The cashless hospitalization facility for getting health insurance claim without giving to pay cash for initial medical services seemed to click with customers. And it gained popularity around the nation. The facility can be of great help during emergencies. In fact, it is a vital feature of any mediclaim policy offered in India. Sudden or even planned hospitalization of a loved one can be really disturbing. The rising costs of health treatment have made it really tough for people to pay for an unplanned treatment. Under such situations, cashless hospitalization can come handy.

The cashless facility is usually offered by a health insurance provider or their third party administrators. This facilitates you to receive medical treatment in a hospital without paying cash. The facility can prove to be a life saver especially in case of an emergency. This is the time when you don't carry adequate cash for the prescribed treatment.

To be more precise cashless hospitalization is a facility offered by a health insurance company that facilitates the insured to get required medical treatment sans paying cash.

So is it possible to get treatment at a hospital of your choice?

This is something most people wish to know when buying a health insurance especially if they have the cashless facility in mind. Well, you may get treatment from your preferred hospital provided it is listed with the network of your health insurance company.

How cashless hospitalization works?

Under the cashless facility, the hospital coordinates directly with the health insurance company. In some cases, the hospital connects with the third party administrators to settle bills.

Hospitalization - Planned and Unplanned

The cashless facility can be availed under two conditions; planned and unplanned hospitalization.

Planned Hospitalization

Here, you require informing the health insurance company or its third party administrators beforehand about the cause for the hospitalization.

Unplanned Hospitalization

In case, of an unplanned health emergency, you may inform the health insurance company or its third party administrators within 24 hours of hospitalization.

Cashless facility can be availed only at hospitals and medical centers that are listed under an insurance company's list of network. Hence, you need to make sure that your health insurance policy covers hospitals near your locality. This really helps in case, of emergency when you have to rush the patient to the nearest hospital. It is crucial to know about the health conditions that are exempt from cashless hospitalization facility. You should learn about these exclusions prior to buying a health insurance plan.