Latest news with #YogaandNaturopathy
Mint
19-06-2025
- Health
- Mint
Why AYUSH claims keep getting rejected despite new insurance rules
Chhattisgarh-based Moin Vanak, who suffered from diabetes, hypertension, and poor digestion, turned to naturopathy for relief from persistent shoulder, knee and calf pain—as well as sleep issues. He got admitted for a 10-day in-patient treatment at a NABH-accredited facility, paying the expenses out-of-pocket despite having insurance, and later applied for reimbursement. Despite holding a valid policy, his claim was rejected. The insurance company said, "as per submitted documents, the patient was admitted primarily for diagnostic and evaluation purposes." Vanak has submitted his doctor's justification for why in-patient (IPD) care was essential, but the claim remains under dispute. "They are doing so even as the hospital is NABH-accredited," he said. As per the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai) directive issued in January 2024, all health insurance policies must cover AYUSH—Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy—treatments on par with modern medicine. While earlier policies included exclusions and sub-limits, insurers are now required to remove these. Yet, some exclusions remain. For instance, Star Health's comprehensive policy still excludes yoga and naturopathy. Niva Bupa's Reassure 2.0 plan also excludes yoga. Also read: Financial resilience: Why emergency funds are more crucial than ever Steep rejection rates Despite growing interest, many claims get rejected. 'We have spoken to a couple of AYUSH hospitals whose administration told us at least 70% insurance claims get rejected," said Shilpa Arora, co-founder & COO, Insurance Samadhan. Mumbai-based CA Mayank Gosar faced a similar situation. His parents, suffering from diabetes and digestive disorders, took a 7–8 day treatment at a NABH-accredited centre. 'There was substantial improvement in health post the treatment. They had taken panchakarma and detoxification therapies, full body acupressure, abdomen pack, neck pack, hydrotherapy and various other ayurvedic procedures," said Gosar. Gosar's mother's claim was rejected on grounds that the treatment didn't need hospitalisation. 'The doctor had clearly mentioned in the justification letter that staying in the AYUSH hospital for 7-8 days was medically necessary," he said. In his father's case, insurers kept asking for the same documents and have not processed the claim for over a year. Gosar has now approached the Insurance Ombudsman. Also read: Health insurance vs medical corpus: What should senior citizens prioritize? Faridabad-based Bhairav Vashishth's claim, initially rejected, was eventually accepted for cashless coverage. His daughter was undergoing treatment for morphea, a rare skin disease. 'After multiple rounds of back and forth and a justification by the doctor, the company accepted our request for cashless coverage," he said. What insurers say Insurance companies argue that AYUSH claims are treated like any other. 'We have observed a significant increase in the uptake of AYUSH treatments under health insurance. From FY24 to FY25, AYUSH claims rose over 30% and the amount paid grew around 48%," said Bhaskar Nerurkar, head - health administration team, Bajaj Allianz. A major challenge is the lack of standard treatment protocols. 'For the same condition, AYUSH medical management could differ greatly from allopathy. Sometimes insurers take an arbitrary stance on whether IPD was needed," said Sreejith Edamana, COO, Apollo AyurVAID. He added, 'More than 80% of our urban patients have insurance coverage, so it is critical to make the process seamless. Industry conversations to improve this are underway." Edamana also flagged CGHS pricing issues. 'Some insurers demand discounts on outdated CGHS rates last updated in 2016. This becomes a loss for everyone—patient, hospital, and insurer," he said. What patients should know Before opting for AYUSH treatment, confirm if your chosen hospital is in-network and NABH-accredited. Admission to an AYUSH hospital must be based on prior consultation and clear diagnosis by a recognised practitioner. Missing documents or unclear justification for hospitalisation often lead to claim rejection, said Bhabatosh Mishra, COO at Niva Bupa. 'You cannot simply go to an AYUSH center and get admitted. There must be a prior consultation with recognised AYUSH doctors and diagnostic reports justifying IPD treatment," he added. Hospitals must meet specific standards: at least five IPD beds, qualified practitioners available 24/7, and dedicated therapy sections. Mishra said that they have seen some AYUSH centers listed on travel aggregator websites offering a pleasant stay or organising an ayurveda retreat. "If you are a hospital treating ailments, how could you project yourself as a hotel?" he said. Also read: Life insurance is an interest area for us, says Star Health MD & CEO Anand Roy Also distinguish preventive vs curative care. 'Insurance covers treatment for disease, accident or infection. But preventive care—like managing blood sugar or BP without a formal diagnosis—may not be covered," said Bajaj's Nerurkar. Watch out for inconsistencies in hospital records. 'Sometimes the supervising doctor is qualified, but internal papers may mention someone else. That creates grounds for rejection," said Arora of Insurance Samadhan. As AYUSH gains ground, coordination between insurers and AYUSH hospitals is essential. Standardised packages and transparent billing could enable smoother, cashless claims. Curiously, even Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri-Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), the government's flagship health scheme, is yet to include AYUSH treatments in its coverage. Also read: How corporate India is quietly becoming the health insurer for your parents
Indian Express
30-04-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush: ‘India's Ayush sector registers remarkable growth, reaches $23 billion in 2024'
There has been a rising demand for AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy) products and services, with the sector registering an eightfold rise expanding from USD 2.85 billion in 2014 to an estimated USD 23 billion in 2024. 'This growth underscores the increasing global demand for traditional Indian wellness products,' Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, told The Indian Express in an exclusive interview ahead of the National Ayush Mission (NAM) conclave on May 1 and 2 at Kaivalyadham, Lonavala. To further enhance global access, the ministry is actively addressing export challenges and developing a supportive ecosystem for the international growth of Ayush products and services,' he said. Excerpts: What is the NAM conclave about on May 1 and 2? The Ministry of Ayush is organising the National Ayush Mission (NAM) conclave on May 1 and 2 at Kaivalyadhama Yoga Institute, Lonavala, under the chairmanship of Prataprao Jadhav, Minister of State (IC) for Ayush. The conclave aims for highest level discussions to chalk out future strategy of NAM, which is a centrally sponsored scheme being implemented through state/UT governments for overall development and promotion of Ayush healthcare system in the country. What are the policy discussions about? The conclave will reflect on the achievements of the NAM, address emerging challenges, and chart a path toward a self-reliant and robust Ayush healthcare system. The conclave covers diverse themes, including financial management, monitoring and evaluation, HR strengthening, integration with modern medicine, and quality assurance. It also showcases best practices, IT innovations, regulatory mechanisms and investment and export opportunities with rich experience sharing from states and UTs. What strategy is being adopted to integrate ayurveda with modern medicine practice? Mainstreaming the potential of AYUSH within a pluralistic system of healthcare is being envisioned through the new initiatives of the Ministry of Ayush in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW). The need for integrating AYUSH in the National Health Mission, research and education and strategies to meet national health goals through protocol driven integrative practices are being visualised. To further strengthen the integration of AYUSH in national public health initiatives, the Ministry of Ayush and MoHFW have jointly established a dedicated AYUSH vertical under the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). This significant step aims to ensure effective convergence of AYUSH within mainstream health programmes What is the demand for ayurvedic treatment/products abroad? The global demand for ayurvedic products and treatments is steadily rising, reflecting a growing international shift toward traditional and holistic health systems. India's AYUSH sector has seen substantial growth, with the domestic market reaching USD 43.4 billion and maintaining a CAGR of 17% between 2014 and 2020. Currently, AYUSH products are being exported to 150 countries across the globe. We are also strengthening collaborations with various countries for joint research and establishing evidence-based standards. The ministry is also working closely with the World Health Organisation (WHO) to develop the International Harmonised Protocols (IHP), which will set global quality and efficacy standards for AYUSH products. Additionally, through streamlined regulatory guidelines, quality assurance and expanded clinical research, the ministry is ensuring that AYUSH products and services meet international benchmarks, fostering wider acceptance and access worldwide.
Time of India
25-04-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Indore to get largest AYUSH hospital in division by May
Indore: Indore is set to get the division's largest AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy) hospital next month. The 50-bed AYUSH hospital, constructed in Mangliya under the Sanwer Assembly constituency of Indore, is nearing completion. To ensure the smooth operation of the hospital, cabinet minister Tulsiram Silawat recently met with AYUSH and higher education minister Inder Singh Parmar. He requested the allocation of approximately Rs 10.26 crore for various essential works, including the construction of ramps, retaining walls, procurement of equipment, development of a herbal garden and fire-fighting system, provision of furniture and a fire tank, and other necessary infrastructure. "While the civil work is complete, the installation of medical facilities and equipment is the only remaining task, which is expected to be finished soon," he said, adding that a provision was made for 10 air conditioners and an ambulance for the hospital. "The hospital will offer all modern treatment facilities, including sonography, pathology, CT scan, and X-ray diagnostic services," he said, adding that the hospital will also facilitate childbirth for pregnant women and provide treatments through Panchakarma and Yoga. In the hospital premises, a new garden has been developed while the beautification of the adjacent drain is underway.
Time of India
24-04-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Indore to get largest Ayush hospital in division in May
Indore: Indore is set to get the division's largest AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy) hospital next month. The 50-bed AYUSH hospital, constructed in Mangliya under the Sanwer Assembly constituency of Indore, is nearing completion. To ensure the smooth operation of the hospital, cabinet minister Tulsiram Silawat recently met with AYUSH and higher education minister Inder Singh Parmar. He requested the allocation of approximately Rs 10.26 crore for various essential works, including the construction of ramps, retaining walls, procurement of equipment, development of a herbal garden and fire-fighting system, provision of furniture and a fire tank, and other necessary infrastructure. "This hospital will be the largest and most well-equipped AYUSH hospital in the Indore division under the AYUSH department," Silawat said, adding that the 50-bed govt AYUSH hospital was built at a cost of approximately Rs 6 crore. "While the civil work is complete, the installation of medical facilities and equipment is the only remaining task, which is expected to be finished soon," he said, adding that a provision was made for 10 air conditioners and an ambulance for the hospital. "The hospital will offer all modern treatment facilities, including sonography, pathology, CT scan, and X-ray diagnostic services," he said, adding that the hospital will also facilitate childbirth for pregnant women and provide treatments through Panchakarma and Yoga. In the hospital premises, a new garden has been developed while the beautification of the adjacent drain is underway.
