Mpox, Ebola, Covid-19, dengue — these outbreaks are now household names across the world. The frequency and intensity of such diseases are becoming more common. Jeremy Farrar, Director of Wellcome, a global health charitable foundation, says, "We are going through an era of epidemics and pandemics, and they are going to be more complex and more frequent."

As these outbreaks increase, so do medical costs. But the question is: does your health insurance cover such diseases?

The emergence of diseases like Mpox, which the WHO has declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, raises concerns similar to those seen during the Covid-19 pandemic.

"The good thing is that most standard indemnity-based health insurance policies in India will cover hospitalisation expenses incurred for treating diseases like Mpox. Indemnity policies are designed to cover a wide range of illnesses, including new and emerging infectious diseases that require hospitalisation," explains Bhaskar Nerurkar, Head of the Health Administration Team at Bajaj Allianz General Insurance.

Siddharth Singhal, Head of Health Insurance at Policybazaar.com, adds, "While there might not be exclusive plans only for emerging infectious diseases, they are all generally covered under the broader umbrella of hospitalisation under health insurance."

Nerurkar also mentions, "Some insurers may offer additional riders that enhance coverage during pandemics or epidemics, but these are not disease-specific."

So, if you have a comprehensive health insurance plan, any hospitalisations due to the Mpox virus will likely be covered by your insurer. However, as Nerurkar advises, "It’s wise to review your policy details and consult with your insurer to ensure you have comprehensive coverage for any emerging infectious disease."

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