80% of Indians with disabilities remain uninsured, finds NCPEDP

A new white paper by the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP) has revealed that four out of five persons with disabilities in India still lack any form of health insurance. Released in New Delhi on Thursday, the report highlights how entrenched exclusion continues despite statutory protections meant to guarantee equal access.

Deep disparities in access

The findings draw on a survey of more than 5,000 persons with disabilities across 34 states and Union Territories. More than half of all applicants — 53 per cent — said their insurance applications were rejected, many without any explanation.

“These are not isolated cases,” said Arman Ali, Executive Director of NCPEDP. “People are being denied coverage simply because they have a disability. It is a violation of rights, plain and simple.”

Discriminatory practices persist

According to the white paper, widespread discriminatory underwriting practices continue across both public and private insurers. Individuals with autism, psychosocial disabilities, intellectual disabilities and blood disorders such as thalassemia face the steepest odds, often encountering arbitrary rejection or unaffordable premiums.

Respondents also reported difficulties navigating inaccessible digital systems and a lack of accurate information about available schemes.

Ali criticised the continued exclusion of persons with disabilities from Ayushman Bharat, even as the scheme expands to include all senior citizens over 70.

“Persons with disabilities face equal or greater health vulnerabilities,” he said. “Extending equitable protection to 16 crore people with disabilities is not optional — it is a constitutional responsibility.”

Broader health needs left uncovered

Former Ayushman Bharat CEO Indu Bhushan said that while PM-JAY does shield families from catastrophic hospital expenses, the scheme does not adequately address the wide range of health needs faced by persons with disabilities.

He noted that out-of-pocket spending remains disproportionately high and added, “Universal health coverage must ensure equal access to quality and affordable care. That is the fundamental principle.”

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Government moves to improve integration

Manmeet Kaur Nanda, Additional Secretary in the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), said the government has mandated the integration of all schemes with the Unique Disability ID (UDID) system.

She said this would streamline access and improve service delivery. Efforts are also underway, she added, to strengthen coordination with IRDAI, enhance the availability of assistive products and ensure compliance with accessibility norms across insurance processes.

Recommendations for systemic overhaul

The white paper calls for the immediate inclusion of all persons with disabilities under Ayushman Bharat, regardless of age or income, and stresses the need for broader coverage of mental health services, rehabilitation and assistive technologies. It also underscores the importance of disability-sensitive training for insurers and healthcare staff, standardised premiums for disability-inclusive policies, and better public awareness of rights and entitlements.

A push for rights-based healthcare

For NCPEDP, the issue extends far beyond policy corrections. The organisation has urged policymakers, regulators and the media to shift from charity-driven approaches to a rights-based framework that recognises healthcare access as fundamental.

“We are not asking for special treatment,” Ali said. “We are asking for equal treatment.”

NCPEDP said it will continue campaigning for inclusive health insurance and has invited civil society groups, industry stakeholders and the public to join the effort.