Onsurity Editorial
March 18, 2025
10 min read
700Table of Contents
Imagine rushing a loved one to the hospital, only to be burdened with the stress of arranging cash at the last moment. In critical situations, every second counts, and financial worries should be the last thing on your mind.
With healthcare costs rising by 14% annually in India, cashless health insurance isn’t just a convenience—it’s a necessity. These plans allow you to receive treatment at network hospitals without upfront payments, as your insurer handles the bills directly. No reimbursement delays, no financial strain, just swift and hassle-free medical care when you need it most.
To help you make an informed choice, we’ve rounded up the top 5 cashless health insurance plans in India for 2025. Let’s find the right coverage for you and your family.
Cashless vs. Reimbursement: Insurance Policies in India
Health insurance in India is available in two forms: reimbursement-based and cashless policies.
In a reimbursement-based policy, the insured pays for hospital expenses out of pocket and later submits bills to the insurer for reimbursement. While this ensures coverage, it requires immediate funds and involves a waiting period for claim approval.
A cashless health insurance policy eliminates the need for upfront payments. The insurer directly settles the bill with the hospital, provided it is within the insurer’s network of hospitals. This makes the process seamless and reduces financial stress during emergencies.
Also read: Top 10 Health Insurance Companies in India
What is Cashless Health Insurance?
A cashless health insurance is a form of medical insurance where policyholders receive treatment at network hospitals without paying any fees beforehand. Rather than paying the charge out of pocket and seeking reimbursement, the policyholder makes no direct payment, and the insurer settles the amount directly with the hospital.
Here’s how cashless health insurance works:
1. Choose a Network Hospital: Select a hospital that is part of your insurer’s network.
2. Pre-Authorisation Request: The hospital submits a request to the insurer or Third-Party Administrator (TPA) for approval.
3. Verification & Approval: The insurer reviews the request and approves treatment based on policy coverage.
4. Receive Treatment: Get the necessary medical care without making any upfront payments.
5. Direct Bill Settlement: After treatment, the insurer directly pays the hospital as per the policy terms.
Why Are Network Hospitals Important?
With cashless health insurance, you can focus on recovery without financial stress, ensuring timely medical care when it matters most.
Network hospitals are providers of medical services who have contracts with the insurance company for the cashless treatment of patients. Network hospitals are indispensable for the following reasons:
- Exclusive Cashless Benefits: Cashless claims can only be availed at network hospitals. Treatment at non-network hospitals requires upfront payment, followed by a reimbursement process.
- Pre-Defined Treatment Costs: The insurer issues a standing order to the network hospital allowing cashless treatment at defined rates for a set of procedures.
- Eliminates Reimbursement Hassles: Since the insurer settles the bill directly, policyholders are spared the often tedious and time-consuming reimbursement process.
Top 5 Cashless Health Insurance Policy in India – A Comparative Table
Choosing the right cashless health insurance plan ensures you receive quality medical care without financial stress. Here’s a comparison of the top 5 cashless health insurance plans in India:
| Insurance Provider | Plan Name | Coverage Amount | Premium Range | Waiting Period for Pre-Existing Diseases | Key Benefits | Network Hospitals |
| ICICI Lombard | Health Care Plus | Rs. 1 lakh – Rs. 50 lakh | Starts at ₹15/day | 2 – 4 years | No room rent capping, maternity & newborn cover, critical illness rider, fast claim settlement | 6,700+ |
| Bajaj Allianz | Health Guard Family Cover | Rs. 1.5 lakh – Rs. 1 crore | Varies by age & coverage | 2 – 4 years | Maternity cover, AYUSH treatments, organ donor expenses, worldwide emergency cover | 18400+ |
| Reliance General | Cashless Health Insurance Policy | Rs. 3 lakh – Rs. 1 crore | Affordable rates | 2 – 4 years | Restoration benefit, critical illness cover, maternity coverage, fast claim approval | 10,000+ |
| New India Assurance | Mediclaim Policy | Rs. 1 lakh – Rs. 15 lakh | Budget-friendly | 3 – 4 years | AYUSH treatment coverage, lifelong renewal, health check-up benefits | 20,855+ |
| HDFC Ergo | Cashless Health Insurance Policies | Rs. 3 lakh – Rs. 2 crore | Flexible payment options | 2 – 4 years | 4X coverage, unlimited online doctor consultations, home care treatments, mental health coverage | 16,000+ |
Top 5 Cashless Health Insurance In India
The best comprehensive and efficient insurance plans generally have well-defined networks of selected hospitals that help in easy claim processes. Here are the top cashless health insurance plans in India for hassle-free claims and comprehensive coverage:
1. ICICI Lombard Health Care Plus
An exceptionally reputable general private insurer in India, ICICI Lombard has an extensive chain of hospitals that are renowned for industry-best claims processing filing, healthcare services, and other insurance schemes.
Key Features of ICICI Lombard Health Care Plus
- Network Hospitals: 6700+ network hospitals available for cashless treatment.
- Coverage Amount & Premium Range: Coverage amount starting from Rs. 1 Lakh to Rs. 50 Lakh. Premiums for ICICI cashless plans are nominal.
- Add-On & Riders: Daily hospital cash benefit, critical illness cover, no-claim bonus rider options.
- Claim Settlement Process: Cashless treatment, quick claim approval, fast hospitalisation, and claim reimbursement.
Why Choose ICICI Lombard Health Care Plus? It is perfect for single individuals and families looking for simple and cost-effective cashless comprehensive health insurance. If you need reliable, easy, and quick claims processing without being bound by room rent limitations, this is the plan for you.
2. Bajaj Allianz Health Guard Family Cover
Bajaj Allianz is one of the reliable general insurance providers in India because of its comprehensive policies and rapid claim settlement. It has an entire network of hospitals that have endorsed it, and these hospitals are straightforward to cooperate with. Their Health Guard Family Cover is a cashless health insurance policy specifically tailored for individuals and families. Ensuring that medical services are availed in a cashless and hassle-free manner.
Key Features of Bajaj Allianz Health Guard Family Cover:
- Network Hospitals: 12,200+ network hospitals available in India.
- Coverage Amount & Premium Range: The sum insured ranges from Rs. 1.5 lakhs to Rs. 1 crore.
- Add-Ons & Riders: Daily cash benefit, bariatric surgery cover, AYUSH treatment, and maternity cover.
- Claim Settlement Process: Cashless claims via the Caringly Yours app, effortless pre-authorisation, and 24*7 customer support.
Why Choose Bajaj Allianz Health Guard Family Cover? This plan offers comprehensive coverage, including nationwide emergency protection with no room rent capping. It’s an excellent choice for those seeking maternity benefits, and flexibility in room rent limits.
3. Reliance Health Infinity Insurance
While Reliance Cashless Health Insurance Policy assures speedy claim approvals and covers a wide array of silvers across hospitals, aid, and risk of spending in the course of medical exigencies, Reliance General Insurance is already a household name in the insurance industry of India.
Key Features of Reliance Health Infinity Insurance:
- Network Hospitals: Effortlessly cashless hospitalisation at 10,000+ hospitals.
- Coverage Amount & Premium Range: Starting coverage of 3 lakh with higher limits.
- Add-Ons & Riders: Critical illness cover, Maternity benefits, AYUSH treatment, Cumulative bonus, Restoration benefit.
- Claim Settlement Process: Reliance’s cashless claim settlement is incredibly swift and allows patients to receive treatment without delay. Claims are settled within 4 hours and tracked online via app or website.
Why Choose Reliance Health Infinity Insurance? People aiming for fast approvals and fast claims will appreciate the cashless claim settlement within 4 hours and the claims settlement via the General’s restoration benefits. This policy has it all. It is also ideal for those looking for features at the lowest prices with minimal spending on claim-making medical emergencies.
4. New India Assurance Mediclaim Policy
New India Assurance, one of the biggest public sector general insurance providers in India, sells health insurance plans that are affordable and reliable. Their mediclaim policy offers a cashless health insurance option that guarantees seamless hospitalisation at any listed hospital nationwide. The plan is meant for individual and family health insurance, covers a variety of ailments, has optional super top-ups, and provides lifetime renewals.
New India Assurance Mediclaim Policy Features at a Glance:
- Network Hospitals: 20,855+ network hospitals throughout the country.
- Coverage Amount & Premium Range: The sum insured ranges from Rs. 1 Lakh to Rs. 15 Lakh along with the lifetime renewability option.
- Add-Ons & Riders: Cover for maternity expenses, cataract expenses, consumables, and proportionate no deduction.
- Claim Settlement Process: Instant approvals and dedicated Third Party Administrators (TPAs) for claim settlement.
What Makes This Policy Stand Out? This policy is great for the entire family and older people since it comes with AYUSH treatment coverage and lifelong renewability, which is beneficial for those who want the assurance of government-backed policies. If you desire a reliable and cost-efficient health plan with inclusive hospitalisation features, this is the plan for you.
5. HDFC Ergo Cashless Health Insurance Policy
HDFC Ergo focuses on the Indian private sector by providing comprehensive cashless health insurance services. Because of their extensive network of approximately 16,000 hospitals, they guarantee swift and easy cashless hospitalisation. Their comprehensive and easy claims procedures, along with the availability of 24/7 customer service, make the health insurance plans appealing for both individuals and families.
Key Features of HDFC Ergo:
- Cashless Health Insurance Network Hospitals: 13,000+ cashless hospitals across India.
- Coverage Amount & Premium Range: The sum insured ranges from Rs. 3 lakhs to Rs. 2 crores.
- Add-Ons & Riders: 4X coverage at no extra cost, unlimited doctor consultations, maternity & newborn cover, and second opinion cover.
- Claim Settlement Process: Two claims are settled every minute, with unlimited online consultations and pre-authorisations under 60 minutes.
Why Choose HDFC Ergo Cashless Health Insurance? HDFC ensures the most sought-after relief for hospital claim reimbursement within the shortest period possible. For over eleven years, HDFC has tried and succeeded in providing hassle-free claims, including a pay-and-forget feature with no cap.
How to Choose the Best Cashless Health Insurance Policy?
The ideal plan should offer broad coverage, a hassle-free claim process, and a strong hospital network.
Here’s a quick checklist to consider when selecting the best cashless health insurance plan in India:
- Extensive Network Hospitals: Ensure top hospitals in your area are covered.
- Adequate Sum Insured: Must cover major surgeries and hospitalisation costs.
- Pre and Post-Hospitalisation Coverage: At least 30-60 days before and 60-180 days after hospitalisation.
- High Claim Settlement Ratio: A higher ratio reflects the insurer’s efficiency and trustworthiness, which makes it a key factor when choosing a health insurance plan. So, prefer insurers with a 95% or higher claim approval rate.
- No Room Rent Capping: Opt for policies with no sub-limits or flexible room rent options.
- Daycare Treatment Coverage: Includes chemotherapy, dialysis, cataract surgery, etc.
- Ambulance & ICU Charges Covered: This should fully cover ICU costs with a reasonable ambulance limit.
- Short Waiting Period for Pre-Existing Diseases: Choose policies with the lowest waiting time (1-4 years).
- Restoration Benefit & No-Claim Bonus: Look for plans that restore coverage if exhausted and offer annual NCB.
How to Avoid Rejections on Cashless Claims?
To ensure a hassle-free, cashless claim process, follow these steps:
- Notify the Insurer Promptly: Inform your insurer at least 48-72 hours before planned treatments or within 24 hours for emergencies.
- Verify Coverage: Confirm that your treatment is covered and not excluded due to waiting periods or policy limitations.
- Provide Accurate Documentation: Ensure all required documents, including policy details, ID proof, and medical records, are correctly submitted.
- Use TPA Support: Seek assistance from the hospital’s Third-Party Administrator (TPA) desk for smooth claim processing.
- Complete Pre-Authorisation: Obtain insurer approval before treatment to avoid last-minute denials.
- Track Your Coverage Limit: Claims exceeding your insured sum may be declined; consider a top-up plan if needed.
- Disclose Medical History: Avoid claim denials by fully disclosing pre-existing conditions when purchasing the policy.
IRDAI’s “Cashless Everywhere” Initiative: A Game-Changer for Policyholders
The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has introduced the “Cashless Everywhere” initiative, which aims to expand cashless health insurance beyond network hospitals. Under this guideline, policyholders can avail of cashless treatment at any hospital, even if it is not part of their insurer’s pre-approved network.
How “Cashless Everywhere” Benefits Policyholders:
- Wider Access to Hospitals: No need to limit treatment choices to network hospitals; patients can seek care anywhere.
- Hassle-Free Claims: Eliminates the need for out-of-pocket payments and later reimbursement claims.
- Quick Approvals: Insurers must approve cashless claims promptly, ensuring smooth treatment.
- Standardised Rates: Insurers will work with hospitals to define fair treatment costs, preventing inflated medical bills.
This initiative significantly enhances policyholder convenience, making cashless health insurance more flexible and accessible than ever before. It ensures that financial support is available regardless of hospital preference, making health coverage more reliable and stress-free.
Onsurity’s Cashless Group Health Insurance
Onsurity offers comprehensive and affordable group health insurance plans tailored for businesses of all sizes. Onsurity’s Group Health Insurance (GHI) provides medical coverage for employees and their families, ensuring financial security during medical emergencies.
Here are some features that set Onsurity’s Group Health Insurance apart from others:
- Flexible Subscription Plans: No annual lump sums. Businesses pay monthly for better cash flow.
- Family Coverage: Includes employees, spouses, children, and in some cases, parents.
- Cashless Treatment: No out-of-pocket expenses at a vast network of hospitals across India.
- Pre & Post-Hospitalisation Benefits: Covers doctor consultations, diagnostic tests, and follow-up care.
- Daycare & OPD Coverage: Includes treatments like dialysis, chemotherapy, and cataract surgery.
- Maternity & Newborn Benefits: Covers childbirth, prenatal, and postnatal expenses. Newborns are covered for 90 days.
- Mental Health Coverage: In-patient care for psychiatric disorders included.
- AYUSH Treatments Covered: Alternative medicine options like Ayurveda, Yoga, and Homeopathy.
Conclusion
Cashless health insurance provides a means of effortless medical care without dealing with the hassle that comes with hospitalisation. Picking a policy that covers wide healthcare facilities, amazing benefits, and fast claim settlement with the ever-changing healthcare cost is vital.
Research thoroughly and choose a policy that influences your healthcare requirements. Onsurity provides affordable, adaptable, and all-inclusive health insurance policies for businesses and new companies that cover employees and their family members.
So why wait? Request a demo to explore Onsurity’s hassle-free health plans and give your team the protection they deserve today!
