As India’s healthcare sector undergoes rapid digital and clinical transformation, the country’s health insurance industry is adapting to meet the demands of modern medical practices. The traditional requirement of a minimum 24-hour hospital stay to qualify for insurance claims is giving way to more flexible policies, reflecting advancements in treatment protocols.
Historically, health insurance claims were only accepted after a patient had been hospitalized for at least 24 hours. However, this approach is becoming outdated due to significant progress in medical science and healthcare delivery.
Siddharth Singhal, Head of Health Insurance at Policybazaar, explained, “Historically, health insurance policies operated on the traditional model where claims were admissible only after a day’s hospitalisation. But medical science and healthcare delivery have evolved significantly.”
Many procedures that once required overnight stays can now be completed within just a few hours.
Treatments such as cataract surgeries, angiographies, dialysis, chemotherapy, and minor orthopaedic interventions often take only two to six hours, thanks to technological advancements and improved clinical practices. This shift is prompting insurers to update policies, offering better financial protection aligned with today’s healthcare realities.
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