Its been months since the public sector health insurance companies proclaimed a black-list of hospitals where the cashless facility would not function. This was done in response to hospitals overcharging patients with cashless health insurance service. The hospitals were having a field day simply because the patient never really asked several number of questions as long as they did not have to pay anything.

The cashless facility was restored and moreover the hospitals got talking to the public sector health insurance companies for a contract in which no one suffers a loss of business and moreover the customer will not be harmed badly. The hospitals proposed that they can in fact decrease the prices for the customers having health insurance policies from the public sector health insurance companies, if they offers bulk business. Eventhough this sounds good in theory, in practice to make sure that these hospitals got bulk business, the health insurance companies would have to stop cashless facilities in a lot of hospitals, as a result of which customers would flock to these hospitals providing lower rates.

This functions good for the health insurance company and the hospitals, but the customer would suffer as his choices will get limited and furthermore he will be forced to move to a hospital that has a bulk business tie-up with the health insurance company.

The four public sector health insurance organizations Oriental Insurance, New India, United Indi and National Insurance together have more than 50% of the health insurance market and futher it is impossible that they would take a step that will be unfavourable to the customer. This idea is in discussion stage and it is impossible to see the light of the day in the today’s format. Given the joint capacity of the 4 public sector companies, they might be able to tell the hospitals to anyway minimize the rates.

It would be an ideal scenario where the customer has the choice to go anywhere for medical treatment but can be guaranteed of lowered rates if they go to a partner hospital of the medical insurance provider.

Direct Claims Settlement by Tourist Insurance

One of the main problems with travel insurance is the process of submitting a claim and having the money one has spent on medical expenses returned by the insurance company. Insurance companies are eager when they want to sell you the tourist health insurance. But when it comes to tourist insurance claims, the process can be long-winded.

It is also a hassle when you have to pay upfront fees to hospitals and clinics to get treated and then have to pay another hefty fee when getting discharged. It can be a difficult process, especially when the expenses are high.

You can actually avoid all this trouble with the right tourist insurance. There are some tourist health insurance policies, which will take care of all these on your behalf. This is called cashless claims settlement or direct claims settlement. It is an invaluable service towards every insured person and makes his or her life much easier.

The insurance for tourists companies usually provides a facility for in-network hospitals and healthcare providers. The process of settlement is very simple. In case you are planning to get hospitalized, you first let the tourist health insurance company know. This process is called pre-authorization. If necessary, you provide proof of the need for treatment like a doctor’s certificate. The insurance company can help you locate a clinic or hospital nearby. Direct payment by the provider is usually possible when the provider is in the network.

Many tourist health insurance companies already provide this kind of settlement with tourist insurance claims. By purchasing a
tourists insurance that has this advantage, you will have some peace of mind while getting treated. That is because you will be free from settling your claims after the bills have been paid by you.

Some tourist insurance companies will also provide this service for emergency hospitalization if admitted to a non-network hospitals. In that case it is recommended that you call the insurance company to get pre-authorized. This should be done as early as possible, and in an emergency, it can be done even after the patient has been admitted. The family or a friend of the patient usually does this.

With direct claims, there is a lot less to worry about. Your insurance for tourists claims are happening directly between the provider and the insurance claims department and hence you do not have to act as the go between. You do not have to worry about the financial strain that comes with having to pay huge medical bills in the midst of a crisis. Besides, you will not have claim forms to fill and submit after discharge.

With the right tourist health insurance policy, you can get the treatment you need for your unexpected injury or illness and rest easy knowing that the expenses for the same have been taken care of. You do not have to empty your bank account to pay heavy upfront fees before treatment. All this will all be taken care of on your behalf.