Ahead of International Women's Day, a survey by TATA AIG General Insurance Company has highlighted notable gaps in women’s health insurance coverage and awareness around cardiac care in India, raising concerns about financial readiness for women’s healthcare needs.

Only about 20% of women in India have adequate insurance coverage, leaving a large majority financially vulnerable to high medical costs, reveals TATA AIG survey. The findings, released ahead of International Women’s Day, highlight significant gaps in women’s health insurance coverage and access to timely cardiac care in the country.

Despite women accounting for nearly 47% of the total insured population, most remain underinsured. The survey found that nearly 80% of women do not have health insurance coverage exceeding ₹20 lakh, an amount often required to manage critical illnesses such as cancer or cardiac conditions, where treatment costs can run into several lakhs, the survey noted.

As per the survey, the gap in financial preparedness stands in contrast to women’s growing engagement with the healthcare system. According to data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), institutional births in India have reached 88.6%, while 58.1% of women complete four or more antenatal care visits, indicating increasing use of formal healthcare services.

Data from the National Health Accounts (2021–22) shows that out-of-pocket expenditure still accounts for 39.4% of India’s total health spending, posing a significant burden for families, particularly in cases involving long-term or recurring treatments.

The survey also highlights gender disparities in cardiac healthcare. While 34% of cardiologists believe women now face cardiac risks comparable to men, nearly half reported that women’s symptoms are often overlooked or misdiagnosed, leading to delays in treatment. Unlike men, who typically present with well-recognised symptoms such as chest pain, women often experience subtler warning signs like fatigue or nausea, which may go unrecognised.

Commenting on the findings, Rajagopal Rudraraju, Head of Consumer Business Claims at TATA AIG, said rising cases of cancer and other serious illnesses among women make financial preparedness increasingly critical.

“While participation in health insurance is improving, low policy retention and lower coverage amounts suggest that many women remain underinsured. Ensuring adequate coverage and improving access to preventive healthcare will be key to protecting both individual well-being and the broader healthcare ecosystem,” he said.