Insurance claims related to liver diseases in India have doubled over the past three years and this surge reflects not only increasing disease severity but also the widening demographic and geographic spread of the disease, according to a new analysis by Indian health insurer Care Health Insurance.
The analysis, released on the occasion of World Liver Day, which is celebrated on 19 April annually, revealed that treatment costs for liver diseases have also nearly doubled compared to three years ago. As a result, current claims data indicate that a minimum health insurance cover of INR1,500,000 ($16,200) is fast becoming essential for adequate financial protection.
Importantly, liver disease is no longer confined to traditional high-risk groups. Data reveal a 5–10% annual increase in cases among younger cohorts. In addition, claims from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities are rising by 10–15% each year, signalling a shift beyond metro populations.
Claims among female policyholders have also grown by nearly 10% year-on-year. Taken together, these trends highlight that liver disease now affects a broader and more diverse population than ever before.
According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease affects between 9% and 32% of the population, impacting nearly one in three individuals. Consequently, experts increasingly describe it as a “silent epidemic”.
At the same time, liver-related conditions account for over 66% of total deaths, while escalating treatment costs are placing a significant financial strain on households.
CARE Health Insurance COO Manish Dodeja said, “We have observed a clear shift in both profile and intensity. Cases are rising sharply; the younger population is getting impacted and the financial impact on households is becoming significantly heavier. This is not just a clinical issue; it is increasingly an economic one as well. It is, therefore, critical for individuals to periodically review their health coverage and ensure their sum insured keeps pace with these evolving risks.”