New Delhi, Sept. 1 -- Health insurance has become central to the financial planning of Indian households over the past few years. The covid-19 pandemic was a turning point, underscoring the critical role of insurance in shielding families from medical shocks.

While awareness and intent to insure have certainly grown since then, the perceived unaffordability of health coverage remains a challenge. Premiums for comprehensive plans have seen a measured increase, reflecting both medical inflation and advances in treatment quality. For many families - particularly in the middle-income segment - the cumulative cost of insuring ageing parents or dependants is beginning to feel like a major annual commitment.

Even when justified, such expenses ...