India’s Ministry of Ayush is examining a proposal to explore the possibility of including insurance packages for ayurveda, yoga, naturopathy, unani, siddha and homeopathy treatment for foreign nationals coming here.

A senior official, told line of businessthat a proposal was received from the European Business and Technology Center (EBTC) and is “under process”.

“The Ministry of Ayush is examining the proposal to explore the possibility of including Ayush insurance packages for people traveling to India for such treatment,” the official said.

Earlier in the day, Union Minister Shripad Naik said that India had already approached several countries to consider Ayush treatment eligible for insurance claims and discussions on this were ongoing. This means that a foreign national coming to India on an Ayush visa for Ayush treatment would also be eligible for health insurance claims there.

India already has collaborations with 103 countries to promote the Ayush system, while there are 24 country-to-country collaboration agreements to promote research in the segment.

“It is up to the country to design its health insurance and claims regulations. We have written to countries to consider Ayush treatment packages eligible for insurance, and talks are ongoing in this regard,” he said.

Generally, alternative forms of treatment are not covered by medical insurance claims globally, except in India.

As per guidelines issued by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) on January 31, 2024, all health insurance products should cover Ayush treatment with 100 percent claim sum assured and cashless facility from April 1, 2024.

India’s Ayush market has grown exponentially, from $2.85 billion in 2014 to $43.4 billion in 2023, with exports doubling from $1.09 billion to $2.16 billion, Naik said.

AYUSH visa

Incidentally, India has introduced Ayush visa for medical tourism or education or treatment including for practicing yoga.

Currently, visas are available under four sub-categories which include Ayush Visa (AY-1), AYUSH Attendant Visa (AY2), e-Ayush Visa and e-Ayush Attendant Visa.

“According to the information provided by the Ministry of External Affairs, a circular email dated December 22, 2023 was sent to all Indian missions/posts abroad seeking the number of Ayush visas issued since its introduction,” said a second official.

Standard treatment guidelines for Ayush are in place and these are reviewed from time to time, Minister Naik said.

The Bureau of Indian Standards has already published more than 50 standards for Ayush medicines and plans are underway to introduce ISO standards, which will give it international access to over 100 countries.

About 2 million patients visit India every year from 78 countries for medical, wellness and IVF treatments, sources said.