Choosing the right health insurance provider involves more than just looking at numbers on a chart. While metrics like claim settlement ratio are important, it does not paint the complete picture. A high claim settlement ratio is reassuring, but does it promise a smooth claims experience? Not really. True dependability goes far beyond this single metric, it's about an insurer's efficient and fair handling of the claims when they need it the most. In short, medical emergencies are unpredictable; hence, during such moments, an insurer offering financial security as well as hassle-free support would be a boon.
One of the health insurance providers is Niva Bupa Health Insurance Company Limited, formerly known as Max Bupa Health Insurance Company Limited. Being a standalone health insurance company, it aims to financially protect and enhance people's health. How efficient is it in handling claims in the real world?
Taking a deeper look at the Niva Bupa Health Insurance Company’s claim settlement ratio in this article, we will unscramble what it really stands for. Beyond numbers, let's take an in-depth peek into the company's approach to claim settlements and whether it really does live up to its promises to offer dependent health coverage. Let's get down to business.
What Is The Claim Settlement Ratio And How It Is Calculated?
The claim settlement ratio indicates the percentage to which an insurance company processes and pays claims. It measures the ratio of claims settled by the insurance company to the total claims received in a fiscal year.
The formula for calculating CSR is as follows:
Claim Settlement Ratio = (Total claims settled) / (Total claims received + Outstanding claims from the previous year) × 100
While CSR is often considered to be a vital measure of the reliability of an insurer, it only gives a partial view of the overall picture.
We shall discuss this in more detail in the following section, but for now, let's shift our focus to the Niva Bupa Health Insurance Company’s claim settlement ratio.
Niva Bupa Health Insurance Key Features and Benefits
Niva Bupa Health Insurance Company Limited, which was previously known as Max Bupa Health Insurance Company Limited, is a health insurance company founded in 2008 in New Delhi, India. It is a joint venture between Bupa Singapore Holdings Pte. Limited and Fettle Tone LLP. The firm offers a diversified set of health insurance plans. This is provided based on specific requirements, and there are various products, such as individual policies, family floater plans, top-up coverage, etc. The Chief Executive Officer of the company and its Managing Director is Mr. Ashish Mehrotra.
Below are a few notable facts about the firm:
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Bupa Singapore Holdings Pte. Limited and Fettle Tone LLP
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% of complaints received on overall claims
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% of Complaints received for after-sales service
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Claims settled in less than 30 days
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No. of Cashless Hospitals
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Source: Niva Bupa Health Insurance Company’s official website and public disclosure for the financial year 2023-2024.
Niva Bupa Health Insurance Company’s Benefits:
Health insurance is one of the most vital protection measures taken by individuals to cope with the high costs of medical care and hospitalisations. Its main purpose is to ease the financial burden of healthcare expenses by paying for a great part of medical bills. Different features that could be enjoyed by insureds:
- Covering the Cost of Hospital Stay
Health insurance helps manage the costs of hospitalisation by paying the expenses incurred during a stay in the hospital for more than 24 hours. This includes charges for room rent, nursing care, diagnostic tests, surgical procedures, and all other hospital charges.
- Coverage for Expenses Before and After Hospitalisation
Medical expenses don't only appear while in a hospital; they also occur even before admission and after discharge. Health insurance will pay for all of these as long as the services are directly associated with the condition that led to hospitalisation. Pre-hospitalisation expenses are covered if they are directly related to the medical condition that necessitated the hospitalisation and are approved as part of the inpatient treatment. Similarly, post-hospitalisation should be associated with the same illness and must have been covered within the inpatient benefit.
- Coverage For Daycare Medical Procedures
Advancements in medical technology now allow many treatments and surgeries to be performed without the need for an overnight hospital stay. Health insurance policies typically cover these daycare procedures, helping manage costs for speedier treatments like gallbladder removal, hernia repairs, and chemotherapy.
- Coverage For Domiciliary Medical Care
In some instances, a patient might require medical care at home since they cannot be moved because of their illness or due to the unavailability of beds in hospitals. Most health insurance covers these home-based treatments and thus guarantees that the care required is delivered, even though it is outside a hospital environment.
- Preventive Health Check-Ups Coverage
Health check-ups are essential for early prevention and detection. Most health insurance plans offer free health screenings, which encourage individuals to take care of themselves through routine check-ups and tests.
- Reward for Claim-Free Years
Most health insurance plans provide a no-claim bonus, a reward to those who do not file any claim within the policy year. During renewal, this benefit can be used to either increase the sum insured or reduce the premium, thus encouraging people to stay healthy.
- Tax Benefits on Premium Payments
Health insurance is not just about health safety but also provides benefits both in the form of cashless claims as well as through tax savings. Premium payments qualify for deductions under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act, subject to specified conditions. The amount of deduction depends on the number of insured people and even additional allowances when the parents are senior citizens or dependent ones.
- Cashless Hassle-Free Treatment
The significant benefit of health insurance is that it gives a choice for cashless treatment at the network hospitals. Any medical expense is settled directly by the insurer and the hospital, thereby saving the patient from any upfront payouts. Healthcare access is made smoother, especially in emergency situations. Any costs not covered by the policy remain the responsibility of the insured individual.
Health insurance is important for protecting an individual's financial security against high medical expenses. From hospital stays to preventive check-ups, it offers comprehensive coverage, tax benefits, and flexible options for enhanced protection. It can ease the management of uncertain healthcare costs on any given day.
Note: Each insurance provider's coverage, terms, and conditions are different. Careful scrutiny of policy documents is essential for understanding the plan's benefits and limitations. Tax benefits may vary with the change in tax regulations from time to time.
What Is The Claim Settlement Ratio Of Niva Bupa Health Insurance?
As of March 2024, Niva Bupa Health Insurance Company has a claim settlement ratio of 85.18%, according to its public disclosure for the financial year 2023-24.
What Is The Claim Process Of Niva Bupa Health Insurance?
Niva Bupa Health Insurance Company offers two options for making a claim:
Cashless Claim
This process applies when treatment is sought at a hospital that is within the insurer's network. The hospitals have an arrangement directly with the insurance provider, so they settle medical bills without demanding any upfront payments. The insurer will pay for all approved expenses, while the insured will be liable for any costs that are not payable.
Cashless Claim Process
The first and foremost requirement for hassle-free cashless claim processes is the correct adherence to the steps involved. So, here is what you have to do:
- Confirm if your chosen hospital is within the network of your insurer and if they entertain cashless claims.
- Make sure the selected hospital is not an excluded provider and can get cashless treatment under your policy.
- Review the terms and conditions of your health insurance policy to know what is excluded or what you will have to pay out-of-pocket.
- Collect all the documents required, such as a copy of the policy, the proposer's PAN and Aadhaar, and patient identification, to start the cashless claim process.
- Submit the claim request within 24 hours for emergency hospitalisation and at least 3–4 days before admission for planned treatments.
- You provide all the relevant details and documents for pre-authorisation, such as a health card, policy details, the KYC documents of the proposer (PAN, Aadhaar), the patient's ID, and information regarding the attending doctor.
- You should be prepared for advance payment if the process of pre-authorisation takes more time than expected.
- Make sure that the insurance desk in the hospital submits all documents to the insurer once the discharge date is confirmed.
- Stay attentive to any communication from your insurer and respond promptly to requests for information or additional documents.
- Keep track of the claim status to prevent delay in its processing.
- Make sure to scrutinise the final hospital bill and discharge summary closely to identify expenses not covered, as well as confirm the amount remaining.
- If you still have any doubts or problems, feel free to contact your insurance company directly or seek their advice from your financial advisor.
- Before leaving the hospital, settle all the outstanding bills that will not be settled by your insurance policy.
Thus, if you take all the steps as suggested above, it will be a smooth process, and you may not face last-minute complexities in the process of cashless claims.
Reimbursement Claims
In the case of treatment received at a hospital that is not part of the insurer's network, all medical expenses are paid upfront. Subsequently, a claim for reimbursement can be submitted, and the refund by the insurer would be paid as specified in the policy conditions.
Reimbursement Claim Process
A claim for reimbursement needs to be made while following the proper procedures. Here's what you need to do:
- Check whether the hospital you were treated in has not been included in the list of excluded healthcare providers.
- Inform your insurance company within 24 hours of hospital admission to start the reimbursement procedure.
- Collect all original documents, such as medical bills, receipts, discharge summaries, medical reports, MRI/X-ray images, prescriptions, and the filled-in claim form by the hospital, before the patient is discharged.
- The patient's detailed hospital bill that contains the entire breakdown of all the charges along with the case sheet or indoor case papers.
- Check whether the patient's name, gender, and age are correctly stated in all documents and have the errors corrected right away.
- Required documents like health card, policy copies, and proposer's KYC documents (i.e., PAN, Aadhaar, passport-size photograph, bank details, etc.) are collected. Additionally, one needs the ID proof of the patient, the signed claim form, and the original discharge summary, along with special invoices or stickers in case of implantation claims, for instance, knee replacement or cataract surgery.
- Make copies of all documents, keeping them ready for easy reference.
- Fill out the claim form and submit it to your insurer with all the required documents.
- Get an acknowledgement from your insurer that they have received the original paperwork.
- Keep communicating with your insurer to follow up on the progress of your claim.
- In case your insurer requests any additional documents, forward them immediately to prevent delays.
- Carefully read the summary of the claim settlement and check for any deductions.
- If you are unsure or have questions, please contact your insurance company or financial advisor for help.
Documents Required For Niva Bupa Health Insurance Claims
Getting the right set of documents while filing a claim saves a lot of hassle. Any cashless or reimbursement claim with Niva Bupa requires at least the following documents:
Cashless Claims:
- Insurance company-issued health card
- KYC of the proposer, including the PAN card, Aadhaar card, and passport-sized photographs within the last month
- Patient identity proof
- The insured person KYC documents
- Policy number for reference
- Full name of the insured
- Insured's name and address as mentioned in the claim form
- Nature of ailment and its treatment or surgery
- Contact numbers and address of the treating physician
- Anticipated date of hospitalisation
- Medical history, both related and unrelated to the current condition, as inconsistencies with initial policy disclosures may lead to claim denial.
Reimbursement Claims:
- Health card or a replica of the policy
- KYC documents of the Proposer
- PAN card
- Aadhaar card
- Current passport-size photograph
- Bank details in view of the settlement of claims, through:
- Bank statement showing the name of the bank along with the account number and IFSC code.
- Passbook with the latest transaction page.
- Original cancelled cheque with the name of the insured printed on it
- Identity proof of the patient
- Duly filled and signed claim form
- All the medical records which are relevant, such as test reports, prescriptions, films for the diagnostic tests, and even receipts from the treatment
- Original summary discharge from the hospital
- Sticker and bill for IOL (Intra Ocular Lens), implantation-related claims like knee replacement, cataract, etc.
Note: It is recommended to contact Niva Bupa Health Insurance Company to verify any specific documentation requirements or additional formalities.
How To Track Your Niva Bupa Health Insurance Claim Status?
You can check the status of your claim by logging in to this site and clicking the 'Claim Status' tab. You will find the status when you enter your registered mobile number.
Besides, you can call Niva Bupa customer care at 1860-500-8888 and directly talk to the representative. You can let them know you want to track the claim, and they will guide you.
In Summary
The claim settlement ratio of Niva Bupa Health Insurance Company stands at 85.18% as of March 31, 2024. Be it a cashless or reimbursement claim, the whole process can be smooth and hassle-free if one is well-versed in the procedure and documents required. Choosing a reliable health insurance provider ensures that you and your family members are protected against any unforeseen medical expenses in this fast-changing world of health insurance.
FAQs
The claim settlement ratio of Niva Bupa Health Insurance Company as of March 2024 is 85.18%, according to the public disclosure for FY-2023-24.
Niva Bupa Health Insurance Company has settled 99.95% of claims in less than 30 days in FY 2023-24, according to the public disclosure for FY-2023-24.
The needed documents for a Niva Bupa Health Insurance claim depend on the type of claim. Cashless claims require a health card, KYC documents, details of the policy, and relevant medical records. For reimbursement claims, a properly filled-up claim form, copy of the policy, original hospital bills, discharge summary, medical reports, and cancelled cheque are provided. Requirements may vary according to the involved insurer, so one should verify the details.
Niva Bupa Health Insurance Company covers pre-existing diseases after a waiting period, which is different for each policy. Generally, the waiting period can go up to three years. After this period is over, one can avail of the coverage. Always refer to the policy terms and conditions for an accurate understanding of eligibility and exclusions.
Simply having a policy doesn’t guarantee claim approval, claims can still be rejected if they don’t meet the policy’s terms and conditions. It is not guaranteed that a valid policy will lead to the approval of a claim if it falls under exclusions, the waiting period has not been met, essential documents are missing, or the claim does not meet the specific requirements of the insurer.
You can check the status of your claim with Niva Bupa Health Insurance Company by visiting their official website, using their mobile app, calling their customer care helpline, or visiting the nearest branch. Some insurers also send SMS or email status updates for ease.
The claims settlement ratio is calculated based on factors such as the number of claims received and settled, timeliness of settlement, accuracy of documentation, and compliance with the policy’s terms and conditions.
A high claim settlement ratio reflects a good track record of an insurer in settling the claims, though it does not guarantee that every claim will be settled. All claims are dealt with on an individual basis as per the policy terms and exclusions and the accuracy of all relevant documents.