Satyarth Prakash Nayak, New Delhi: A tag line of Star Health and Allied Insurance Company Limited goes thus- "Living with diabetes can still be sweet."

The tagline has broken new ground in health insurance by offering exclusive schemes for diabetes.

With India all set to become the global diabetes capital, insurance companies are now all set to woo the increasing number of patients.

"People already having diabetes can be covered under the policy. There are two policies. There are three basic tests and bases on that we will give the cover," says Area Manager, Star Health, Ashok Tandon.

Being a name policy, it does not benefit children of the patient. And only three specific conditions come under the policy's coverage area.

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"Diabetic patients are susceptible to three major diseases including diabetic retinopathy, kidney failure and ulcer foot. So if a diabetic patient suffers from these diseases after taking the policy then the cost of the treatment is given to them," says Tandon.

ICICI Prudential also offers insurance against diabetes. The scheme covers patients of age group 25 to 60 and also caters only to type 2 diabetes patients. Unlike Star Health, the ICICI policy also covers pre-diabetics.

A quick comparative glance shows that:

• Star Health Premium ranges from Rs 805 to Rs 10945.
• Sum insured ranges from Rs 50,000 to Rs 5,00000.

And special benefits include doctor on call, hospitalisation expenses of donor kidney in case of renal transplant and expenses of second transplant if first one fails.

ICICI on the other hand, has a premium ranging from Rs 11,250 to Rs 16,730 Sum insured starts from 3 lakhs and goes up to 10 lakhs.

And special benefits include tax benefit under Sec 80D, free doctor check-ups, reduced premiums in case of improvement in health and coverage of critical illnesses including heart attack, bypass, cancer, stroke, organ transplant, limb amputation and laser treatment.

"About 40-50 per cent of policies of diabetes have been issued ever since we started it. The number is increasing is increasing as we move on because people are becoming more aware of it through FM and the news as well,” says Asst Manager, Star Health, Priyanka Jaiswal.

And to make claims process simple, while Star provides a 24-hour helpline, ICICI does not ask for proofs of medical bills.

And if the premium still worries you, here is what Endocrinologist, MAX, Dr Rakesh Prasad, says, "Considering the fact that diabetes is a long standing disease. A higher premium and covering all the aspects of the disease will be a good option."

With diabetes insurance being available in India, its high that you also understand what it is all about.