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Health Insurance Portability
9000+
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3.8 Crore+
Lives Insured
8 Lacs+
Claims Settled
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Port Existing Policy
9000+
Cashless Hospitals
3.8 Crore+
Lives Insured
8 Lacs+
Claims Settled
What is Health Insurance Portability?
Health insurance portability is a process through which you can transfer your current health insurance plan to another insurance provider of your choice, without losing any existing benefits, such as waiting period, cumulative bonus, etc.
In simple words, if you are not happy with your current policy, you don’t have to start from zero again. You can move to a new insurance company, keep your waiting period benefits and continue your coverage without a break.
When Should You Port Health Insurance Policy?
You should port your health insurance policy at the time of renewal if your current plan is no longer meeting your needs. Instead of continuing with a policy that’s causing issues, porting allows you to switch insurers without losing waiting period & cumulative bonus benefits.
Here are the most common situations when you should consider porting your health policy:
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.
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.
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.
The availability of a more extensive network of hospitals or preferred hospitals for cashless treatment can be a reason for health insurance portability.
If an insurer decides to cancel or not renew a policy, policyholders have the option to port their coverage to another insurer.
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 Can You Carry Forward When You Port Your Health Insurance?
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
Is Porting Health Insurance the Right Choice for You?
Yes, porting your health insurance can be the right choice for you if your current plan is not meeting your needs or feels too expensive. If your plan is working well and you are satisfied, you may not need to switch.
Here’s a simple way to decide:
Disclaimer: This table is for informational purposes only. Porting decisions depend on policy terms, medical history, insurer underwriting, and IRDAI rules. Please review policy documents or seek expert advice before switching insurers.
Should You Port or Buy a New Health Insurance Policy?
You should port your existing health insurance policy if you want to retain waiting‑period benefits and cumulative bonus, while buying a new policy may be suitable if you are entering health insurance for the first time or do not need past benefits to continue.
However, here’s a simple comparison to help you decide:
A simple way to decide between buying vs porting health insurance is, if your current plan is not working for you, porting can be a smart move and if you want a completely new start, buying a new policy may suit you better.
Why Choose Digit When Porting Your Health Insurance?
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.
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.
What are the Documents Required for Porting a Health Insurance Policy?
To port your health insurance policy, you’ll need to keep a few documents handy. This helps make the process quicker and smoother for you. Here’s what you may need:
How Long Does It Take to Port Health Insurance Policy?
Porting a health insurance policy usually takes around 7 to 15 days. The timeline depends on how quickly your policy details, claim history, and medical information are verified.
Here’s what affects the timeline of porting health insurance:
- Document submission: If you share all required documents on time, the process moves faster
- Verification with your current insurer: Your new insurer checks your details and claim history
- Medical checks (if needed): In some cases, you may be asked for a medical test, which can add a few days
What Should You Check Before Porting Your Health Insurance?
Before you port health insurance, you should make sure the new plan is actually better for you and fits your needs. Here are a few things you must check before poring your health insurance:
Check if the sum insured is enough for today’s medical costs. If your current cover feels low, choose a higher one while porting. However, there will be a new waiting period on your increased sum insured amount.
Find out how much waiting period you’ve already completed and how much will carry forward. This is important, especially for pre-existing diseases or any specific illness.
Look closely at what the new plan offers, like no room rent limit, OPD cover, free health check-ups, or add-on covers in health insurance. Make sure these features are useful for you.
Check if hospitals near your home or preferred ones are part of the new insurer’s network. This helps you get cashless treatment easily.
Don’t choose a plan just because it is cheaper. Compare what you are getting in return, such as coverage, benefits, and service.
Go for an insurer that is known for smooth and quick claim settlement. A good claim experience matters the most during emergencies.
Apply at least 45–60 days before renewal if you plan to port health insurance smoothly without rejection.
What are the Advantages of Porting Your Health Insurance to 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 spent with your previous health insurance provider.
What are the Disadvantages of Porting Your Health Insurance to 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 customisations 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.
What are Health Insurance Portability Rules by IRDAI?
The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) have set certain rules to protect policyholders from restarting waiting periods or losing earned benefits when changing insurers. It includes:
Can Health Insurance Porting Be Rejected?
Yes, your request for health insurance portability can be rejected 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.
What are the Reasons for Rejection of Health Insurance Portability Requests?
IRDAI regulations outline specific reasons for rejection of porting of your health insurance policy, 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.
What are the Important Things to Keep in Mind Before Porting?
Before porting your health insurance policy, it's important to evaluate your coverage, sum insured, waiting periods, exclusions, network hospitals, claim settlement experience, and any additional benefits offered by the new insurer.
Here are the important things to keep in mind before porting your health insurance policy:
Carefully analyse 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.
Research the new insurer’s claim settlement ratio to assess its claim handling efficiency.
Be aware of the waiting periods for pre-existing disease in health insurance and other conditions in both your current and potential policy.
Ensure the new policy’s terms and conditions are comparable to your current one, as different insurers might have different coverage and benefits.
Provide all necessary documents and information about your existing policy to the new insurer to facilitate a smooth transition.
Start the porting process well in advance of your current policy’s renewal date to avoid any coverage gaps.
Health needs, family size, and financial priorities can change over time. If your current health insurance policy no longer meets your expectations, portability gives you an opportunity to move to a more suitable plan while retaining important continuity benefits.
By carefully comparing policies and understanding the portability process, you can make an informed decision that helps you stay protected without compromising on the benefits you have already earned.
FAQs about Health Insurance Portability
When can a policyholder apply for portability?
You can apply for portability 45 - 60 days before the renewal date of your health insurance.
Can I port health insurance anytime?
No, you can only port your health insurance before your current policy is up for renewal. The recommended time to do so is at least 45 days to 60 days before your current health policy expires.
Is it possible to port health insurance online?
Yes, it is possible to port health insurance online.
Can I port my health insurance policy to a new provider if I have a pre-existing condition?
Yes, you can port your policy even if you have pre-existing conditions. The waiting period for these conditions will be carried forward to the new policy. However, you must check with your new insurer for coverage before porting.
What Cannot Be Carried Forward When You Port Your Health Insurance?
When you port your health insurance, insurer‑specific discounts, unique add‑ons, special policy benefits, and your existing premium amount cannot be carried forward. The new insurer decides premium, add‑ons, and policy features based on its own terms and underwriting rules.
What are some of the problems faced while porting a health insurance policy?
One of the most common problems faced by people while porting their health insurance policy is the likelihood of rejection due to claim history, medical details or age. This is because every health insurance provider has the right to either reject or accept a portability request.
What happens if my existing health insurance policy lapses before the portability process is complete?
If your existing policy lapses before the porting process is complete, you might lose your accumulated benefits.
Does the age of the policyholder matter while porting a health insurance policy?
Yes, like any other health insurance policy, your age does matter. The older you are, the higher your health insurance premium may be.
After how long does the porting process get completed?
The porting process typically takes around 7 to 15 days to complete. However, it can vary depending on the insurance companies involved.
How do I port health insurance from one company to another?
Here’s how you can port your health insurance from one insurer to another:
- Choose a new insurer: Research and select a new insurance company that offers a suitable plan.
- Initiate the process: Inform your existing insurer about your decision to port at least 45 - 60 days before renewal.
- New insurer application: Fill out the necessary forms and submit them to the new insurer.
- Documentation: Provide required documents like medical history, claim details, etc.
- Policy issuance: Once approved, the new insurer will issue a policy.
Please note that the process might differ from company to company.
When should you consider porting your health insurance policy?
If you think there’s a better health insurance policy with better benefits available, then you should consider porting your health insurance policy during your next renewal period.
Which is better? Porting an existing plan or buying health insurance from two different health insurance providers?
Porting an existing insurance plan is generally preferred as it preserves your continuity benefits. Buying two separate policies from two different health insurance providers might lead to gaps in coverage and might not be cost-effective.
Can I switch from a group health insurance policy to an individual policy with another insurer?
Yes. As per IRDAI guidelines, if you are covered under a group health insurance policy (such as an employer‑provided plan), you can move to an individual or family floater health insurance policy, even with a different insurer. This is done through migration at the time of exit from the group policy, after which portability rules apply. The process is subject to underwriting and regulatory conditions.
What is the ideal time to opt for porting a health insurance policy?
The ideal time to opt for porting is at the time of your policy renewal. You can initiate the process at least 45 days to 60 days before the renewal date of your existing policy.
Is an extra premium required to port my health insurance policy?
Yes, some insurance companies can charge an extra premium for some extra coverage in their policy. However, this can differ from policy to policy.
Is it possible to port an existing group health insurance policy to an individual policy offered by another insurance company?
No, you cannot change the type of policy while porting. If you have an individual health policy, you can only port to an individual health insurance policy offered by another company. However, you can first migrate your policy from group health to individual health in the same insurance company and then apply for porting.
Is there any impact on the policyholder’s age while porting a health insurance policy?
No, there is no impact on the policyholder's age during the portability of health insurance policy.
Instead of porting, is it possible to change to another plan offered by my current health insurance provider?
Yes, you can switch to a different plan within the same insurance company. This process might be simpler than porting.
What is the impact on the cumulative bonus and the waiting period when I choose health insurance portability?
The cumulative bonus (No Claim Bonus) and waiting period are carried forward to the new policy.
Would there be any additional portability charges?
No, there are no additional charges for porting a health insurance policy.