Asthma: Symptoms, Treatment, and Insurance Coverage—Essential Information for Effective Management

Respiratory diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), severe allergies, pulmonary hypertension, etc. are cases where organs of the respiratory tract get blocked or their functionality decreases. Health insurance for asthma patients makes these conditions manageable by offering support for the right care, awareness, and treatment so patients can live long and fulfilling lives.

Asthma vs. Asthma Attack

Asthma is a chronic condition that causes inflammation in the airways of the lungs. This inflammation makes the airways sensitive to allergens, irritants, and exercise. When these triggers come into contact with the airways, they cause the airways to narrow, which can lead to wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness.

An asthma attack is the sudden worsening of asthma symptoms. These attacks can be mild or severe, and they can be triggered by the same things that trigger asthma symptoms in general. During an asthma attack, the lining of the airways becomes even more inflamed, and the muscles around the airways tighten. This makes it even harder for air to flow in and out of the lungs.

Here’s an overview of asthma symptoms and symptoms of other respiratory conditions that need immediate medical attention:

Causes

Many factors contribute to the deterioration of respiratory health:

• Smoking can damage lung tissues.
• Polluted air filled with dust, allergens, and chemicals can irritate the airways and trigger inflammatory responses.
• Exposure to dust and chemicals in certain workplaces can damage the lungs.

Asthma treatment

The damage caused by these diseases is irreversible. Hence, the only form of treatment includes medications, care, and lifestyle modifications. Asthma treatment consists of many options. The first one is bronchodilators; this device helps patients relax the muscles present in the air passage and gives long-term relief.

Secondly, asthma treatment involves inhaling corticosteroids to reduce inflammation. Other treatment methods, like oxygen therapy and surgeries, are done based on the severity of the patient’s condition.

Insurance

Yes, the treatment of asthma and other respiratory diseases comes under health insurance coverage. 

Asthma treatment can cost ₹2,500 to ₹3000 but may vary according to charge of medicine, hospital fees, and consulting charges.

1. Coverage: Health insurance for asthma generally covers bills for medication, inhalers, nebulisers, oral corticosteroids, etc. But it may still depend on the type of plan you’ve selected. Other than that, every visit with the doctor for checkups is covered, and every diagnostic test is also covered by insurance for asthma patients.
   
2. Limitations and its solution: While choosing your insurance, keep in mind that in some policies, the rules are to pay out-of-pocket until the deductible amount is credited to your account. On the other hand, you may also have to copay for each doctor visit. Lastly, for refills of medications, only a fixed amount is covered by insurance monthly. Therefore, it is advisable to read your policy documents thoroughly and find if there are any such limitations, as plans can vary from product to product and also on the add-ons purchases made by the person
3. . The right insurance for asthma patients would not have any of these limitations.
4. Things to be careful about

Times in the hospital can be stressful, but under these conditions, ensure you know every condition stated and covered by your health insurance, such as deductibles, copays, and out-of-pocket expenses, to prevent extra costs.

• Waiting period- The waiting period for each policy can vary from a period of months to years, so choose accordingly.
• Pre-existing and specific illness clauses in health insurance  – Pre-existing asthma treatment may or may not be included in the policy. Hence, it is important to read your policies carefully.
• Exclusions- In some cases, insurance for asthma patients may exclude OPD treatments and specific complications arising from the condition, like COPD if it develops due to unmanaged asthma.

Key Takeaways

If you are already at the end of reading this article, we are proud of you for taking assured steps for your health. While you take care of your loved ones, let health insurance take care of your medical bills. Platforms like PhonePe can help you navigate your insurance options smoothly and efficiently.

If you have a chronic respiratory condition, exploring health insurance for asthma is a wise step. Look for plans that offer coverage for regular checkups, medications, and potential complications.