What are Cashless Cards in Health Insurance?

What is a Cashless Health Insurance Card & How Does it Work?

Cashless cards, as the name suggests, are a convenient way to receive healthcare without bearing any out-of-pocket expenses. Your health insurer issues this card that allows you to avail of cashless treatment at network hospitals. This card usually includes the insured's personal details, the policy number, the insurance company's contact information, etc.

Policyholders with a health card can avail of cashless treatment without making any upfront payment to the hospital. Besides, the hospital sends the medical bill to the insurer rather than the patient to obtain the full settlement from the insurance company.

What Are the Benefits of Cashless Health Cards?

Here are some of the notable benefits of a cashless card in health insurance:

1. No Upfront Expenses

Whether you opt for a planned hospitalisation or emergency medical needs, every treatment at a network hospital will be cashless. You don’t need to pay any out-of-pocket expenses as the bill will be settled by your insurance provider.

2. Easy Hospitalisation Procedure

A cashless card helps avoid the complex paperwork and the long hours spent at the counter settling your bills. All you need to do is get the admission, avail your treatment, and get discharged, leaving the expenses to your insurer.

3. Quick Claim Settlement

With cashless cards, you receive the insurance claims faster. You need a pre-authorisation from the hospital and approval from the insurer to begin your treatment. Once these formalities are completed, you can receive treatment without delay.

4. Peace of Mind

Families can feel more emotionally stable with a cashless health card. Family members can focus on your treatment during an emergency instead of rushing to collect loans or payments.

How Can You Get a Cashless Health Card?

Here are some of the simple steps to receive your cashless health card:

Step 1: Select a Health Insurance Plan

First, you need to search for a health insurance policy that provides a cashless card to the insured. Several providers offer cashless health insurance plans. Conduct thorough research and select a suitable insurance provider.

Step 2: Provide Your Documents

After selecting the right plan, you need to submit the required documents, such as age proof, identity proof, address proof, medical history, etc., to the insurer. You need to complete the cashless card application form and provide the policy details.

Step 3: Pay the Premium Amount

Next, you need to pay the premium of your selected health insurance plan using your preferred payment method.

Step 4: Get Your Cashless Health Card

You will receive the cashless health card and policy documents from the insurance company after the payment is made.

Step 5: Activate Your Cashless Health Card

Before using the health card, you need to activate it. For that, you can follow the activation procedure provided on the card or contact the insurance provider.

Step 6: Use Your Cashless Health Card

After the card is activated, you can use it at a network hospital to receive cashless treatment.

What Are the Eligibility Criteria to Get a Cashless Health Card?

Here are some of the criteria that you need to fulfil to avail a cashless health card:

1. Active Health Insurance Plan

You will be automatically qualified to receive a cashless health card if you have an active health insurance policy from a recognised insurance provider.

2. Family Floater Plan Including Dependent Family Members

If you have a family floater health insurance plan that covers all family members, including the spouse, children, and parents, every insured member can use the cashless card for treatment at network hospitals.