Health insurance claims rise sharply with age as critical illnesses drive costs; claims nearly 2.7 times higher among seniors: Report

Health insurance claim costs rise sharply with age, with the average claim amount increasing from ₹65,124 among individuals below 25 years to ₹1.77 lakh among those above 60, according to the latest report by Policybazaar. This represents an increase of nearly 2.7 times and reflects a significant shift in the nature and cost of illnesses across age groups. Younger policyholders are more likely to require treatment for infections, injuries, and maternity-related care while older consumers increasingly undergo treatment for cardiac diseases, cancer, kidney disorders, and other chronic conditions that often require specialised procedures and longer hospital stays. While senior citizens account for a smaller proportion of claims, they contribute disproportionately to overall payouts because of the higher cost of treatment. Cancer, heart disease account for 22% of claims The analysis highlights a growing gap between illnesses that drive hospitalisation volumes and those that account for healthcare expenditure.