The Supreme Court has issued notice to the Centre and IRDA over a plea challenging the exclusion of epilepsy from health insurance. The petition claims this violates fundamental rights under Articles 14 and 21.
New Delhi: Today, On May 27, The Supreme Court of India has asked the Central Government to reply to a petition that challenges the exclusion of epilepsy from health insurance coverage in the country.
The petition was filed by an NGO named Sanvedana Foundation, which works to support persons suffering from epilepsy.
The matter was heard by a bench of the Supreme Court consisting of Justice B.V. Nagarathna and Justice Satish Chandra Sharma.
The court has issued official notices to the Central Government and the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), seeking their response to the concerns raised in the petition.
The Sanvedana Foundation, in its plea, has asked the court to cancel the master circular issued by the IRDAI.
According to the NGO, this master circular discriminates against people with epilepsy and goes against their fundamental rights that are protected under the Constitution of India, especially under Article 14 (right to equality) and Article 21 (right to life and personal liberty).
The petition stated that the IRDAI’s guidelines do not include epilepsy under the list of diseases covered by health insurance.
As a result, people suffering from epilepsy are often denied proper medical care due to lack of financial coverage. The exclusion, the petition argues, is unfair and affects the dignity and quality of life of persons living with epilepsy.
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The petitioner said that such discrimination violates the constitutional guarantee of equality before the law.
The plea also stated that epilepsy is a manageable condition, and people living with it can lead normal lives if given timely treatment and support.
Denying them insurance coverage pushes them further into distress and makes it harder for them to afford long-term treatment.
The petition emphasized that,
“The IRDA master circular arbitrarily excludes epilepsy from the list of specified diseases to be mandatorily covered by health insurance policies.”
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It also added,
“This results in violation of the fundamental rights of persons with epilepsy under Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution.”
The Supreme Court has now asked the government and the IRDAI to submit their reply and explain why epilepsy is not covered under standard health insurance policies.
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