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Study reveals devastating financial burden on heart failure patients in India
A multi-centric study across 21 institutions finds heart failure imposes a severe financial strain on patients and households in India, with high out-of-pocket costs and limited insurance coverage. The report notes that only one in three patients had any health insurance, and even insured patients face substantial expenses as ongoing management requires frequent hospital visits and long-term medications not covered by existing schemes.
Why It Matters
The findings highlight gaps in financial protection for chronic diseases and may influence health insurance design and policy in India.
Timeline
1 Event
Publication of study findings on economic burden of heart failure in India
April 19, 2026
A multi-centric study across 21 institutions assessing the economic impact of heart failure at the individual and household levels found that heart failure is financially devastating for families, pushing many into catastrophic health spending, debt, and distress financing. The study also reported that only one in three patients had any health insurance cover, and that even insured patients faced substantial out-of-pocket costs because ongoing management requires frequent hospital visits and long-term medications not covered by any existing health insurance schemes.