What is Health Insurance Portability?
Health insurance portability is a consumer protection regulation mandated by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI). It empowers policyholders to migrate their existing retail health insurance or corporate group cover to a new insurance company if they are dissatisfied with poor claim service, restrictive room rent sub-limits, or steep premium hikes.
The biggest advantage: All the years you have already spent completing 2-year or 3-year waiting periods for pre-existing conditions (diabetes, hypertension, thyroid, joint replacements) are fully transferred to the new policy.
The Critical 45-Day Portability Window
Timing is the most important legal requirement in the portability process:
• You MUST submit your portability application to the new insurer between 45 days and 60 days before your current policy's expiry date.
• If you apply less than 45 days before renewal, the receiving insurer has the legal right to decline the portability request.
• Never let your existing policy lapse until the new insurer formally approves and issues the ported policy document.
How 'Cashless Everywhere' Works in Practice
Historically, policyholders were forced to pay out of pocket and file tedious reimbursement claims if admitted to a non-network hospital.
Under the 'Cashless Everywhere' system, policyholders can avail cashless hospitalization at ANY hospital across India that has at least 15 operational beds and meets state healthcare registration criteria, provided the insurer is notified at least 48 hours before planned admission or within 24 hours of emergency admission.