What is cashless everywhere facility in health insurance?

The General Insurance Council (GIC) introduced the ‘Cashless Everywhere’ facility in January 2024. It lets policyholders use cashless treatment even in hospitals that don’t have tie-ups with their insurance company, removing one of the biggest pain points in health claims.

Earlier, only network hospitals could offer cashless admission, forcing patients at non-network hospitals to pay first and claim reimbursement later. This often led to delays and financial stress during medical emergencies.

With 'Cashless Everywhere', you can avail of cashless hospitalisation anywhere in India — network or not. Your insurer will directly settle bills with the hospital, as long as your policy terms and claim eligibility are met.

For planned procedures, you must inform your insurer 48 hours before admission. In emergencies, intimation can be done within 48 hours after admission, ensuring quick coordination and hassle-free discharge.

IRDAI has not made this facility mandatory yet, so adoption is voluntary for hospitals. Many still hesitate to participate, slowing down real-world implementation despite its huge promise for policyholders.