Senior Care Experts Seek Separate Insurance Cover for Long Term Care in India

General Insurance Council agrees to form a working group as experts propose phased coverage for assisted living, dementia care, rehabilitation, nursing and daily support needs

Senior care and insurance experts have called for Long Term Care to be recognised as a distinct insurable risk in India, separate from health insurance primarily designed around acute medical treatment and hospitalisation.
The proposal was discussed at the General Insurance Council Council Meeting held in Mumbai on September 4, 2026. The General Insurance Council has agreed to form a working group to take forward discussions on insurance coverage for long term senior healthcare.
The recommendations come as longer lifespans increase the need for extended rehabilitation, nursing and palliative care, dementia supervision, residential care and assistance with everyday activities.

Experts have proposed a phased approach that would allow insurers and senior care providers to develop experience and generate India specific data before introducing broader Long Term Care products.
An initial step could involve Long Term Care and cognitive impairment riders on existing retail and group health insurance policies.
The recommendations also propose standalone Long Term Care and assisted living insurance products over a two to three year period. Benefits could be linked to defined care dependency triggers, such as an inability to perform a specified number of Activities of Daily Living or significant cognitive impairment.
Another recommendation is to connect insurance coverage with licensed and accredited care facilities that meet defined quality and safety requirements.

Simplified claims procedures for cognitive impairment have also been proposed, including standardised assessment formats that treating clinicians can use and processes designed with elderly policyholders and caregivers in mind.
Experts have further suggested examining premium incentives and tax linked support to improve affordability and encourage adoption of Long Term Care insurance.
Pilot products and riders could be used to collect information on utilisation, dependency, rehabilitation, caregiver requirements and costs before comprehensive insurance products are developed.
The proposals seek to address expenses that can remain outside conventional healthcare financing, including caregivers, home healthcare, rehabilitation, dementia care, assisted living and continuing care.

Dr. Karthik Narayan R, Founder & MD, Athulya Senior Care, and Chairperson CII Committee on Senior Care, said changing care requirements among older people require a different approach to financial protection.
“India’s ageing journey is changing the nature of healthcare demand. As people live longer, a larger proportion will require support with daily activities, rehabilitation, assisted living or cognitive care for extended periods,” Dr. Karthik Narayan R said.
“Recognising long term care as a distinct insurable risk can help bridge this gap and give families greater financial predictability. A phased approach, beginning with riders and group pilots and gradually evolving towards comprehensive LTC products, can help build a sustainable model for India,” he added.

Dr S Prakash, CEO of GIC Health, said clear eligibility, assessment and care quality standards would be important when developing insurance products for elderly citizens.
“To do this effectively for elderly citizens, we need clear guidelines on who qualifies for coverage, how care needs are assessed, quality standards for care providers, and fair pricing,” Dr S Prakash said.
“This foundation should enable insurers to design better, more sustainable long term care products over time,” he added.
Mr. Shyam Viswanathan, Co Founder of Dementia India Alliance and Association for Healthy Ageing, highlighted the extended care requirements associated with dementia.

“Families often have to manage the costs of supervision, daily assistance and supportive or residential care. Insurance products that recognise long term care and dependency as distinct financial risks will provide families with greater choice and security,” Mr. Viswanathan said.
The proposed working group is expected to advance discussions between the insurance sector and senior care stakeholders around the development of Long Term Care coverage in India.
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