Star Health and Allied Insurance Co Ltd (Star Health) has launched India’s first Braille insurance policy, titled “Special Care Gold,” aimed at providing health insurance to the visually impaired.
According to Business Upturn’s report, the policy is specifically designed for individuals with 40% or more disabilities, including those with physical, sensory, or cognitive impairments.
The initiative addresses the needs of India’s visually impaired population, estimated at around 34 million people.
As part of the effort, Star Health is also rolling out a recruitment program to train and employ visually impaired individuals as insurance agents.
The Braille version of the policy document was developed in collaboration with the National Association of the Blind (NAB), furthering accessibility for those with visual impairments.
Srikanth Bolla, a visually impaired entrepreneur, has become one of the first licensed insurance agents under this initiative and is actively promoting the policy.
To support these new agents, the company will provide resources such as exam preparation funding and a dedicated hotline for assistance.
Anand Roy, managing director and CEO of Star Health, said this launch supports the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India’s (IRDAI) objective of making insurance accessible to all.
He said that the program aims to provide not only health coverage but also employment opportunities for marginalised groups.
In a separate move, Star Health has begun an insurance awareness drive across Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Haryana.
The campaign is part of the company’s broader efforts to expand healthcare access in alignment with IRDAI’s “Insurance for All by 2047” initiative.
Commenting on the initiative, Roy said that Star Health was committed to raising awareness about health insurance, which the company considers a fundamental right.
“We are focused on building awareness, availability, and accessibility,” he said, noting that low insurance penetration in India, particularly in rural areas, is largely due to limited knowledge of insurance products.
The awareness campaign features a variety of activities, including workshops, seminars, and outreach events.
Star Health has also deployed mobile vans to visit various regions within the three states, offering personalised consultations and distributing materials that highlight the importance of health insurance for financial protection.
The initiative is expected to reach 470 villages and towns across 51 districts in Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Haryana.
In the 2024 fiscal year, Star Health expanded its outreach, covering 134 districts and reaching more than 4.2 million individuals in other states, such as Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Odisha.
