To Provide Insurance to Type 1 Diabetic Patients in India

In India, millions of people living with diabetes—especially Type 1—depend on insulin, pumps, continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), test strips, and other essential supplies to survive. Yet, health insurance policies and government schemes like Ayushman Bharat only cover hospitalization costs and not these life-saving medical consumables. The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) currently allows insurers to exclude glucometers, strips, and related devices, forcing families to bear the entire cost out-of-pocket. With less than 20% of Indians covered under any form of health insurance, and the majority of expenses already paid from personal savings, this situation is unsustainable. Patient testimonies consistently highlight that “no insurance company reimburses test strips, insulin, pumps or CGMs,” leaving families financially burdened. Covering diabetes medical supplies under insurance is therefore not only a medical necessity but also a matter of fairness, equality, and survival.