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Why Health Insurance Coverage Including Benign Brain Tumour is Important

By Vikas Chandra Das
17 November 2022, 1:21 PM

Brain tumours found early can be completely cured with appropriate brain tumour treatment. Still, even when diagnosed at an advanced stage of a brain tumour, treatment can help reduce the size of the tumour and slow its progression, thereby prolonging the patient's life.

Unlike  cancerous tumours, non-cancerous brain tumours, like benign tumours, stay in one place and do not spread. So the good thing is that benign brain tumours usually do not recur after resection. Most benign brain tumours are detected by CT or MRI scans. These noncancerous tumours grow slowly and rarely progress to cancerous or metastatic tumours.

Brain tumours are covered by health insurance in India. These cover medical expenses incurred during brain tumour surgery. It also covers hospital costs, intensive care unit costs, ambulance costs, pre-hospital costs, post-hospital costs, and other medical costs incurred during  brain tumour surgery. The level of coverage may vary by policy. Also, every year, new highly technological treatments are  discovered  to treat brain tumours in the best  possible way.

Firstly, let's look at the different types of benign brain tumour;

  • Meningioma - a tumour that arises from a membrane and covers the brain and spinal cord
  • Pituitary Adenoma - Pituitary tumour
  • Schwannomas - tumours of the 8th cranial nerve derived from Schwann cells
  • Craniopharyngioma - a cystic tumour formed from cellular debris within Rathke's pouch, usually seen in children
  • Hemangioblastoma – a mass of vascular tissue, sometimes cystic
  • Choroid Plexus Papilloma – a mass of tissue in the choroid plexus that blocks the flow of cerebrospinal fluid, usually found in children 

Treatment of benign brain tumours depends on the patient's age, the location and size of the tumour, and the patient's general health.

Benign brain tumours are often treated with corticosteroids and other drugs that reduce edema (swelling) and help the brain heal, but also brain surgery (craniotomy), in which the tumour is surgically removed. Radiation therapy (conventional radiation, gamma knife, proton beams) can be used in addition to surgery for some disorders.

Cost Involved in Benign Brain Tumour Treatment

In general, the treatment cost for benign brain tumours ranges from INR 40,000-80,000. Again, the total cost of  treatment depends on the size, type, and location of the tumour. If you're worried about the cost of treating a benign brain tumour, know that you can save a lot of money if you have critical illness insurance that covers benign brain tumours.

If you want to insure the treatment of benign brain tumours, choose one of the health insurance companies that offers the best health insurance for the treatment of benign brain tumours according to your medical and financial needs.

Health Insurance for Benign Brain tumour Treatment 

It is advisable to establish a critical illness plan that covers the treatment of benign brain tumours, as it provides many benefits.

If you choose such coverage, you are entitled to a lump sum payment, which is primarily paid upon diagnosis. How you spend this lump sum is up to you. So, it's up to you to use this amount for therapeutic purposes or to increase your financial security by paying off debt or making up for lost income.

Another advantage of choosing a policy is that it covers other serious diseases in addition to benign brain tumours. Also, you don't have to spend your savings or sell  assets to arrange  money at the last minute. Needless to say, your family will have peace of mind and stay away from financial hardships.

For full protection, get a critical illness plan for the treatment of benign brain tumours, even if you have existing health or occupational health insurance.

Remember, your benign brain tumour critical illness plan  also provides tax benefits under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act of 1961. 

Waiting Period 

Waiting period in health insurance refers to the total period the insured must wait from the date of issuance of the policy before being able to make a claim. Waiting period requirements vary by insurance company.

Like other health insurance, critical illness insurance has a waiting period. No claims can be made against the cover for a  period of time. It may take 1-3 months after purchase. There is a standard 90-day waiting period and significant health insurance coverage for benign brain tumours.

Our brain is the most complex part of the human body and needs protection. Life insurance is important for treating brain tumours. Otherwise, the bill will burn a huge hole in your pocket and eat away at your credit.

FAQs

1. Is brain tumour surgery covered by insurance?

For patients covered by health insurance, the typical cost of brain tumour treatment will include doctor copays, drug copays and coinsurance of 10-50% or more -- most likely reaching the yearly out-of-pocket maximum. Brain tumour treatment typically is covered by health insurance.

2. How is a brain tumour removed?

The most common type of surgery to remove a brain tumour is a craniotomy. This procedure involves making an incision in the scalp and removing a piece of bone from the skull to give the neurosurgeon access to the tumour.

3. What are the screening tests for a brain tumour?

CT or MRI can help to find out the Swelling of the optic nerves during an eye test, which can indicate that a brain tumour is present.

4. What can you not do after brain surgery?

Avoid risky activities, such as climbing a ladder, for 3 months after surgery. Avoid strenuous activities, such as bicycle riding, jogging, weight lifting, or aerobic exercise, for 3 months or until your doctor says it is okay. Do not play any rough or contact sports for 3 months or until your doctor says it is okay.

5. What are the symptoms of a brain tumour?

The symptoms of brain tumour vary from person-to-person. Normally, it depends on the type, size, location and intensity of the tumour mass. Apart from it, brain tumour symptoms are difficult to diagnose as they appear similar to signs of some other health conditions.

Some of the common symptoms of a brain tumour include:

  • Headaches those become more frequent and severe
  • Feeling intense pressure in the head
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Vision problems
  • Double vision
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