Policy shift: Health cover rates vary across states
MUMBAI: With healthcare costs varying widely across Indian states, insurers are shifting away from uniform pricing toward region-specific health policies.
Bajaj Allianz General Insurance has launched customised state-wise health insurance plans, adjusting premiums and benefits to reflect local medical costs, infrastructure, and regulations.
Bajaj Allianz General Insurance's initiative is designed to address inefficiencies in traditional one-size-fits-all pricing. "The idea behind this cover is to increase coverage of the missing-middle by making health insurance more affordable for them," said Bhaskar Nerurkar, head of health administration at Bajaj Allianz General Insurance. "At present, there is an element of cross-subsidy where people in areas with low-cost healthcare end up subsidising for those with higher costs.
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Narayana Health was among the first to offer region-specific policies linked to its hospitals. Bajaj Allianz General Insurance takes this further by refining prices at the state level. While policies are sold based on current residence, policyholders can still receive treatment anywhere in the country.
"Regional variations in healthcare claims frequency and severity across India are significantly influenced by diverse factors, including the specific causes for hospitalization," said Satish Gidugu, CEO of Medi Assist, the largest third-party administrator.
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"The heightened concentration of tertiary and quaternary care facilities and the greater incidence of claims within Tier-1 cities further accentuate these regional disparities." He added that insurers can now leverage improved data accessibility to more precisely customize their offerings. BAGIC's plans cover all states and UTs, factoring in local disease patterns, hospital charges, and govt scheme implementation.
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