The cost of hospitalisation in India soared 12.8 percent in 2023-2024 compared to the previous financial year, according to an analysis of health insurance claims by ACKO General Insurance. Healthcare inflation in India stands at 14 percent now.
The average claim size in India for 2023-24 was Rs 70,558, up from Rs 62,548 in the previous financial year, reflecting the broader surge in healthcare expenses. The average claim size for women was lower at Rs 69,553 compared to Rs 77,543 for men. These figures do not take maternity claims into account.
Escalation in angioplasty, kidney transplant costs
Not surprisingly, the costs of common medical procedures have risen, with angioplasty now entailing expenses of Rs 2-3 lakh compared to Rs 1-1.5 lakh in 2018. “Moreover, projections suggest that the cost could reach Rs 6-7 lakh by 2030,” ACKO said in a statement.
Similarly, kidney transplant costs have doubled from Rs 5-8 lakh in 2018 to Rs 10-15 lakh in 2024. According to the company, this could further jump to Rs 20 lakh in the next six years.
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Cancer, a growing health risk for Indians
The study, which analysed nearly 60,000 claims received by the company, indicated that those in the 41-50 year age group are at higher risk for cancer. According to the data, the number of hospitalisations for treatment of neoplasms – that is, tumours that may or may not be cancerous – is 2.8 times higher for those in the 41-50 year age group compared to those in the 31-40 year age group. “The average age of a person diagnosed with breast cancer in India is 52 compared to 63 for the US and Europe. For lung cancer, the average age of a person is 59 compared to 70 in the West. Around 30 percent of colon cancer patients in India are under the age of 50,” the report said.
Over 40? Watch out for heart ailments
These findings do not come as a surprise and there is a growing realisation that the risk of heart disease increases with age and such patients are, alarmingly, getting younger. As per ACKO claims data, those in the 41-50 year age group account for 6.88 percent of claims pertaining to heart conditions, while those in the younger age bands (31-40 years) make up 2.24 percent of such hospitalisations. “It has been reported that Indians have a 20-50 percent higher coronary artery disease (CAD) mortality than other nationalities owing to dietary habits, lifestyle and genetic predisposition. According to the Global Burden of Disease Study, heart disease is the leading cause of death among women in India, accounting for almost 18 percent of all female deaths, which is sadly, higher than that of breast cancer and other cancers combined,” ACKO said in its analysis.
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Stark difference in share of C-section deliveries in govt, private centres
In private hospitals, 69 percent of maternity claims are related to caesarean section deliveries, with the balance being ‘normal’ deliveries. The scenario is just the opposite in the case of deliveries at government healthcare facilities. “Studies indicate that there is also a difference in the percentage of C-section deliveries between public and private medical institutions. C-section births only account for 22 percent of deliveries in government institutions,” ACKO said.
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