Mumbai meeting with IRDAI, insurers and leading hospitals focuses on patient welfare, rising insurance coverage, and stricter monitoring of medical billing practices.
Maharashtra Health Minister Prakash Abitkar has directed health insurance companies and private hospitals to prioritise patient welfare, ensure transparency in medical billing, and expedite the settlement of insurance claims.
The directive was issued during a high-level meeting held at Mantralaya, aimed at addressing complaints from patients regarding delays in insurance approvals and excessive hospital charges.
Meeting Brings Together Insurers, Hospitals and Regulator
The meeting brought together representatives from the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), major insurance providers, and leading private hospitals.
Insurance companies present included IndusInd General Insurance, Tata AIG General Insurance, SBI General Insurance, Star Health and Allied Insurance, and HDFC ERGO General Insurance.
Hospital representatives from Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre, Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre, and Wockhardt Hospitals also participated in the discussions.
Focus on Delayed Claims and Billing Disputes
According to reports, the meeting addressed growing concerns over delays in insurance claim approvals and inconsistencies in hospital billing practices.
During the discussion, Abitkar noted that although hospitals and insurance companies operate commercially, the healthcare system must remain patient-centric. He stressed the need to develop a clear operational framework involving insurers, hospitals, IRDAI and the state health department to streamline processes and improve patient services.
Rising Insurance Coverage Requires Greater Transparency
The minister highlighted that the number of people purchasing health insurance is steadily increasing, making it crucial for hospitals and insurers to maintain transparent practices and provide prompt services.
He also warned that the state government would take strict action if irregularities or malpractice were detected in billing or claim processing.
Maharashtra Eyeing Growth in Medical Tourism
Abitkar pointed out that cities such as Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur already possess strong medical infrastructure and experienced specialists, giving Maharashtra significant potential to expand medical tourism.
Hospitals Asked to Register on IRDAI Portal
The health minister directed hospitals across the state to register themselves on the IRDAI portal and ensure that their institutional information remains updated.
He also emphasised the need to introduce a defined timeline for approving insurance claims, noting that poor coordination between hospitals and insurers often causes financial and emotional stress for patients.
State May Introduce Monitoring System for Claims
Currently, around 7,000 to 8,000 hospitals in Maharashtra provide treatment under insurance-based services. However, the government has received complaints about irregularities in certain cases.
Abitkar stated that strict action would be taken under the Bombay Nursing Act if malpractice is detected. He also suggested that major hospitals display treatment rate charts to ensure transparency in medical charges.
The meeting further explored the possibility of introducing standard treatment protocols to address variations in treatment costs for the same medical condition across different hospitals.
The state government is also considering a common empanelment system for hospitals and insurance companies. Additionally, hospitals and insurers have been instructed to regularly submit data on approved and rejected claims, along with patient complaints, to the health department.
Officials indicated that with the support of IRDAI, Maharashtra could become the first state in the country to implement a dedicated monitoring mechanism for health insurance claim approvals and patient grievances.
