Understanding Anaemia: Causes, Symptoms, and How Insurance Helps

Haemoglobin, a protein found in red blood cells, carries oxygen throughout your body. Anaemia is a condition where your body struggles to produce enough healthy red blood cells or when these cells do not contain enough haemoglobin. As a result, oxygen delivery to your organs is compromised. This leads to fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath—all common anaemia symptoms. 

In India, anaemia is a significant concern. According to a recent National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) of 2019–21, over half (57%) of women of reproductive age (WRA) suffered from anaemia. While it can affect anyone, young children, pregnant women, and menstruating women are particularly at risk.

Read on to learn all about anaemia and how health insurance for anaemia can help.

Types of Anaemia

Anaemia has various forms, each with its own cause. While some types are mild and easily managed, others can be more serious. Here are the different types:

• Aplastic anaemia: This rare and severe condition occurs when the bone marrow doesn’t produce enough red blood cells.
• Iron-deficiency anaemia: This is the most prevalent type, often arising from insufficient iron intake or blood loss.
• Vitamin deficiency anaemia: Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency can lead to this form.
• Sickle cell anaemia: This inherited disorder causes red blood cells to become sickle-shaped, which hinders oxygen flow.
• Thalassaemia: This is another inherited condition that affects haemoglobin production.

Causes of Anaemia

Several factors can contribute to the development of anaemia. Some of the common causes are:

• Iron deficiency: This can be due to insufficient iron intake, blood loss (heavy menstrual periods, ulcers), or inability to absorb iron (intestinal issues).
• Vitamin deficiencies: Lack of vitamin B12 (found in animal products) or folate (present in leafy greens) can lead to anaemia.
• Blood loss: Heavy menstrual bleeding, ulcers, or internal bleeding can deplete red blood cells.
• Bone marrow problems: Conditions affecting bone marrow, like aplastic anaemia or some cancers, can hinder red blood cell production.
• Chronic diseases: Certain chronic illnesses, like kidney disease or rheumatoid arthritis, can contribute to anaemia.
• Genetics: Sickle cell anaemia and thalassaemia are examples of inherited anaemias.

Anaemia Symptoms

While the exact anaemia symptoms will depend on its cause and severity, some common ones include:

• Fatigue.
• Weakness.
• Shortness of breath.
• Pale or yellowish skin.
• Dizziness or lightheadedness.
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat.
• Chest pain.
• Cold hands and feet.
• Frequent headaches.

If you experience several of these anaemia symptoms for two weeks or more, consult your healthcare provider for a diagnosis. Timely detection and treatment can help prevent complications.

Anaemia Treatment

There isn’t a single treatment for everyone with anaemia. A customised plan of action follows diagnosis. 

Common medications include iron supplements to rebuild stores for deficiency anaemia and vitamin B12 or folate supplements to address deficiencies. Dietary changes include increasing your intake of iron-rich or B12/folate-rich foods. Medications like erythropoietin stimulate red blood cell production. For deficient levels, blood transfusions can replace missing cells directly. If there’s an underlying cause like bleeding or bone marrow problems, surgery might be needed to fix it.

Health Insurance for Anaemia

The cost of anaemia treatment in India depends on several factors, including:

• The type and severity of the condition.
• Anaemia symptoms.
• Type of treatment required (medications, blood transfusions, etc.).
• Hospitalisation required (if any).

However, costs can range anywhere from a few thousand rupees for medications to lakhs for hospitalisation and specialised treatments like blood transfusions, immunosuppressive drugs, or even bone marrow transplants.

Health insurance plans generally don’t cover the costs of milder forms of anaemia. They do cover treatments for severe anaemia, such as aplastic anaemia, thalassaemia, or sickle cell anaemia. Health insurance for anaemia patients for such types can include coverage for:

• Hospitalisation expenses required for procedures or blood transfusions.
• Doctor or specialist consultation fees.
• Diagnostic tests, like blood tests.
• Some or all prescribed medications for anaemia treatment, depending upon the policy.

Before getting health insurance, if you’ve already been diagnosed with anaemia, it could be seen as a pre-existing condition. This might mean waiting a certain amount of time (anywhere from 30 days to two years) before your insurance covers its treatment. You cannot claim treatment for a pre-existing condition during this period. Some plans exclude specific treatments or complications arising from anaemia. The coverage might be further subject to deductibles or co-pays. So, you must carefully read the policy wording to understand what’s covered and excluded.

The health insurance claim process for anaemia can be done in two ways. Cashless claims allow you to get hospitalised without paying upfront. The insurer pays the hospital directly, but only at network hospitals. Otherwise, you can pay for treatment and file a reimbursement claim later. You need to notify your insurer about your hospitalisation, submit medical documents and bills, and wait for them to verify and settle the claim based on your policy coverage.

Key Takeaways

Anaemia, a widespread blood condition, can strike anyone. While fatigue can feel normal, persistent anaemia symptoms warrant a doctor’s visit. Health insurance often covers critical diagnoses and treatments. With proper care and insurance, most people with anaemia can live healthy, active lives. With the support of platforms like PhonePe, you can find health insurance plans that cover anaemia treatments, helping you manage the condition without financial stress.