Star Health and Allied Insurance Company, India's largest retail health insurer, has announced the launch of an industry-first insurance policy in Braille - Special Care Gold. Reinforcing Star Health Insurance’s commitment to inclusivity and accessibility, this is a significant step towards ensuring that the visually impaired and blind diaspora can access information and make independent decision on matters related to their health and finance.
The policy offers tailored coverage for individuals with 40% or more disability, including those with physical, sensory, or cognitive impairments. It covers essential medical treatments and support services.
Star Health has also launched a diversity and financial inclusivity drive to economically empower the 34 million diaspora of visually impaired/blind individuals in India with income generation opportunities. It is committed to supporting this unserved, marginalised section of society with training and upskilling to enable them to become health insurance agents with the Company.
The 'Special Care Gold' policy is specifically designed to meet the unique needs of persons with disabilities (PWD). In 2017, the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare reported that 34 million people in India, or 2.5% of the population, are visually impaired. A 2022 study by the Indian Journal of Ophthalmology estimated that vision impairment causes an economic loss of Rs 64600 crore in productivity, with a per capita loss of Rs 9192. This policy addresses a critical need for inclusive and comprehensive health coverage for this critical but unserved segment of customers.