Mumbai, Mar 17th: Aditya Birla Health Insurance Co. Limited (ABHICL), the health insurance arm of Aditya Birla Capital, today released findings from its peer-reviewed research study published in the medical journal Cureus. The study analyses anonymised data from 29,463 customers enrolled in ABHICL’s health coaching programme, offered by Zyla Health, with data examined for the period between April 2023 and March 2024. The research includes academic contribution from Dr. Kapil Verma, PhD (formerly IIM Kozhikode). The paper evaluates the impact of regular health coaching on preventable hospitalisations, claims costs, and health outcomes among individuals managing chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, obesity, and asthma.
Customers who remained actively engaged in the programme recorded a 31% reduction in preventable claims compared to non-engaged members. The analysis reported that each additional health coaching interaction reduced preventable claim costs by an average of ₹668, while the programme delivered savings of ₹1.72 for every ₹1 invested in health coaching. The study also highlights differences in engagement and outcomes across customer segments. Among 55% customers onboarded with at least one chronic condition, women comprised 33% of participants and reported a higher symptom burden. Women who engaged with the programme recorded stronger reductions in claim costs, indicating the impact of consistent participation.
Commenting on the findings, Mayank Bathwal, CEO, Aditya Birla Health Insurance, said: “Healthcare needs in India are evolving, with a growing focus on supporting long-term health, particularly for people living with chronic conditions. This study reflects our experience at ABHI that early risk identification and regular engagement can contribute to better health outcomes and more efficient use of healthcare resources. Our Health-First approach focuses on engaging customers earlier in their health journey and supporting them through structured, ongoing care. We believe health insurers can play a constructive role in strengthening the healthcare ecosystem by complementing treatment with prevention and continuity of care”.
Khushboo Aggarwal, Founder & CEO, Zyla Health added: “At Zyla, we’ve always believed that healthcare works better when it feels human, and this study proves exactly that. We are so grateful to Mayank and Aditya Birla Health Insurance’s team for their trust and partnership, which has been vital in showing how personalised, timely care keeps people healthier and out of the hospital. The findings clearly show that prevention-led care not only improves health outcomes but also delivers measurable savings for the healthcare system, demonstrating that it can be scaled responsibly and sustainably.”
Older members showed stronger engagement and better symptom improvement, alongside higher claims reflecting their healthcare needs. Increased participation through coaching calls was closely linked to improved health outcomes, with more symptoms improving or resolving over time. These engagement trends were reflected in both cost savings and health outcomes observed across the programme. Among 4,272 members who showed health improvement, over 7,626 symptoms were documented as improved or resolved. Across the overall onboarded customer base, only 155 preventable hospitalisations were recorded, indicating better chronic condition management and fewer cases escalating to hospital care.
The study highlight how early engagement and consistent, low-intensity interventions can play a meaningful role in managing chronic health risks and reducing avoidable hospitalisation. As non-communicable diseases continue to place pressure on India’s healthcare system, such approaches offer practical ways to support better long-term outcomes. ABHICL has consistently emphasised prevention and early action within its insurance framework, focusing on chronic care management and sustained engagement to help customers manage health risks more effectively over time.
