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How to Port Health Insurance Policy & Transfer Online to Digit?

Health insurance portability was introduced by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) in 2011. This feature ensures that consumers can transfer the credit gained for pre-existing conditions and waiting periods to a new policy, offering flexibility and preventing the loss of valuable coverage.

The portability of health insurance has seen growing adoption in India, reflecting the increasing awareness and demand for consumer rights. As of 2023, reports suggest that nearly 4-5% of health insurance policyholders in India have utilized the portability option, a figure that is expected to rise as more people become aware of this feature. 

Let us understand how to port health insurance policy in India and what the advantages and disadvantages are.

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What is the Health Insurance Portability?

A health insurance portability is nothing but the process through which you can transfer your current health insurance policy to another insurance provider of your choice, just like you can switch from one telecommunication service provider to another!

However, don’t think of this as a mere insurer shift. What’s special about health insurance portability is that you not only transfer to a better plan, but your waiting periods and no claim bonus too are transferred, so you don’t need to start your waiting periods right from the start or lose out on your cumulative bonus so far!

Common Reasons for Porting Health Insurance Policy

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) allows policyholders to port their health insurance policies for several reasons. The common reasons for portability include:

  • Better Coverage or Benefits - You might want to port health insurance if you're looking for better coverage options, higher sum insured limits, or additional benefits that your current insurer doesn’t offer.
  • Improved Premium Rates and Sum Insured - If you find a plan with similar or enhanced coverage at a more competitive price, you might consider porting your health insurance policy to reduce your premium costs.
  • Service Quality - If you’re dissatisfied with the customer service or claim settlement process of your current insurer, you might transfer your health insurance policy to a provider with better service standards.
  • Network Hospitals - The availability of a more extensive network of hospitals or preferred hospitals for cashless treatment can be a reason for health insurance portability.
  • Policy Cancellation - If an insurer decides to cancel or not renew a policy, policyholders have the option to port their coverage to another insurer.
  • Better Terms for Pre-existing Conditions - Some insurers may offer better terms and conditions related to pre-existing diseases or specific ailments compared to the current insurer. This can be a reason for the portability of health insurance. 
  • Changes in Insurer’s Offerings - If an insurer significantly changes its product offerings or withdraws certain policies, policyholders may transfer medical insurance to a new insurer that provides the desired coverage.

What's Great About a Health Insurance by Digit?

  • Simple Online Processes - From buying a health insurance policy to making claims, it is paperless, easy, quick, and hassle-free! No hard copies, even for claims! 

  • No Age-Based or Zone-Based Co-Payment - Our health insurance comes with no age-based or zone-based copayment. This means that during health insurance claims, you need not pay anything from your pocket.
  • No Room Rent Restriction - We understand that everyone has different preferences. That’s why we have no room rent restrictions. Choose any hospital room you prefer.
  • SI Wallet Benefit - If you exhaust your Sum Insured in health insurance during the policy period, we refill it for you.
  • Get Treated at Any Hospital - Choose from our network hospitals in India for a cashless treatment or opt for a reimbursement.
  • Wellness Benefits - Get exclusive wellness benefits in your health insurance on the Digit App in collaboration with top-rated health and wellness partners.

How Do You Port the Health Insurance Policy to Digit?

  • Step 1: Provide your name and mobile number above.
  • Step 2: You’ll hear from one of our health experts within 48 hours, who’ll guide you on the documents you need to send our way.
  • Step 3: Once you share the documents, leave the rest to us!😊

List of Documents Required for Porting a Health Insurance Policy

  • Your current health insurance policy schedule from your current health insurance provider that you want to port from.
  • Your identity proof 
  • Rest of the details, such as your medical details and claim history will be taken from you over call.

When Should You Port Your Health Insurance Policy?

When You’re Not Happy With Your Current Health Insurance Provider

Perhaps you’re not too happy with the way your current health insurance is going. It could be because of its service, a bad experience, the annual premium price, or just the fact that the plan is not well suited for you and your healthcare needs.

In this case, when it’s time for renewal (ideally, at least 45 days before your current health insurance policy’s expiry date), you can evaluate your options and port your health insurance policy to a plan and insurer that seems better fit for you and your expectations. 

When There are Better Plans Out There!

You could be in a situation where your current health insurance provider is great but still doesn’t provide you with the valuable benefits you need for you and your family.

For example: Perhaps you’re looking for an AYUSH benefit for your parents or a maternity cover for yourself, but your current health insurance doesn’t cover the same just the way you’d like.

In this case, evaluate the kind of benefits you’re looking for from at least three insurers and then port your health insurance policy to a provider you trust.

Just make sure you start this process more than 45 days before your current policy’s expiry date so your portability procedure is completed well in time.

When You Want to Shift to a Digital-Friendly Health Insurance

If you’ve had a health insurance policy for a long time now, maybe the chances are that your current health insurance provider isn’t digital-friendly or contactless and still has long, cumbersome processes that seem to take too much of your time.

In this case, port your health insurance to a digital health insurance option so you don’t have to face the same problems again.

Things You Can Port in Your Health Insurance Policy

Below are the things you can typically port while switching to a new health insurance provider:

  • All current insured members
  • Current sum insured
  • Your accumulated cumulative bonus
  • Your pre-existing disease waiting period
  • Your specific disease waiting period

Can I Port from Group Health Insurance to Individual Coverage with Digit?

Absolutely! 

At Digit Insurance, you can effortlessly transition your current group health insurance from another provider to an individual policy with us. 

We understand how important it is to find a health insurance plan that truly meets your needs. So, we provide the flexibility that ensures that if you're seeking a more tailored and comprehensive health insurance experience, you're in the right place.

3 Things to Know Before You Port Your Health Insurance

  • Be Wary About Your Current Policy’s Expiry Date!

Timing is key for everything, but this is especially true when it comes to health insurance porting. One of the most important things to remember is that you can only port your health insurance policy at the time of your health insurance renewal.

More importantly, you need to let your current insurer know at least 45 days in advance if you want the process to be completed in time. Once your policy expires, you cannot port to another provider.

  • Be Honest With Your New Health Insurance Provider to Avoid Rejections

Being transparent is vital in any relationship. Likewise, in starting your relationship with your new health insurance provider, ensure you are honest with them about your claim history and medical history to avoid any rejections or problems in the future.

  • Remember Even Similar Plans Can Come With Varying Benefits

Although chances are that you will be porting to a similar health insurance plan, remember that even with similar plans - every insurer still comes with varying benefits.

For example, different insurers will have different room rent capping limits (or no room rent capping at all!). So ensure you read about each of the benefits carefully instead of assuming everything will remain the same!

Advantages of Porting Your Health Insurance with Digit

  • Enjoy Continuity of Benefits - One of the greatest benefits of porting your health insurance plan is that you don’t need to give up on any benefits. For example: If your new health insurer has a waiting period of 3-years for specific diseases and you already had your previous plan for 2 years – you will only need to wait one more year to claim for those specific diseases, unlike when you buy a new plan wherein you would have to start waiting periods all over again!
  • Keep Your No-Claim Bonus - Nobody wants to let go of their no claim bonus and I guess insurance providers get that! That’s why, one of the benefits of porting your health insurance is that you don’t need to let go of your no claim bonus, it will be added to your new health insurance policy, just as it is.
  • Waiting Period Remains the Same - As mentioned above, since you enjoy continuous benefits whilst porting, your health insurance waiting periods are not affected when you port your health insurance. They’re added based on how much time you’ve completed with your previous health insurance provider.

Disadvantages of Porting Your Health Insurance with Digit

  • You Can Only Port During Renewal - So, while porting is great and all – one of the downfalls is that you can only port your health insurance when it’s time to renew your health insurance policy. However, here’s a tip to share – if you’d like to port your health insurance, start researching and evaluating your options 2-months before your renewal so you have enough time on your hands to make a decision and then apply to port your health insurance policy.
  • Limited Changes in Your Plan - While you can port your health insurance plan to a better health insurer and plan, you cannot make too many changes and will have to go for a similar plan. For more changes or customizations in plan and coverage, your health insurance premium and the terms and conditions attached to it will be changed accordingly.
  • Higher Premium for More Extensive Coverage Compared to Your Previous Plan - In case you’ve decided you want to go for a very different plan and higher coverage than the one with your previous insurer, your premium too may differ accordingly.

Things to Consider Before Porting a Health Insurance Policy

  • Compare Coverage and Premiums - Carefully analyze the coverage offered by the new insurer and compare it to your existing policy, considering factors like sum insured, waiting periods, exclusions, and network hospitals.
  • Check for Claim Settlement Ratio - Research the new insurer’s claim settlement ratio to assess its claim handling efficiency.
  • Understand Waiting Periods - Be aware of the waiting periods for pre-existing diseases and other conditions in both your current and potential policy.
  • Consider Portability Charges - Some insurers may charge fees for porting, so inquire about any potential costs.
  • Policy Terms - Ensure the new policy’s terms and conditions are comparable to your current one, as different insurers might have different coverage and benefits.
  • Documentation - Provide all necessary documents and information about your existing policy to the new insurer to facilitate a smooth transition.
  • Porting Timeline - Start the porting process well in advance of your current policy’s renewal date to avoid any coverage gaps.

Can My Request for Health Insurance Portability be Denied?

Yes, your request for health insurance portability can be denied if you do not comply with the necessary formalities and don’t meet the risk and coverage norms of the insurer for the chosen plan.

Top Reasons for Rejection of Health Insurance Portability Requests

 IRDAI regulations outline specific reasons for rejection, such as:

  • Non-Payment of Premiums - Outstanding premiums can lead to rejection. 
  • Misrepresentation or Concealment of Facts - Providing incorrect or incomplete information during the portability process can result in denial.
  • Pending Claims or Investigations - Unresolved claims or investigations might hinder portability.
  • Breach of Policy Terms - Violations of policy terms could affect your eligibility for portability.
  • Poor Claim History - Insurers may view a history of frequent or high-value claims as indicative of a higher risk, making them hesitant to accept the policy transfer.

Note: This information is based on general knowledge and IRDAI guidelines. Specific reasons for rejection can vary depending on the insurer's policies.

Rights of a policyholder (a.k.a YOU!) for Porting a Health Insurance Policy

  • According to the IRDAI, every policyholder has the right to port their policy (applicable to both individual and family health insurance policies) from one general or specialized health insurance provider to another. 
  • As per the IRDAI guidelines, the new health insurance provider is liable to at least provide for the same sum insured to the policyholder. 
  • Most importantly, the new health insurance provider is liable to provide their policyholder benefits for which the waiting period has already passed, i.e. in a health insurance portability- one also gets to transfer their accumulated no claim bonus and waiting periods.

  • It is the responsibility of the new and old insurer to ensure the respective health insurance policy has been transferred successfully, as per the IRDAI guidelines.

Health Insurance Portability Rules as Set by the IRDAI - Simplified for You

Aspect Details
Type of Policy You can only port your insurance policy to a similar type of policy. This means you cannot completely change the coverage, plan or type of policy while making the switch.
On the Insurance Company Insurance companies are usually classified as either life insurance companies or general insurance companies. When you port, you need to make sure you port to a similar type of company. By the way, Digit is a general insurance company.
On Gaps If you are looking to port your health insurance, you have to port during renewal, and you cannot have lapsed policy periods in between as this may lead your proposal to port to be rejected.
Informing Your Insurance Company Goodbyes are important. That’s why, it’s important for you to notify your current insurance company that you plan on porting your policy. The same must be done in writing, and at least 45 days before your policy is supposed to renew.
Response from Your Current Insurance Company Once you have done your job and informed your current insurance company, they have three days to acknowledge your request on porting your health insurance.
Charging Porting Fees As per the IRDAI regulations, no insurance company (neither your current one nor the new one you wish to port to) can charge any fee for the process of porting your health insurance policy.
Changes in Premium The premium for any health insurance is decided by an insurance company based on different factors since every insurer comes with its own service benefits. So, it may happen that there is a change in premium from your current insurer to your next – even though it is for a similar policy.
Grace Periods You are allowed to get an additional grace period once your health insurance portability is still under process, i.e., your health insurance premium will be charged basis of the number of days your old policy was active.
Sum Insured and Extent of Coverage You can opt to increase your sum insured coverage while porting your policy. However, it would have to be approved by your new health insurance provider.
On Waiting Periods Usually, waiting periods are not affected while porting your policy unless you have opted for a new coverage that comes with a different waiting period than your earlier insurer. For example - your waiting period for specific illnesses or pre-existing diseases may not be affected since that is part of most health insurance plans.
However, if you have only now opted for a maternity cover during porting then you will have to complete the waiting period for the same with your new insurer.

FAQs about Health Insurance Portability