NEW DELHI
The Centre has urged insurance companies and hospitals to work faster and more smoothly while handling health insurance claims, aiming to make healthcare more affordable and easier for people across the country. In an official statement, the government asked all stakeholders to quickly join the National Health Claims Exchange, adopt common treatment rules, follow uniform empanelment norms, and ensure simple and seamless cashless claim processing.
M. Nagaraju, Secretary of the Department of Financial Services (DFS), led a meeting focused on rising medical costs and increasing insurance premiums. Representatives from the General Insurance Council, the Association of Healthcare Providers in India, and major hospital groups such as Max, Fortis, and Apollo attended. Key insurers, including New India Assurance, Star Health, Bajaj Allianz, and others, also participated.
Nagaraju stressed that standardised empanelment rules across insurers would help policyholders get smooth cashless treatment everywhere. Such uniformity would also improve service quality, reduce paperwork, and ease administrative pressure on hospitals. He reminded insurers that policyholders must receive timely support, especially during hospitalisation and claim approvals, and that delays should be minimised.
He also pointed out that medical inflation is influenced by several cost factors, and the best way forward is stronger cooperation between hospitals and insurers. By working together on cost control and standardisation, both sides can improve transparency, reduce inefficiencies, and deliver better value for patients and policyholders.
Several senior industry leaders, including Inderjeet Singh of the General Insurance Council, Dr. Suneeta Reddy of Apollo Hospitals, Abhay Soi of Max Healthcare, and others, shared their views during the meeting. All stakeholders agreed that coordinated efforts are essential for building a more reliable, affordable, and efficient healthcare system for the public.