In a significant move, the General Insurance Council has introduced a new initiative to facilitate cashless hospitalization for policyholders, even in hospitals that are not on the insurer’s network. The initiative, named ‘Cashless Everywhere,’ aims to extend this benefit to policyholders seeking treatment in hospitals with 15 beds, registered under the Clinical Establishment Act with state health authorities.
Under this initiative, policyholders will be relieved of the financial burden associated with hospitalization expenses, as insurance companies will cover the costs, provided the claim is deemed admissible by the council. The primary goal is to empower policyholders to choose any hospital for their treatment, enjoying the convenience of a cashless facility, subject to specific conditions.
The conditions include the admissibility of the individual’s insurance policy, with a mandatory requirement to inform the insurance company 48 hours before hospitalization at a non-empanelled hospital. Alternatively, policyholders have the option to notify the insurance company within 48 hours of admission.
Tapan Singhal, Chairman of the General Insurance Council and Chief Executive of Bajaj Allianz General Insurance, emphasized that the ‘Cashless Everywhere’ initiative seeks to eliminate the need for policyholders to opt for reimbursement claims when choosing a hospital outside the insurer’s network. Singhal highlighted that the current system limits cashless facilities to approximately 40,000 empanelled hospitals, creating challenges for policyholders seeking treatment beyond this network.
Singhal expressed the council’s commitment to simplifying the lives of policyholders and bringing about positive changes to enhance their experience. The new initiative aims to provide flexibility and convenience for policyholders, ensuring a smoother and faster claims process, ultimately alleviating the challenges associated with receiving treatment in non-network hospitals.
