FAQ
Most frequent questions and answers
New guidelines of Health Insurance claims
*Rules and guidelines :
IRDA came out with Health Insurance Regulations, 2016 for the entire medical insurance (mediclaim) industry. These regulations should benefit the over 20 crore citizens, who own a medical insurance (private and state) policy in India.
Main features of the Health Insurance Regulations (HIR), 2016
Related to Claims:
• TPA is not permitted to settle/ reject/ repudiate claims, as per Sec 33(c) of HIR 2016
• The claims settlement (rejection) letter should mention the specific grounds for denial/ rejection of claim, as per Sec 33(d)(iv) of HIR 2016
• Consumer will get interest of 2% over the prevailing bank rates, on claims payment delayed beyond 30 days and will have to mentioned in the policy document, as per Sec 28(iv) of HIR 2016
• The claims payment will be made from the Insurer’s bank account and not the TPA’s, as per Sec 32 of HIR 2016 Earlier claim cheques were issued to the customer by the TPA (Third party Administrator), but now the insurance company would have to write a claim cheque or ECS directly to the customer. This would eliminate the float that some of the TPAs were enjoying. Also, there was never any public audit of the claims funds sanctioned by the Insurance company v/s actual amount disbursed by the TPA.
• TPA has to electronically transfer the claims document to Insurer for a decision as per Sec 35(a) of HIR 2016
• The TPA will ask for claims related papers in one time only, and not in a piece meal manner as per Sec 27(ii) of HIR 2016
• Non-allopathic (AYUSH) treatments may be covered, as per Sec 18 of HIR 2016
• Fees to the TPA shall not be related to reduction of claims costs as per Sec 20(6) of Health Services Regulations for TPA, 2016
• Discounts offered by hospitals have to passed on to the policyholders, as per Sec 20(9) of Health Services Regulations for TPA, 2016
• Change of TPA will be intimated to the consumer in writing 30 days before hand as per Sec 34(a) of HIR 2016
Related to policy document:
• Premium for individual policies cannot be increased at renewals in an arbitrary way, especially after a claim is made, as per Sec 25(i) of HIR 2016.
• There will be no change in premiums in individual policies for 3 years after initial offering, as per Sec 10(c) of HIR 2016
• Cannot force consumer to shift to other product as per Sec 11(c) and 17 of HIR 2016
• All policies will be ordinarily renewable as per Sec 13 of HIR 2016
• Customer Information Sheet must be part of the policy document, as per sec 26 of HIR, 2016
• ID card to have logo of Insurance company (not of TPA) and the card may be permanent, as per Sec 30(f) of HIR 2016
• Policy is portable from one Insurer to another, 45 days prior to maturity of policy (including cumulative bonus would also be portable), as per Schedule I, Sec(1) & (18) of HIR 2016
• Free-look period is 15 days as per Sec 14 of HIR 2016
• Cumulative bonus amount to be clearly mentioned in the policy, as per sec 16(i) of HIR, 2016
• All disclosures as per the new regulations have to be included in the policy document, as per sec 28 of HIR, 2016
• For multiple policies, claims under other policy can be made after exhaustion of Sum Insured in the earlier policy, as per Sec 24 (ii)2 of HIR 2016. The option to chose will remain with the insured
Related to Senior citizens:
• Entry age is up to 65 years and there will not be any exit date for a policy as per Sec 12 of HIR 2016
• Premiums shall be fair, justified, transparent and duly disclosed upfront, as per Sec 23(i) of HIR 2016
• Separate claims & grievance cell, as per Sec 23(ii) of HIR 2016
Other regulations:
• Withdrawal of a product needs prior IRDA approval and atleast 3 months notice, as per Sec 5(ii) of HIR 2016
• Group Insurance cannot be offered to groups specifically formed to avail insurance, as per Sec 7(a) of HIR 2016
• Pre-insurance check-up cost included in premium as per Sec 15(i) of HIR 2016
Important precautions to be taken in case of claims:
• Best option for the consumer is to obtain Cashless facility i.e. the Insurance company pays the bills directly to the hospital. But the hospital must be part of their preferred network (PPN), which list should be available on the insurance company website.
• If you wish to take treatment in a hospital, which is not on the PPN cashless list, then make sure you intimate the Insurance company/ TPA within 24 hours of admission in any hospital.
• In case of a pre-planned surgery, it is better to inform the Insurance company/ TPA much earlier.
• As per IRDA’s guidelines to the Insurance companies, the consumer cannot be forced to sign the discharge or Settlement Intimation voucher. Signing the discharge voucher does not mean that the Insurer’s liability is over.
Disputes resolution, especially Claims processing
For claims-related complaints, consumers can write to the Grievance cell of the Insurance company. As per IRDA guidelines, grievances must be acknowledged by the Insurance company in 3 working days and it must be resolved in 15 working days. If there is no response to the letter, you can file a Right to Information (RTI) application with the Grievance Officer.
The IRDA Call Centre (toll-free at 155255) also offers an alternative channel for policyholders, serving from 8 AM to 8 PM, Monday to Saturday in Hindi, English and various Indian languages.
You can also write to complaints@irda.gov.in or online or through post at:
Consumer Affairs Department
Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA)
3rd floor, Parishram Bhavan,
Basheer Bagh, Hyderabad
For still unresolved disputes of less than Rs 20 lakhs pertaining to claims settlement or regarding premiums paid/ payable and non-issue of insurance documents, the Insurance Ombudsman can be approached. The written complaint with the relevant claim papers can be send by the customer himself (no lawyer is required), within 1 year of dispute. After registering with the Ombudsman office, attach this application document.
Contact details of Insurance Ombudsmen in India
Contact Details
Jurisdiction
MUMBAI
Office of the Insurance Ombudsman,
3rd Floor, Jeevan Seva Annexe,
S. V. Road, Santacruz (W),
Mumbai – 400 054.
Tel.:- 022-26106928/360/889
Fax:- 022-26106052
Email:- ombudsmanmumbai@gmail.com or
ombudsman@vsnl.net
States of Maharashtra and Goa.
AHMEDABAD
Office of the Insurance Ombudsman,
2nd floor, Ambica House,
Near C.U. Shah College,
5, Navyug Colony, Ashram Road,
Ahmedabad – 380 014
Tel.:- 079-27546150/139
Fax:- 079-27546142
Email:- insombahd@rediffmail.com
State of Gujarat and Union Territories of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.
BHOPAL
Office of the Insurance Ombudsman,
Janak Vihar Complex,
2nd Floor, 6, Malviya Nagar,
Opp.Airtel,
Bhopal – 462 011.
Tel.:- 0755-2769200/201/202
Fax:- 0755-2769203
Email:- bimalokpalbhopal@airtelbroadband.in
States of Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh.
BHUBANESHWAR
Office of the Insurance Ombudsman,
62, Forest park,
Bhubneshwar – 751 009.
Tel.:- 0674-2535220/3798/1607
Fax:- 0674-2531607
Email:- ioobbsr@dataone.in
State of Orissa.
CHANDIGARH
Office of the Insurance Ombudsman,
S.C.O. No. 101, 102 & 103, 2nd
Floor,
Batra Building, Sector 17 – D,
Chandigarh – 160 017.
Tel.:- 0172-2706196/5861/6468
Fax:- 0172-2708274
Email:- ombchd@yahoo.co.in
States of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Union territory of Chandigarh.
CHENNAI
Office of the Insurance Ombudsman,
Fatima Akhtar Court,
4th Floor, 453 (old 312), Anna Salai,
Teynampet,
CHENNAI – 600 018.
Tel.:- 044-24333678/664/668
Fax:- 044-24333664
Email:- insombud@md4.vsnl.net.in
State of Tamil Nadu and Union Territories – Pondicherry Town and Karaikal (which are part of Union Territory of Pondicherry).
DELHI
Office of the Insurance Ombudsman,
2/2 A, Universal Insurance Building,
Asaf Ali Road,
New Delhi – 110 002.
Tel.:- 011-23239611/7539/7532
Fax:- 011-23230858
Email:- iobdelraj@rediffmail.com
States of Delhi and Rajasthan.
GUWAHATI
Office of the Insurance Ombudsman,
‘Jeevan Nivesh’, 5th Floor,
Nr. Panbazar over bridge, S.S. Road,
Guwahati – 781001(ASSAM).
Tel.:- 0361-
2132204/2131307/2132205
Fax:- 0361-2732937
Email:- ombudsmanghy@rediffmail.com
States of Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Tripura.
HYDERABAD
Office of the Insurance Ombudsman,
6-2-46, 1st floor, “Moin Court”
Lane Opp. Saleem Function Palace,
A. C. Guards, Lakdi-Ka-Pool,
Hyderabad – 500 004.
Tel.:- 040-23325325/23312122
Fax:- 040-23376599
Email:- insombudhyd@gmail.com
States of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Union Territory of Yanam – a part of the Union Territory
of Pondicherry.
KOCHI
Office of the Insurance Ombudsman,
2nd Floor, CC 27 / 2603, Pulinat Bldg.,
Opp. Cochin Shipyard, M. G. Road,
Ernakulam – 682 015.
Tel.:- 0484-2358734/759/9338
Fax:- 0484-2359336
Email:- iokochi@asianetindia.com
State of Kerala and Union Territory of (a) Lakshadweep (b) Mahe-a part of Union Territory of Pondicherry.
KOLKATA
Office of the Insurance Ombudsman,
North British Bldg., 3rd Floor,
29, N. S. Road,
Kolkata – 700 001.
Tel.:- 033-22134869/67/66
Fax:- 033-22134868
Email:- iombkol@vsnl.net
States of West Bengal, Bihar, Sikkim, Jharkhand and Union Territories of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
LUCKNOW
Office of the Insurance Ombudsman,
6th Floor, Jeevan Bhawan,
Phase-II, Nawal Kishore Road,
Hazratganj,
Lucknow-226 001.
Tel.:- 0522-2201188/31330/1
Fax:- 0522-2231310.
Email:- ioblko@sancharnet.in
States of Uttar Pradesh and Uttaranchal.
Other general guidelines:
• Generally Family floater policy is cheaper than buying individual policies for family members.
• Generally bed charges are 1-2% of the sum assured, depending on your Insurance carrier. All other charges like doctor visit etc. are often related to this bed charge, so it is important to be within these limits.
• Co-Pay means that a certain percentage or a certain fixed amount of the claim has to be borne by the policyholder. If co-pay is 15%, then whatever is the hospital bill you will have to pay the 15% and balance 85% only will be paid by the Insurance company.
• Generally exclusions and pre-existing diseases are not covered by a medical insurance policy (as specified in their policy document). Generally these could be covered after 2 years of holding the policy. Consumer must be honest in disclosing pre-existing ailments, if any.
• Policy can be renewed within 15 days grace period after expiry of the policy. However coverage is not available for the days for which the premium was not received by the Insurance company.
• One can transfer the policy from one Insurance company to another and the credits (including cumulative bonus) would also be portable.
• New policy should be issued within 15 days of submission of proposal
• To keep a check that people don’t try to take a policy where they have been diagnosed with some illness and they require immediate hospitalization, a 30 day waiting period is kept, where Insurance Company will not pay any kind of claim within the first 30 days of taking the new policy, (exception is that if policyholder meets an accident then the claim is payable).
• Under Section 80D, annual deductions upto Rs 25,000 can be availed of (Rs 30,000 for senior citizens)
FAQ RELATED TO RIGHTS OF ASSOCIATION OF ALLOTTEES
Q.1 Is completion certificate and occupancy certificate to be made available to allottees?
A.1 Yes, when promoter obtains the completion certificate and occupancy certificate then the same will be made available to allottees individually or to Association of Allottees.
Q.2 Is right related to insurance will be transferred to Association of Allottees?
A.2 Promoter shall be liable to pay premium and charges in respect of the insurance and such will be transferred for the benefit of the allottees or Association of Allottees.
Q.3 To whom all the necessary document and plans, after handing of physical possession shall be transferred?
A.3 All the documents and plans after handing of physical possession shall be transferred to Association of Allottees.
Q.4 What if the project is developed on leasehold land?
A.4 Promoter after payment of all dues and charges will make available lease certificate to Association of Allottees.
Q.5 If registration of the project is revoked then what is the right of Association of Allottees?
A.5 In case registration is revoked then Association of Allottees shall have the first right for refusal for carrying out of the remaining development works.
- FAQ RELATED TO RIGHTS OF ALLOTTEES
Q.6 What information is to be given to the allottees?
A.6 He will be entitled to obtain information related to sanctioned plans, layout plans and other details of the project.
Q.7 If promoter breaches terms of agreement for sale then what will be the remedies available?
A.7 (i) If Allottee wants to withdraw from the project then he will be entitled for refund along with the interest and compensation.
(ii) If Allottee does not wish to withdraw then he shall be paid interest for every delayed month.
Q.8 If allottees makes advance or deposit on the basis of false incorrect statement contained in any notice, advertisement or prospectus then what will be the remedies available?
A.8 Allottees can withdraw from the project and will be entitled for refund along with the interest and compensation. Also if such person is not Allottee but affected investor then also he can claim relief.
Q.9 In case of defective title what are the rights of allottees?
A.9 Allottees will be entitled for compensation for any loss caused to him due to defective title of the land, and there is no time limit for claiming of such compensation.
Q.10 What are the provisions for execution of Agreement to Sale?
A.10 Only up to 10% of the cost of the apartment, plot or building can be accepted by the promoter before executing the agreement for sale. After that no promoter can accept any money from allottees without Agreement to Sale being registered.
Q.11 Where can allottees file their complaints and demand for remedy?
A.11 Aggrieved person may file complaint with Adjudicating Authority for interest and compensation under section 12, 14, 18 and 19.
Q.12 What is the time limit for execution of conveyance deed?
A.12 In the absence of any local law, conveyance deed in favour of the Allottee shall be carried out by the promoter within three months from the date of issue of occupancy certificate.
Q.13 What is the time limit to take physical possession by allottees?
A.13 Allottees shall take physical possession of apartment, plot, or building within period of two months from occupancy certificate issued by authority.
Q.14 What steps needed in case of additions and alterations in layout plan?
A.14 Prior written consent of 2/3rd of allottees is required in case there is major addition and alteration in the layout plan, sanctioned plan and specifications of the buildings or the common areas within the project.
Q.15 What are the rights of allottees for transfer of assignment of project to third party?
A.15 Transfer of project to third party cannot take place without prior written consent from two-third allottees and along with prior written permission of authority.
Q.16 What is the period for which the promoter is liable for any structural defects etc. in the project / apartment?
A.16 The promoter shall be liable for 5 years from the date of handing over of possessionto the Allottee towards structural defect or any otherdefect as specified therein. The defect should be rectified within 30 days.
- FAQ RELATED TO DUTIES OF ALLOTTEES
Q.17 In case Allottee fails to pay timely payment?
A.17 Allottees shall be liable to pay interest for a delayed period, at such rate as may be prescribed (rate of interest shall be equal for payment and refund).
Q.18 Is Allottee responsible to participate in formation of Association of Allottees?
A.18 Every Allottee shall participate in formation of Association of Allottees.
Q.19 Is Allottee responsible to participate in registration of conveyance deed?
A.19 Every Allottee shall participate towards registration of conveyance deed of apartment, plot, or building.
Q.20 Is Allottee responsible to take possession within two months of issue of occupancy certificate?
A.20 Every Allottee shall take physical possession of apartment, plot or building within two months of issue of occupancy certificate.
Q.21 If allottees do not comply with the order of authority?
A.21 Allottees shall be liable for penalty for the period of such default which may extend up to 5% of the plot, apartment or building cost.
Q.22 If allottees do not comply with the order of tribunal?
A.22 Allottees shall be punishable with imprisonment for a tenure which may extend up to 1 year or fine for every day during which such default continues, which may extend up to 10% of the plot, apartment or building cost.
(FAQ Source Tax Guru)