Post-Stroke Rehabilitation Still Not Covered by Insurance, Experts Urge Urgent Policy Reform

 by Bhavna SJ 

As stroke cases rise sharply in India, experts highlight a critical gap, while more patients survive, many are left without access to essential rehabilitation due to lack of insurance support, increasing emotional and financial burden on families

*Mumbai:* Stroke cases are rising rapidly across India. While medical advancements have significantly improved survival rates after stroke and brain injuries, a critical gap remains in recovery, as post-stroke rehabilitation continues to be largely excluded from insurance coverage. Experts warn that for many patients, the real struggle begins after hospital discharge, when long-term rehabilitation becomes both physically demanding and financially draining. Limited access to structured rehabilitation services, combined with a lack of insurance support, places an enormous burden on patients and their families at their most vulnerable. There is an urgent need to include neurorehabilitation under insurance coverage and expand affordable, accessible rehabilitation services across Mumbai and India.

Stroke is no longer just a medical emergency but a long-term condition requiring sustained care. Despite this, rehabilitation services remain inaccessible or unaffordable for a large section of patients. Families often face difficult choices, as prolonged therapy, assistive care, and repeated hospital visits create significant financial strain and caregiving challenges, especially when such treatments are not covered under most insurance policies.

Explaining the seriousness of the issue, *Dr. Nirmal Surya, President, Indian Federation of Neurorehabilitation* , said, “India records over 1.25 million new stroke cases every year, a 51% increase since 1990, accounting for 10% of all strokes worldwide. Stroke is now the 2nd leading cause of death and the 3rd leading cause of disability in the country. While survival rates have improved, access to rehabilitation remains a major concern. Among stroke survivors who need rehabilitation, nearly 1 in 4 receive no therapy at all, and only 17% have access to therapist-supervised care. Advanced rehabilitation technology is available in just 20% of rehabilitation units nationally, and an estimated 70% of India’s population lives in rural areas with virtually no access to neurorehabilitation services.”

*Dr. Nirmal Surya further added* , “Recovery after stroke does not end at hospital discharge; it requires structured, long-term neurorehabilitation to help patients regain mobility, speech, and independence. However, these services are often expensive, prolonged, and largely excluded from insurance coverage. This places a significant emotional and financial burden on families at a time when they are most vulnerable. There is an urgent need to include post-stroke rehabilitation under insurance policies and expand access to affordable care. Innovations such as tele-neurorehabilitation, robotics, brain stimulation, and AI-driven therapies offer hope, but they must be made widely available to truly bridge this gap.”

*Dr Abhishek Srivastava-Neuro rehabilitation Specialist at Kokilabhen Hospital, Mumbai & Director, IFNR organizing Secretory* said “Stroke is no longer just an emergency—it has become a long-term condition that needs continuous care. However, rehabilitation services are still out of reach for many patients due to high costs and limited availability. Families often struggle to manage the expenses of ongoing therapy, caregiving, and repeated hospital visits, especially since most insurance policies do not cover these treatments. This creates both financial and emotional stress during an already difficult time.”

Experts warn that without timely rehabilitation, stroke survivors are at a higher risk of long-term disability and reduced quality of life. Early and regular therapy can help patients recover better and regain independence, but lack of awareness, limited facilities, and high costs often delay this care. There is a growing call for urgent action—better policies, more awareness, and inclusion of rehabilitation in insurance coverage—so that every patient gets a fair chance at full recovery, not just survival.

Experts emphasise that without timely rehabilitation, stroke survivors face a higher risk of long-term disability, reduced quality of life, and repeated hospitalisations. Early and continuous rehabilitation can improve outcomes, helping patients return to daily activities and regain independence. However, lack of awareness, infrastructure gaps, and financial constraints continue to delay access to essential care.

Highlighting the need for urgent action, experts are calling for stronger policy support, increased awareness, and inclusion of neurorehabilitation in insurance coverage to ensure that recovery is not limited to a privileged few. Experts stress that survival should not be the end goal; complete recovery must be made accessible to every patient.

In line with these efforts, the IFNRCON 2026 and the 2nd International Tele-Neuro Rehabilitation Conference (ITNRCON 2026) was conducted in Mumbai from April 9–12, 2026. The conference brought together neurologists, rehabilitation specialists, and global experts to discuss emerging technologies, policy gaps, and the future of neurorehabilitation, including a special session of the Lancet Commission and the launch of a White Paper on Neurorehabilitation. A key focus of the discussions was the urgent need to include post-stroke rehabilitation under insurance coverage to ensure equitable and affordable access to long-term care.