A recent national survey has raised serious concerns about the exclusion of disabled people from health insurance coverage in India. Conducted by the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP) between 2023 and 2025, the survey gathered data from over 5,000 disabled individuals across various parts of the country. The findings are troubling, showing that approximately 80% of India’s 160 million disabled citizens lack access to health insurance.
Even more alarming is the fact that, among those who do apply for insurance, about 53% are denied coverage without clear explanation or justification. This situation highlights the significant barriers disabled people face when trying to access essential health services. The survey, titled “Inclusive Health Coverage for All: Disability, Discrimination, and Health Insurance in India”, underscores the systemic discrimination that persists in the health insurance industry, particularly during the application process.
From the very first step of seeking coverage, disabled individuals are met with discrimination. Insurance companies continue to view disability as a ‘risk’ in their underwriting policies, leading to biased decisions. People with conditions such as autism, psychosocial disabilities, intellectual disabilities, or blood disorders like thalassemia, are often denied insurance, with their disabilities or pre-existing health conditions being cited as the primary reason.
The use of digital insurance platforms has also been a point of concern. Disabled individuals, especially those with visual or hearing impairments, or intellectual disabilities, often struggle to navigate these platforms. Websites and mobile applications frequently fail to provide adequate support for screen readers, making it almost impossible for many disabled users to access or understand the information. Furthermore, there is a lack of alternative support systems to help those who need assistance.
Another major issue highlighted by the survey is the widespread lack of awareness about available government or private insurance schemes among disabled citizens. The report indicates that barriers such as information gaps, linguistic complexities, and a lack of accessible communication channels further alienate disabled people from health insurance.
Arman Ali, the Executive Director of NCPEDP, has referred to the findings as a stark portrayal of the structural inequality that exists within India’s health and insurance sectors. According to Ali, despite the existence of laws like the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act of 2016, and the guidelines issued by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), disabled people still face deep-rooted discrimination and exclusion when it comes to securing health insurance.
The survey also criticises the recent decision to expand the Ayushman Bharat scheme, a government health insurance programme for the elderly, to cover citizens aged 70 and above. The report argues that this decision is flawed as it does not explicitly prioritise people with disabilities, who are often at higher health risk than the elderly, both physically and mentally. Disabled individuals remain ‘invisible citizens’ in policymaking, with little representation or recognition in health policy discussions.
To address these issues, the survey offers several key recommendations. First, it calls for the immediate inclusion of all disabled individuals in the Ayushman Bharat scheme, without any income or age restrictions. The report also advocates for the inclusion of mental health services, rehabilitation, therapies, and assistive technologies (such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, and communication devices) within the scope of health insurance coverage. These elements are critical for ensuring a dignified and independent life for people with disabilities.
Additionally, the survey urges the creation of a “Disability Inclusion Committee” within the IRDAI, responsible for reflecting the needs and experiences of disabled people in the development of insurance policies and underwriting guidelines. The report also stresses the need for mandatory disability-sensitivity training for insurance companies, agents, third-party administrators (TPAs), and healthcare workers to ensure that disabled individuals are treated with respect and their needs are properly addressed.
India’s health insurance system must undergo substantial reform to ensure that disabled people are treated fairly and equitably. Only through structural changes and targeted policy action can the nation ensure that disabled individuals are not left behind in the quest for accessible healthcare.