Check Problems With Having Cashless Mediclaim?
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Though most plans offer cashless mediclaim and reimbursement claim settlement policy, reimbursement option is not favored because it involves the policyholders to pay the bills initially and then get it settled from the insurer. It is argued that a common man faces difficulty in meeting such expenses and so a cashless claim is better. However, a cashless mediclaim plan also has some challenges that make availing the claim a nightmare.
A cashless mediclaim insurance plan has two concepts; one is the Preferred Provider Network (PPN), which is a hospital that is tied-up with the insurer to provide cashless treatments to the policyholder. The other concept is that of a Third Party Administrator (TPA) that is the mediator between the mediclaim insurance company and the policyholder and is responsible for the smooth settlement of claims.
If a policyholder is admitted in a PPN hospital and identifies him with the TPA, he could avail of a cashless treatment and his hospital bills would be settled by the mediclaim insurance company directly without him having to shoulder the burden himself. This is the complete concept of a cashless hospitalization. However, this form of a claim settlement process is fraught with challenges and protocols.
Challenges With Having Cashless Mediclaim Insurance
1. Getting a Part of the Claim Settled
A very common scenario is where the mediclaim insurer settles only a part of the total expenses incurred. For instance, you might be hospitalized for appendicitis for which the insurer is paying about Rs.25, 000. However, you develop a complication post-surgery which results in an extended hospital stay chalking up a total bill of Rs.40, 000, out of which the mediclaim insurer pays only Rs.25, 000 as cashless claim and the pending amount is later reimbursed.
2. Not Getting the Facility of Cashless Treatment
This happens mostly in emergency cases where the TPAs require time to facilitate cashless mediclaim treatment. In such cases, the insured or his family is asked to bear the costs and later get them reimbursed from the insurer despite the insured being admitted in a network hospital
3. Excluded Treatments
It is an obvious one because treatments which are excluded from the scope of your health plan would not be provided by your mediclaim insurer.
4. The Document Jumble
Availability of cashless treatment requires adherence to documentation, especially the pre-authorization form which is to be submitted to the TPA to facilitate cashless treatment. Policyholders, being ignorant, fail to stick to the documentation, which results in difficulties in getting a cashless claim.
Conclusion
A cashless settlement, though convenient, has certain challenges when it comes to fulfilling the promise made. The challenges may stem from the fault of the policyholders, TPAs or hospitals. Passing the blame would be useless as the policyholder would be the one who ultimately suffers. You, as a policyholder, should take the precautionary measures to ensure adherence to protocols which would help you in getting a cashless settlement with ease and convenience.
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