According to a recently released report by IMARC Group, the health and wellness market is expected to register a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.55% between 2023 and 2028. Furthermore, India’s demographic dividend – 68% of its population is young and 55% is in the working age group aged 20-59 – creates a large pool of insurable individuals.
The role of life insurance has moved beyond simply providing financial security or a lump sum in the event of sudden death, playing a much larger role in an individual’s life. This shift is notable, as insurance companies strive to understand their customers as individuals with their own unique needs and circumstances. Also Read: Term Life Insurance: Why You Shouldn’t Buy Premium Refund Option?
By offering customizable options and integrated wellness programs, insurers can enable policyholders to tailor their coverage to their specific lifestyles, ultimately promoting overall health rather than focusing solely on specific triggers or events.The proposition is to drive delivery of superior value to customers across segments by incorporating holistic health into the customer lifecycle management process.
The rise in wellness initiatives is not just a passing fad, but rather reflects a growing understanding that healthier individuals lead to lower medical claims, improved customer experience and reduced costs.
Benefits of Wellness Programs
Wellness programs have grown in popularity in recent years, offering policyholders a range of physical, mental and emotional benefits. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the important role insurance plays in protecting an individual’s health and ensuring financial stability in uncertain times.
With a young population, rising disposable income, growing financial awareness, and a supportive regulatory framework, the insurance industry is poised to experience significant growth. These programs aim to encourage healthier lifestyles, which in turn leads to fewer medical claims and reduced costs for insurance companies. Also read: 5 reasons why health insurance is important for young people’s future security
Additionally, wellness programs have been found to correlate with increased customer satisfaction and higher policy renewal rates. As governments around the world look for ways to control healthcare costs, these programs offer a potential solution by focusing on preventive care and health maintenance. Gone are the days of lengthy medical checkups and tedious paperwork.
The insurance industry has adopted facial health screening, using cutting edge facial recognition technology to enable individuals to quickly and non-invasively assess their health status. The process involves capturing an image of the applicant’s face, which is then analyzed to detect potential health risks and determine eligibility for insurance. This innovative approach is revolutionizing the way insurance policies are underwritten, providing both convenience and accuracy to policyholders on every front.
Integration of long-term care and health in various aspects of health insurance
Wellness initiatives promote longevity by encouraging healthier habits, fostering community connections and encouraging ongoing participation, providing ongoing support to policyholders. Research shows that insurance products that incorporate wellness benefits are more likely to attract and retain healthier individuals than those without such benefits.
According to a 2019 report by the World Health Organization (WHO), the chances of premature death due to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) between the ages of 30 and 70 are 22%. With some small lifestyle adjustments and moderate incentives, these efforts can effectively contribute to maintaining long-term health and insurance coverage.Also read: What piece of the health insurance jigsaw does healthcare fintech form?
Impact and Measurement
To evaluate the effectiveness of wellness programs in terms of improving overall health, both quantitative and qualitative data must be considered. According to a Global Atlantic poll, the majority of respondents said they would maintain their current weight and visit the doctor for annual checkups if their life insurance premiums were adjusted accordingly. This data suggests that wellness programs can attract healthier people, retain policyholders, and encourage active engagement in preventive care.
Developing an ecosystem to expand offerings
Advances in digital technology have given rise to a plethora of wearables, apps, software and tools that can be used for health monitoring. These technologies allow the collection of data that can inform consent-based, personalized wellness activities, creating more engaging and effective experiences for customers.
Moreover, with the right long-term strategy, collaboration and a technology-driven ecosystem, there is huge potential to diversify product offerings: for example, fintech companies are partnering with wellness providers to offer health solutions through mobile apps, such as free health trackers. Related article: DCGI makes compliance with BIS standards for medical devices mandatory, strengthens testing protocols
The synergy between wearable health trackers and mobile apps is set to be a game changer, with a predicted rise in mobile internet users to 1.34 billion by 2030. Insurers can partner with technology companies to develop innovative products that seamlessly integrate wellness programs.
Incorporating wellness initiatives into life insurance products is a promising opportunity for both insurers and policyholders. These programs lead to cost optimization by promoting healthier lifestyles and provide policyholders with a better quality of life. As the insurance industry continues to evolve, it is essential to foster continued innovation and integration of wellness initiatives.
Sachin Dutta, Chief Operating Officer, Canara HSBC Life Insurance
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