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(By: Venkatesh Naidu)

We often think of love as grand gestures — gifts, dinners, a few framed memories. But some forms of love are quieter. They wake up earlier. They sleep last. They take on more than they admit and give more than they’re thanked for. That’s the love most of us have grown up with — our mothers.

And once a year, on Mother’s Day, we try to put that gratitude into something visible: flowers, sarees, and a handwritten note. It’s beautiful. But sometimes, beauty isn’t enough.

Because the truth is: while our mothers were busy putting our needs ahead of theirs, many of us forgot to ask the most important question —  Is her health protected?

The Unseen Risk In Indian Families:

In homes across India — urban and rural, middle-class and affluent — there’s a quiet but persistent oversight. We save for our children’s future, insure our cars and phones, and invest in dream homes. But our mothers’ health insurance—especially if they are homemakers or above 50—often remains outdated, insufficient, or completely missing.

According to the IRDAI’s 2023 data, just 28% of Indian women above 50 have an individual health insurance policy. For homemakers, the numbers are starker—unrecorded and largely overlooked.

A 2022 BCG survey found that 66% of Indian families hadn’t reviewed their parents’ or in-laws’ insurance in the past two years. And when the parent is a mother who doesn’t earn, the probability of a review drops even further.

This isn’t neglect. It’s how we’ve been conditioned to see our mothers: always available, always adjusting, rarely in focus. But as time passes and health risks increase, this oversight is no longer harmless.

Why Waiting Is No Longer An Option:

• Medical Costs Are Rising Fast:
  Even a minor hospitalisation today—due to infection, cardiac trouble, or a fall—can cost between ₹1.5 to ₹3 lakh in a private facility. For a family without health insurance, these expenses often lead to difficult choices: liquidating savings, borrowing from relatives, or delaying treatment altogether.
• Healthcare Inflation is Outpacing Income Growth:
  India’s healthcare inflation is around 14% annually—one of the highest globally. This means a ₹5 lakh policy today might not even cover half the cost of care five years from now.
• Delaying Insurance Means Reduced Coverage:
  Most health policies have a 2–4 year waiting period for pre-existing conditions. The longer we wait, the more we risk running into exclusions or rejected claims. After a diagnosis, options shrink drastically.
• The Emotional Cost is Often Overlooked:
  Beyond money, there’s the invisible burden: regret. Families scrambling during emergencies often wish they had acted sooner. The mother, despite being unwell, still tries to make it easier for everyone else. The guilt of watching her worry about finances during illness can be quietly devastating.

Why This Continues To Be Ignored:

• Mothers don’t ask. They often underplay symptoms or defer treatment to avoid being “a burden.”
• Dependence on floater plans. These policies are shared across family members, and the total sum insured may not be enough—especially as parents age.
• The illusion of good health. “She’s active, she’s fine” is not a substitute for protection.
• Lack of financial agency. Many homemakers are excluded from financial discussions. If no one asks, their needs remain invisible.

What You Can Do — Today

This Mother’s Day, move beyond symbolic appreciation. A few small but meaningful steps can offer real security—and peace of mind:

• Review and Upgrade Her Health Cover:
  Check if she has an individual policy. If not, help her get one. Aim for at least ₹10–15 lakh in sum insured, with critical illness coverage, cashless options, and minimal restrictions on room rent.
• Schedule a Preventive Health Check-Up:
  Many mothers haven’t had a full check-up in years. Early detection allows for better policy planning and immediate lifestyle interventions if needed.
• Create a Family Medical File:
  Keep her ID, insurance documents, prescriptions, and hospital preferences in one place. Ensure every family member knows where it is and how to use it in an emergency.

Because Real Love Isn’t Just Felt — It’s Planned

Health insurance doesn’t promise a life without illness. But it does ensure dignity when illness comes. It protects not just your mother, but the savings and stability of your entire family.

And more than anything else—it sends a message she’s waited a lifetime to hear:
 “You matter too.”

This Mother’s Day, don’t just celebrate her.
Protect her. Provide for her. Prioritise her.
Because she never asked for anything—but gave you everything.
And that is exactly why she deserves more than a bouquet.

Venkatesh Naidu is CEO at Bajaj Capital Insurance Broking Ltd.