Over 80% of Indians With Disabilities Still Lack Health Insurance: NCPEDP Report

New Delhi: A new white paper by the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP) has revealed that more than 80% of Indians with disabilities remain without any form of health insurance, exposing a massive protection gap for one of the country’s most vulnerable groups. The findings highlight how millions are left to manage medical expenses without financial security, despite existing legal safeguards.

The study, “Inclusive Health Coverage for All: Disability, Discrimination and Health Insurance in India,” is based on a large-scale national survey of over 5,000 people with disabilities across 34 states and union territories. It reports that more than half of applicants are routinely denied insurance coverage without clear justification, suggesting persistent discrimination and opaque decision-making processes within the insurance ecosystem.

Researchers found that disabled individuals face multiple barriers, including higher premium demands, exclusion of disability-related conditions, complicated documentation, and low enrolment into public schemes such as Ayushman Bharat. These challenges, the white paper notes, contribute to “deep systemic inequities” that prevent nearly 16 crore disabled citizens from accessing essential health protections.

During the launch event attended by policymakers and industry representatives, NCPEDP urged the government and insurers to implement uniform underwriting norms, transparent communication on rejections, and disability-inclusive service practices. The organisation emphasised that closing this insurance gap is essential for ensuring financial protection, social equity, and truly inclusive healthcare for people with disabilities across India.