, T4 and TSH levels along with the presence of thyroid antibodies to diagnose the disease.
• Imaging Tests- Sometimes, imaging tests such as ultrasound or scan are performed to detect abnormalities in the thyroid gland.
• Biopsy- If an unusual thyroid nodule is detected, a biopsy is performed to extract a sample and examine it under a microscope. This is done to rule out the possibility of cancer.

Thyroid Disease Treatment

• Medication- In most cases, medicines are prescribed to patients with thyroid problems to help slow down the impact of hyper or hypothyroidism on their bodies by regulating proper hormone levels.
• Surgery- In cases where thyroid disease has converted into a cancerous nodule, surgery is recommended to remove the nodule or the entire thyroid gland to reverse the negative impact of the disease and reduce the risk of the cancer spreading through the body.
• Radioactive Iodine Treatment- This is an oral medication that helps destroy parts of your thyroid gland and shrink its size slowly. This lowers the accelerated hormone levels for optimum thyroid function.

How To Prevent Thyroid Disease? 

• Eat a Healthy Diet- Consume a diet rich in vitamin D and iodine to ensure you get the right quantity of nutrients. Moreover, limit your consumption of processed or junk foods to keep your health in check.
• Get Regular Check-Ups- Get regular check-ups if you notice any early signs of thyroid disease, especially if you have a family history of thyroid disease.
• Manage your Stress Levels- Practice activities that help relieve stress, including yoga or meditation.
• Maintain a Healthy Weight- To keep your weight and health on track, participate in some form of physical activity on a daily basis.
• Take Iodine Supplements - If you have an iodine deficiency, consult your doctor and get the necessary supplements prescribed to manage your iodine levels.

Living With Thyroid Disease

If you have thyroid, here are some tips to live with the disease while working on your well-being.

• Keep an eye out for the various symptoms of thyroid, especially if you notice the condition getting worse.
• Stick to your treatment plan, especially the prescribed medicines, to ensure you are treating your thyroid correctly.
• Consult your doctor for regular check-ups to stay updated on the progress of your recovery.
• Consume healthy food and a balanced diet to manage your weight and stress.
• Get ample sleep, a minimum of 8-9 hours a day, to help your body respond better to the prescribed treatment.

When Should I See My Healthcare Provider?

• If you witness a sudden weight loss or gain.
• If you are getting too cold or too hot on random occasions.
• If you feel an increased or decreased heart rate.
• If you witness extreme dryness.
• If you have an irregular menstrual cycle.
• If you are a female and witness excessive facial hair growth.
• If you notice a lump or unexplained swelling around your thyroid gland or neck.

When Should I Go to the ER?

• If you are having severe difficulty breathing.
• If you have a high fever for a prolonged period.
• If you notice a very high heart rate.
• If you are facing severe pain in your chest.
• If the swelling around your neck is significantly large and painful.
• If you are losing or gaining excessive weight overnight or quickly.

What Questions Should I Ask My Doctor?

• Will the prescribed medicines for thyroid disease react with the other regular medicines I take?
• Is there any alternative treatment option other than surgery for my thyroid?
• Are thyroid treatments covered under my health plan?
• How frequently should I get my thyroid levels checked?
• What is the estimated thyroid test price in India?
• Will I have to live with thyroid disease all my life?
• Are there any side effects from taking thyroid medicines or surgery?
• What signs should I look out for to assess if the given thyroid treatment is working for me?

Why Buy a Medical Insurance Plan for Thyroid?

Reliance Health Plans for Thyroid Disease

Most plans offered by Reliance General cover thyroid disease. However, some policies may exclude this disease if it is a pre-existing condition. Thus, you must remember to check the policy document to assess the scope of coverage and claim eligibility before the final purchase.

The list of Reliance Health Plans includes -

*We advise you to review individual policy wordings and check with us to confirm specific eligibility for Thyroid coverage.

How to Buy Reliance General Insurance's Health Insurance?

• Step 1- Visit the Reliance General Insurance home page.
• Step 2- Select “Explore Products” → “Health Insurance”  and then add the required details, including your full name, mobile number and area PIN code.
• Step 3- Once done, accept the terms and conditions and click on “View Prices”.
• Step 4- All health plans will be displayed on the screen. Carefully read the policy documents of each plan to check the scope of coverage for thyroid disease and make the final decision.
• Step 5- Once you select a plan, add your personal information, choose the required sum insured amount, and combine add-ons if needed.  
• Step 6- Based on your details and selected plan, a premium quote will be displayed on the screen. If it is good to go, make the premium payment to buy the chosen health insurance for thyroid.

Documents Needed to Buy Reliance General Insurance's Medical Insurance Plan

• Proof of Identity, such as your Aadhaar card, passport, voter ID, etc.
• Proof of address, such as your Aadhaar card, utility bills, rental agreement, etc.
• Proof of age, such as your birth certificate, Aadhaar card, PAN card, etc.
• All relevant medical documents, such as thyroid test reports, doctor prescriptions, etc.
• Proof of completion of C-KYC as per the IRDAI guidelines.

Things to Remember Before Buying and Filing a Claim for Thyroid Disease Insurance

Before Buying Thyroid Insurance

• Understand your Requirements—The first step is to assess your coverage requirements for thyroid disease. This is a crucial step as it helps you better plan your medical treatments.
• Fix a Budget - Before you begin exploring, set a budget for buying health insurance for thyroid problems and shortlist plans that are within your budget.
• Compare Different Plans- Compare different health plans that offer thyroid coverage to choose the plan that meets your coverage needs and budget.
• Be Transparent - When purchasing any plan, be clear about your pre-existing health concerns to avoid unnecessary claim rejections.
• Check Insurer’s Claim Convenience and Ratio - Evaluate the claim process offered by your chosen insurer and check the insurer’s claim settlement ratio. This will help you choose an insurer that offers quick and efficient claim settlements.
• Read Policy Wordings- Carefully read the policy document to understand the specific policy terms, claim eligibility, and waiting period.

Before Filing a Claim under Thyroid Insurance

• Maintain All Records- Document all your medical records, prescriptions, diagnostic test reports, and other papers related to thyroid disease.
• Check the Insurer’s Claim Process- Evaluate the available claim process to ensure you do not struggle during medical emergencies.
• Check Claim Timeline- Understand the claim timeline offered by the insurer to file timely claims for quicker settlements.
• Read Policy Terms - Read the policy document to Cross-check your eligibility to file the required claim. This will help avoid claim delays and rejections.
• Complete Claim Forms - Ensure you submit the required claim forms on time with accurate information.  

Conclusion

If not treated on time, thyroid disease can result in serious health concerns in the long run. Moreover, depending on the severity of the disease, the financial burden of the necessary treatment can be overwhelming for most people.

However, with the right health insurance for thyroid patients, you can protect yourself and your savings during medical emergencies related to thyroid. Reliance General offers comprehensive health plans that cover thyroid treatment.

In addition, you benefit from cashless claim convenience, customisation flexibility with a range of add-ons, affordable premiums, a 100% claim settlement ratio, and more.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the thyroid test price?

  The price of a thyroid test can vary depending on the number of tests performed and the location where the test is completed. However, the range is between ₹300 and ₹1500.

• What are some health concerns I might face due to my thyroid disease?

  Some other lifestyle diseases that can develop due to thyroid disease include cardiovascular disorders, mental health issues, metabolic syndrome, and reproductive health.

• Is it possible to live a normal life after being diagnosed with thyroid disease?

  Yes, with proper treatment and care, people with thyroid disease can easily lead normal lives. However, to encourage better recovery, you must ensure proper consumption of the prescribed medicines and a healthy diet.

• What type of foods should I include in my diet to tackle thyroid disease?

  To combat thyroid disease, you must include vegetables, lean protein, iodine-rich foods, fruits, and whole grains.

• Can you list some factors that affect thyroid insurance premiums?

  Factors such as age, choice of health insurance provider, sum insured amount, combined add-ons, policy tenure, and pre-existing health concerns can all impact your thyroid insurance premiums.

Disclaimers:

*T&C Apply. For more details on risk factors, terms conditions, brochure, and exclusions, please read the policy wording and CIS carefully before concluding a sale.

The total no. of customers insured data is for FY24 and has been picked up from the number of lives insured for Health, Personal Accident, Overseas Travel, Domestic Travel, Workmen Compensation and Crop Insurance, Weather LOB & Fire LOB provided by IRDAI count that is master policy count. Other than these LOBs, we have also provided data for the number of certificates issued.

This is the overall claim settlement ratio for FY 2023-24 without claim outstanding at the start of the financial year as per public disclosure of Reliance General Insurance Co. Ltd.

The premium mentioned is excluding taxes for single person aged between 5 years to 20 years with individual health policy for Sum Insured of ₹3 lakhs considering no adverse health conditions/pre-existing disease/medical conditions with waiting period of 3 years. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings. Premium used is 2,919/year converted into a month which gives us Rs.243/month (2,919/12).

The details mentioned above are for Reliance Health Infinity Insurance UIN: RELHLIP23120V042223.

The details mentioned above are for the Reliance Health Gain Policy. Reliance Health Gain UIN: RELHLIP22229V032122.

The details mentioned above are for Reliance Health Super Top Up. UIN- RELHLIP21617V012021.

Details mentioned above are for Reliance Health Global UIN: IRDAN103RP0001V01202324.

Tax benefits are subject to conditions under Section 80D of the Act and amendments thereof. The tax laws are subject to amendments/changes from time to time. Please consult your tax advisor for details.