Swine Flu -Is it covered or not?

Insurance companies have come out with some clarifications and these are;

1. Cost of Tami flu is not covered as this is being given by the Government on free of cost basis.
2. Private hospitals can charge the patient for facilities like tests, beds and doctors fees. And this will be covered.
3. If admitted in a hospital and the tests are negative then nothing is payable. If positive then it is payable.
4. If it is a new policy then 30 days clause is applicable. Summary of all points is do not wait ,get health insurance policy ,otherwise be prepared to be treated in one of the government owned hospital. Wish you best of luck so that you don’t get affected with this disease.

TPA’s to deduct TDS when releasing payment to Hospitals

Recent news item indicates that this decision is being implemented. We are not going into details but we feel that the impact of this will be increase in rates by hospitals as they will find it a necessity to increase the rates with a view to handle the increased need for working capital.

The normal inflation of health acre in India is 15% per year-should we expect 18% this year. Let us wait and watch.

Medical Mafia Aug 28, 2009 issue of Fortune

It is always a pleasure to read independent articles in publications like Fortune, where unbiased article can be eye opener for all of us.

This article is worth reading – where a group comprising of doctors and lawyers handles the cases and fights with Health Insurance co’s so that the genuine or inflated claims are passed.

They manage the best of doctors assisted by lawyers to appear in the court so that the client gets paid. Ofcourse the agreed % out of this payment goes into their (lawyer/doctors) pocket. Question before us is does it happen because Health Insurance co’s are hesitant in passing of claims?

We do hope that Indian Non Life Insurance co’s as well as Health Insurance co’s will take corrective steps and we can avoid excessive role for lawyers to get the claims passed.