What is Cashless Treatment?
Cashless treatment is a facility provided by health insurance companies where you can get hospitalized without paying cash upfront. The insurance company settles the bill directly with the hospital.
✅ Key Advantage:
No need to arrange funds during medical emergency. Focus on treatment, not payments.
How Cashless Treatment Works
Step 1: Hospitalization Required
You or your family member needs hospitalization. Go to any network hospital of your insurer.
Check if hospital is in your insurer's networkStep 2: Inform TPA/Insurer
Show your health insurance card at hospital. Hospital will contact TPA (Third Party Administrator) or insurer.
Keep insurer's emergency number handyStep 3: Pre-authorization
Hospital submits pre-authorization form. Insurer approves cashless treatment up to estimated amount.
Approval usually within 2-6 hoursStep 4: Treatment & Discharge
Receive treatment. At discharge, hospital sends final bill to insurer for settlement.
You pay only non-medical expensesDocuments Required for Cashless Claim
📋 Must Have Documents:
- Health Insurance ID Card
- Photo ID Proof (Aadhaar/PAN)
- Doctor's admission advice
- Previous policy details (if ported)
📄 Hospital Will Provide:
- Pre-authorization form
- Estimated cost breakdown
- Medical records summary
- Discharge summary
Network Hospitals vs Non-Network
| Aspect | Network Hospital | Non-Network Hospital |
|---|---|---|
| Payment Method | Cashless Treatment | Reimbursement |
| Payment Timing | Insurer pays hospital directly | You pay first, then claim |
| Documentation | Simpler process | More documents required |
| Claim Time | Faster settlement | Longer processing time |
| Stress Level | Low (no payment worry) | High (arrange funds first) |
Emergency Cashless Process
🚨 For Emergency Hospitalization:
- Get admitted to nearest hospital (any hospital in emergency)
- Inform insurer within 24 hours of admission
- Submit emergency cashless request
- If approved, continue treatment; if not, pay and claim later