Star Health and Allied Insurance (Star Health Insurance), recently announced the launch of an insurance policy in Braille.
The Braille version of the “Special Care Gold” policy document was produced in collaboration with the National Association of the Blind (NAB), Star Health said in a press statement.
Braille is a tactile writing system used by people who are blind or have low vision. It’s a code of raised dots that can be read with the fingertips.
Star Health has also launched a diversity and financial inclusivity drive to economically empower the 34 million diaspora of visually impaired/blind individuals in India with income generation opportunities.
Anand Roy, MD & CEO, Star Health Insurance, said, “This is a significant milestone in our mission to deliver equitable access to health insurance across all segments of society. This policy transcends traditional insurance, embodying our commitment to ensuring that individuals with disabilities receive the comprehensive support and coverage they need. We aim to build a more inclusive insurance sector – and specifically the 34 million individuals in India that are visually impaired.”
Srikanth Bolla, a visually impaired entrepreneur, and co-founder- chairman, Bollant Industries, said, “As someone who has experienced the challenges faced by individuals with special abilities, I applaud Star Health Insurance for this industry-first, inclusive initiative. Special Care Gold is not just an insurance policy in Braille; it is a message of empowerment and equal opportunity. It acknowledges that people with special abilities have the same right to health protection as anyone else, and that’s a significant stride towards true inclusivity in our society.”
Special Care Gold Policy
The ‘Special Care Gold’ policy is specifically designed to meet the unique needs of persons with disabilities (PWD).
Star said that this policy addresses a critical need for inclusive and comprehensive health coverage for this critical but unserved segment of customers.
The policy offers tailored coverage for individuals with 40% or more disability, including those with physical, sensory, or cognitive impairments. It covers essential medical treatments and support services.
In 2017, the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare reported that 34 million people in India, or 2.5% of the population, are visually impaired. A 2022 study by the Indian Journal of Ophthalmology estimated that vision impairment causes an economic loss of INR 646 billion in productivity, with a per capita loss of INR 9,192.
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