India’s health insurance system is under serious strain — and it’s the middle class that is paying the price.
Premiums have surged by 50%–200% in just three years, but when it comes to claims, policyholders are facing delays, partial payouts, and outright rejections. What was meant to be financial protection is increasingly becoming a source of stress during medical emergencies.
Despite regulations by IRDAI — including timelines for approvals and caps on premium hikes — enforcement remains weak. Mis-selling by banks, opaque policy terms, outdated coverage limits, and unchecked hospital billing practices have created a system where:
- Insurers minimise payouts
- Hospitals maximise billing
- Consumers are left stuck in between
With a 73% health protection gap and rising medical inflation, even those who are insured are discovering that coverage may not be enough when it matters most.
Is health insurance still a safety net — or just an expensive illusion?
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