The risk of heart disease is increasing in people over the age of 20, causing health insurance premiums to rise. |
Mumbai: Heart disease is no longer a problem of old age. It is now affecting youth, even those in their 20s. Due to this increasing risk, health insurance premiums are also increasing. Young adults are being asked to pay much higher premiums than before.
A recent report from Bengaluru-based insurtech company Plum shows worrying data. One in three cardiac claims in 2025 was above Rs 1.25 lakh. In about 10 percent of cases, the condition was serious and required ICU care or surgery. In such a situation the expenditure exceeded Rs 5 lakh.
The study analyzed 9,534 cardiovascular claims worth Rs 148 crore. It also reviewed data from more than 12,000 health checks. Nearly 60 percent of heart-related claims require surgery, causing the cost of treatment to rise sharply.
The risk starts early
According to Saurabh Arora, co-founder and CTO of Plum, heart disease can no longer be viewed as a disease of old age. Claims data show the risk now begins as early as age 20.
About 46 percent of all chronic disease claims are related to heart problems. Hospitalization rates among people above 40 years of age are increasing by about 10 percent every year. People who are already identified as high risk face higher premiums. For people who already suffer from serious heart problems, purchasing new insurance may be difficult and some applications may even be rejected.
The cost of treatment is very high
In some cases the cost of serious heart treatment can range between Rs 20 lakh to Rs 28 lakh. This quickly exhausts insurance coverage limits. One in six serious heart patients require ICU care or complex procedures.
In simple cases, the treatment costs around Rs 63,000. However, stenting can cost Rs 2.5 lakh or more, while bypass surgery can cost Rs 3.2 lakh or more.
Insurance companies became strict
Insurance companies are now more cautious. Before approving policies, they closely examine cholesterol levels, blood pressure, inflammation and metabolic markers. These are seen as warning signs of future heart risk.
One in three individual insurance applicants face a 10-50 percent premium increase if their cardiovascular risk is high. About one in five applicants is rejected outright.
Young people in their late 20s and early 30s are also facing higher base premiums and longer waiting periods. Experts suggest getting regular health checkups and purchasing insurance early, as delaying it can make coverage more expensive later.