Rehab Medical Services Lack Insurance Cover

An estimated four million Iranians suffer permanent physical injury and disabilities due to various mishaps, mainly traffic accidents. Many of these people need rehabilitation and long-term care. These usually expensive services are not covered by insurance companies.

“Rehabilitation insurance is as important as medical insurance and should be addressed as part of the health services,” Mohammad Ali Joghataie, advisor to health minister and secretary of the Strategic Council for Rehabilitation was quoted as saying by ISNA.

He said the Health Ministry introduced a rehabilitation treatment package for a number of severe diseases last year in line with international protocols. “But the scheme is still awaiting approval by the High Council of Insurance.”

Patients suffering from physical disabilities usually have to go through a long treatment process, which is not affordable for all patients.

“Some patients cannot afford more than just a few sessions of (the costly) rehabilitation and discontinue the treatment. These types of treatment are obviously crucial for some patients and neglecting them could lead to other health complications and impose heavy costs on the government and insurance companies,” Joghataie said.

Rehabilitation services can help a person regain physical, mental, and/or cognitive abilities that have been lost or impaired as a result of injury or diseases like brain stroke and return to daily life and live in a normal or near-normal way.

These services may include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, cognitive therapy, and mental health rehabilitation services.