Are you really covered? 5 common exclusions in your  health policy

             Written by: Ehsan Siddiqui

10 September 2025

Health insurance is a safety net to help us in our time of need, but like all nets, it has gaps, and there are some things that slip through the cracks. Here are 5 common treatments that health plans generally do not cover. 

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Any illnesses that you had when you purchased a health plan are referred to as pre-existing diseases. Most health insurance policies only reimburse such expenses after the waiting period.

Pre-existing Conditions

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Cosmetic procedures such as Botox are used to enhance one's appearance and are not deemed necessary for overall health. Hence, they are typically not covered by health insurance policies.

Cosmetic Procedures

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Health insurance policies do not cover injuries caused by self-inflicted harm or suicide attempts because they are the result of a person's voluntary actions.

Self-harm

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Sexually transmitted illnesses (STDs) like gonorrhea, HIV, and other diseases are usually not covered by health insurance plans in India.

STDs

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Generally, alternative treatments such as acupuncture, homeopathy, naturopathy, Ayurveda, and novel or experimental procedures are not covered by standard health insurance.

Alternative or Experimental Medicine

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