HomeHealth Star Health Insurance Launches India’s First Insurance Policy in Braille

Star Health Insurance Launches India’s First Insurance Policy in Braille

by Richa
Health Insurance
Star Health and Allied Insurance has launched a Braille version of its insurance policy to empower visually impaired individuals in India enabling them to independently access health insurance information.

In addition to this Star Health is spearheading a financial inclusivity initiative by providing visually impaired individuals the chance to become health insurance agents. This program focuses on training and upskilling members of this marginalized community allowing them to earn an income while working from home. Through these efforts Star Health aims to enhance accessibility and create meaningful employment opportunities for the visually impaired.
Anand Roy MD & CEO of Star Health Insurance emphasized the company’s dedication to expanding health insurance accessibility including for the 34 million visually impaired individuals in India.

He highlighted that this commitment is in line with the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India’s (IRDAI) vision of ‘Insurance for All By focusing on inclusive coverage Star Health Insurance aims to support not only comprehensive health protection but also financial empowerment for those who have been traditionally underserved in the insurance sector.
This initiative underscores their broader mission of equitable access to insurance services.

The Braille policy developed in collaboration with the National Association of the Blind (NAB) offers essential medical treatments and support services specifically for people with disabilities.

This comprehensive coverage is often unavailable to this community. At the launch event Srikanth Bolla, Co-Founder of Bollant Industries voiced his enthusiasm for the initiative. Special Care Gold is more than just an insurance policy it represents a significant step towards genuine inclusivity,” he remarked.

Bolla a visually impaired entrepreneur has become a licensed health insurance agent with Star Health. This initiative also features fully funded exam preparations for new agents including audio training and scribe assistance. Additionally a dedicated hotline will provide continuous support for agents with disabilities, ensuring they have the resources and assistance needed to succeed in their roles.
The ‘Special Care Gold’ policy is crafted to address the specific needs of persons with disabilities (PWD). According to a 2017 report from the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, there are 34 million visually impaired individuals in India representing 2.5% of the population.

Additionally a 2022 study by the Indian Journal of Ophthalmology estimated that vision impairment results in an economic loss of INR 646 billion in productivity equating to a per capita loss of INR 9,192. The Special Care Gold policy aims to fill a critical gap in health coverage for this underserved demographic.
It reflects Star Health Insurance’s dedication to providing quality healthcare access to all including those with often-overlooked conditions.
Star Health Insurance is committed to offering comprehensive support to new recruits through this initiative. This includes fully funded exam preparations audio training and scribe assistance for PWD candidates.
A dedicated hotline has been established to provide ongoing support and address any concerns that arise.


It includes essential medical treatments and support services designed to meet the unique requirements of this community. The initiative underscores Star Health Insurance’s commitment to inclusivity and the provision of equitable healthcare solutions for all segments of society.

About Star Health and Allied Insurance:

Health Insurance

Star Health Insurance (BSE: 543412 ; NSE: STARHEALTH) is a leading standalone health insurer in India, established in 2006. The company provides a range of insurance products, including Health, Personal Accident and Travel Insurance with specialized coverage for cancer, diabetes, cardiac conditions, senior citizens, women and children.

With a vast distribution network that includes 887 offices over 30,000 healthcare providers, 718,000 agents and strong bancassurance partnerships, Star Health stands out as the first insurer in India to settle over 1 crore claims. In FY24 the company reported a gross written premium of ₹15,254 crore and a net worth of ₹6,339 crore.

What is Health Insurance :

Like other forms of insurance it operates on the principle of risk sharing among a large group of people. By assessing the overall risk and potential health care costs within a risk pool insurers can establish a financial structure such as a monthly premium or payroll tax to fund the healthcare benefits outlined in the insurance policy.

The management of these benefits is typically handled by a central organization, which could be a government agency a private company or a not-for-profit entity.
The Health Insurance Association of America defines health insurance as “coverage that provides for the payment of benefits in the event of sickness or injury.” This includes coverage for losses resulting from accidents ,medical expenses, disabilities, or accidental death and dismemberment.

Through this system individuals can mitigate the financial impact of medical issues by sharing the risk with others in the insurance pool.

Types of Health Insurance ?

Health Insurance
Health insurance provides coverage for medical expenses incurred by an individual. The premium for this type of insurance is influenced by factors such as the person’s age and medical history.
Family Floater Policy : This plan extends coverage to the entire family functioning similarly to an individual insurance policy but with a higher premium that is shared among family members. It offers a cost-effective solution by consolidating coverage into one plan eliminating the need to manage multiple individual health insurance policies.
Insurance for Senior Citizens : Specifically tailored for individuals over 60 years of age these policies account for the higher likelihood of frequent health issues among older adults. Consequently premiums are generally higher. However these policies often do not require pre-medical screenings or consider pre-existing conditions acknowledging the common health challenges associated with aging.
Critical Illness Insurance : This policy is designed to cover treatment for severe and
life-threatening conditions such as heart attacks, kidney disorders, paralysis and cancer.
Upon diagnosis of a covered illness a lump sum payment is provided to the insured regardless of hospitalization Individuals with a history of illness can also qualify for this type of coverage.
Personal Accident Insurance : This insurance covers claims resulting from accidents addressing three specific events partial disability total disability and death due to an accident. It provides financial support in the event of such accidents, ensuring that the insured or their beneficiaries receive compensation.
Maternity Insurance : This policy covers expenses related to prenatal and postnatal care, delivery and ambulance services. Some plans also include coverage for expenses incurred after the baby’s birth for a specified period. Maternity insurance is often recommended to be taken out after marriage or as an add-on to an existing health insurance plan providing comprehensive coverage for the costs associated with childbirth and early childcare.

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