Medical Insurance Frauds & Scams in India

What is Health Insurance Fraud?

Health insurance is quickly emerging as the best investment tool for all kinds of people across all ages and sections of society. This is owing to the enormous benefits offered by health insurance, which include coverage for medical bills, hospitalisation, and even post-operative care. Essentially, health insurance keeps the policyholder from having to dip into their savings or funds to meet unexpected medical emergencies.

Unfortunately, as health insurance policies gain prominence, there are also many who seek to benefit from these policies using fraudulent means. False raising of claims on health insurance policies and receiving their benefits constitute health insurance fraud. 

Run-down of Health Insurance Frauds in India 

As one of the largest insurance markets in the world, India’s insurance industry deals with many thousands of new policies being bought and many claims being raised all within a day. 

As per reports, the Indian insurance industry loses approximately $6 billion annually due to medical insurance scams and frauds.

For instance, Mr. Singh bought a health insurance policy that offers coverage for two different kinds of treatment. However, Mr. Singh is forced to undergo a different treatment at the time of illness. In order to claim the benefits of his health insurance policy, Mr. Singh persuades his doctor to mention that he underwent the treatment for which he is eligible to receive the sum assured, as per the policy. This is a clear example of health insurance fraud by Mr. Singh. 

Also Read: Best Health Insurance Companies in India 2022

Types of Health Insurance Frauds

Aside from the example of health insurance fraud cited above, there are many different types of health insurance fraud. Read below to learn about the different types.

1. Claim Fraud

Claim fraud is the most common type of health insurance fraud. It occurs when a policyholder overstates the expenses that occurred in their medical treatment or submits fraudulent medical bills. Some of the medical insurance scams uncovered have also seen policyholders themselves forging medical bills to receive the sum assured.

2. Application Fraud

Application fraud refers to the policyholder withholding information or lying regarding details that are to be mandatorily disclosed at the time of purchasing the policy. These could include details such as pre-existing illnesses or lifestyle choices, the disclosure of which would cause the premium to rise. 

3. Eligibility Fraud

Eligibility fraud may occur in cases where the policyholder submits claims for conditions or treatments that are not covered as part of their policy. 

However, it is important to remember that eligibility fraud can also occur unbeknownst to the policyholder. This is why it is necessary to read the fine print of health insurance documents and learn the inclusions and exclusions of your policy. Head on over to Bajaj Markets, where you can apply for a health insurance policy for only Rs. 244 a month and a representative will also carefully explain the fine print to you.

How Insurers Are Fighting With the Frauds

Insurers are constantly working towards reducing the number of health insurance frauds that occur. You can also do your part and report health insurance fraud if you are a witness to it. Read on to learn how the insurance industry is attempting to reduce medical insurance scams.

1. Insurance providers and regulators are implementing strict guidelines and standards that will apply to clinics where policyholders seek treatment and the medicines they use.

2. Regulators are also building data sets of medical insurance scams so that the patterns of fraud can be recorded and insurers can then take steps to ensure these don’t happen again.

3. Many insurers are also setting up “extortion anticipation units” that participate in field examinations and check cases that sound a little suspicious to the insurer.

Consequences of Committing Health Insurance Fraud

Regardless of the type of health insurance fraud committed, the consequences are stringent. Read on to learn about the outcome of committing health insurance fraud.

1. The policyholder could lose all the benefits of the policy entirely. 

2. Any claims raised that are found to be fraudulent will be rejected.

3. As a result of losing the benefits of the policy, the policyholder could end up having to bear heavy medical expenses. 

4. Another consequence of losing the benefits of the medical insurance policy could be that the policyholder loses access to the best network of medical institutions and doctors. 

5. Renewing an existing health insurance policy or even purchasing a new one might prove difficult once the policyholder has been found to have committed medical insurance scams.

Conclusion

Medical insurance fraud is a serious concern in India and can have several negative outcomes for the policyholders, such as those listed above. While it is true that there are examples of health insurance fraud that occurred without the policyholder’s notice, this makes it even more important for the policyholder to read the fine print of the insurance documents.

Head over to Bajaj Markets, where you can buy a health insurance policy for as little as Rs. 244 a month and get benefits such as no capping on room rent, no medical checkup for those younger than 55 years, and even post-operative care coverage. 

Best Health Insurance Plans Available at Bajaj Markets