A group health insurance claim is a request that a health insurance policyholder (employee) submits to a health insurance company to get the services mentioned in their health plan/policy during hospitalization or medical treatments. By sending this request, the health insurer is notified to initiate the claim process.
There are two types of claims in group health insurance. They are cashless claims and reimbursement claims.
As the name suggests, it frees us from handling money during medical emergencies. In a cashless claim, the insurer settles the medical bills directly with the hospital itself. This is applicable only if the policyholder is admitted to a network hospital.
In the case of surgery, hospitalization is planned. Whenever a hospitalization is planned, the policyholder must inform the TPA or network hospital at least 72 hours prior.
For availing of a cashless claim for emergency hospitalization, you will have to inform the insurer or TPA within 24 hours of hospitalization.
In a reimbursement claim, once the insured is admitted to a hospital, the bills are paid from your pockets. Later, the insurance company will reimburse the claim amount to you once you provide the necessary documentation.
This is why it is important to choose an insurer with an extensive hospital network and a high claim settlement ratio. A claim settlement ratio suggests the percentage of claims settled by the insurance company to the policyholders in a financial year.
The claim process might vary depending on your insurer. Below is the common claims process for cashless.
The reimbursement claims can be initiated in a hospital of your choice. The general procedure includes
Claim number is a number given by the insurer after a claim is raised. Every claim number is unique.
Claim intimation is informing your insurer or TPA when you are going to raise a claim. This allows them to provide you with insurance services.
Claim limit does not mean a limit on the number of claims. It is limit on the amount/sum insured. You can file any number of claims but only up to the limit of your total sum insured. If you have a sum insured of 5 lacs, then you can file multiple claims till you reach the 5 lac limit.
