The landscape of health insurance in India is undergoing a significant transformation with the introduction of the ‘Cashless Everywhere’ initiative by the General Insurance Council. This groundbreaking move aims to revolutionize cashless hospitalization for policyholders, even in non-empanelled hospitals.
Cashless Hospitalization
Announced recently, the ‘Cashless Everywhere’ initiative opens doors for policyholders to avail cashless hospitalization in hospitals with as few as 15 beds. These hospitals must be registered under the Clinical Establishment Act and approved by the respective state health authorities.
Under this initiative, policyholders no longer need to worry about upfront payment for treatment during hospitalization. Instead, the expenses incurred will be covered by their insurance providers, provided the claim is deemed admissible by the council.
Facilitating
The driving force behind ‘Cashless Everywhere’ is to empower policyholders with the freedom to choose their preferred hospital for treatment. This flexibility comes with certain conditions, including timely notification to the insurance company—ideally 48 hours before hospitalization in a non-empanelled hospital.
However, even if the notification window is missed, policyholders still have the option to inform the insurance company within 48 hours of admission. This streamlined process eliminates the hassle of reimbursement claims and expedites the settlement process for policyholders.
Eliminating Constraints
Traditionally, cashless facilities were limited to approximately 40,000 empanelled hospitals. With the introduction of ‘Cashless Everywhere,’ this limitation becomes a thing of the past. Policyholders are no longer restricted by network constraints and can seek treatment at any hospital offering cashless facilities, subject to certain terms and conditions.
Tapan Singhal, Chairman of the General Insurance Council, emphasizes the council’s commitment to simplifying the lives of policyholders. By removing barriers to cashless treatment, the initiative aims to alleviate the financial burden and enhance the overall healthcare experience for insured individuals.
Conclusion
The ‘Cashless Everywhere’ initiative marks a significant milestone in the evolution of health insurance in India. By extending cashless hospitalization to non-empanelled hospitals, it empowers policyholders with greater choice, convenience, and accessibility in healthcare services.
As the insurance landscape continues to evolve, initiatives like ‘Cashless Everywhere’ underscore the industry’s commitment to serving the evolving needs of policyholders and fostering a healthier, more resilient society.
