Health emergencies can happen at any time without prior notice, necessitating urgent hospitalisation. In such moments, arranging funds for admission, diagnostic tests, and treatment can add unnecessary stress.
This is where cashless health insurance plans become invaluable, allowing policyholders to receive treatment at network hospitals without having to pay upfront. Under such health insurance policies, individuals can avail themselves of medical treatment at any of the empanelled hospitals without paying a single penny out of their own pocket.
The entire medical expense is settled between the hospital and the insurance provider, allowing policyholders to focus on their ongoing treatment. Read more to check out the top 10 cashless health insurance plans and their benefits!
What are the Best Cashless Health Insurance Plans in India?
The table below represents the top 10 cashless health insurance policies in India, highlighting their coverage period, sum insured amount, waiting period, and benefits:
| Plan Name | Coverage Period | Sum Insured (₹) | Waiting Period | Benefits |
| Star Comprehensive Insurance Policy | Lifetime renewability | 5 lakhs to 1 crore | — | Covers daycare procedures, ambulance (road & air), maternity, organ donor, AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy), no sub-limits |
| ICICI Lombard Health Care Plus | Up to 3 years | ₹1 lakh to ₹50 lakhs | 2-4 years | Covers for critical illness, maternity, and newborn care. No capping for room rent and fast claim settlement |
| Super Star | Up to 5 years | ₹5 lakhs to ₹1 crore, and unlimited | 30 days | Designed for high coverage with an extensive hospital network and cashless claim support |
| Reliance General Cashless Health Insurance Policy | – | ₹3 lakhs to ₹1 crore | 2-4 years | Comes with restoration benefit, this policy covers critical illness, maternity, and offers fast claim approval |
| Star Women Care | Up to 3 years | ₹5 lakhs to ₹1 crore | — | Focuses on women’s health, maternity cover, and outpatient care tailored for women |
| HDFC Ergo Cashless Health Insurance Policies | – | ₹3 lakhs to ₹2 crore | 2-4 years | Offers unlimited online doctor consultations at no cost. Provides 4x coverage, including mental health coverage and home care treatments. |
| Senior Citizens Red Carpet Health Insurance Policy | Up to 3 years | ₹1 lakh to ₹25 lakhs
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12 months | Specialised coverage for seniors includes pre-existing diseases after a waiting period.
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| Bajaj Allianz Health Guard Family Cover | – | ₹1.5 lakhs to ₹1 crore | 2-4 years | Covers AYUSH treatments, maternity expenses, organ donor expenses, worldwide emergency cover |
| Family Health Optima Insurance Plan | 1 to 2 years | ₹5 lakhs to ₹25 lakhs | 36 months | Family floater plan with a vast hospital network and comprehensive coverage
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| Aditya Birla Activ Fit Plus | – | Upto ₹1 crore | – | Covers mental care, modern treatment, HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and other STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) |
What are the Advantages of Buying a Cashless Health Insurance Policy?
Cashless health insurance policies come with the following benefits:
● Vast Network of Empanelled Hospitals
Reputed insurance companies partner with top hospitals to ensure that policyholders can access best-rated medical aid without waiting for any admission fees. Star Health Insurance, for example, has a vast network of over 14,000 hospitals across India, offering cashless claim settlements, which makes the process smoother during medical emergencies.
● Relief from Financial Stress
Sudden medical needs can be stressful, but with a cashless plan, you avoid the hassle of arranging funds or loans. The insurer pays the hospital directly, letting you concentrate fully on your recovery and well-being.
● Providing Transparency
Cashless health insurance provides all the coverage details upfront, ensuring you know precisely what is included and excluded before treatment. This transparency prevents surprises during claims, making the process easier and more predictable by setting clear expectations about costs and reimbursements.
● Convenient
Cashless insurance removes the need for complicated paperwork and coordination with agents. It streamlines the claim process by having the hospital and insurer handle everything directly, saving you time and effort, and allowing you to focus entirely on your recovery.
What are the Steps to Buy a Cashless Health Insurance Plan?
Here is a complete guide on choosing the right cashless health plan:
1. Select Your Coverage Plan
Look for policies that fit your needs regarding coverage amount, premium costs, benefits, and exclusions to ensure protection during medical emergencies and hospitalisation.
2. Make Your Payment
After selecting a plan, you must pay the premium to activate it. Timely and regular premium payments keep your policy active, allowing smooth claim processing when you need medical assistance.
3. Find Network Hospitals
Cashless claims work only at empanelled hospitals. Check the list of network hospitals to ensure there are convenient options near your home or workplace for easy access during emergencies.
4. Show Your Insurance Card
When admitted, present your cashless health insurance card or policy details at the hospital’s insurance desk. The hospital will then send a pre-authorisation request to the insurer to confirm coverage for your treatment.
5. Access Treatment
Once approved by the insurer, the hospital provides cashless treatment, and the insurance company settles the bill directly with the hospital.
6. The Insurance Payout Agreement
The insurer settles expenses up to your coverage limit. You must bear any costs beyond the approved amount, so it’s essential to know your policy limits beforehand.
Choosing the right cashless health insurance plan can provide you and your family with financial protection and peace of mind during medical emergencies. Reliable providers offer a wide range of tailored plans, ensuring that everyone, from individuals to senior citizens and special groups, finds the coverage they need for hassle-free hospitalisation.
