Latest news with #GlobalMedicalTrendRatesReport
Hans India
11-07-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Big move to check inflated hospital bills due to insurers: Report
New Delhi: The Union government plans to bring the existing health insurance claims portal under the Finance ministry and insurance regulator to curb overcharging by healthcare providers, source said. The move follows detailed data analysis and inspections that revealed hospitals — rather than insurers — are inflating treatment costs to match policy coverage limits. The Finance Ministry believes that placing the National Health Exchange (NHE) under IRDAI's supervision will help improve oversight, ensure cohesive policymaking, and curb persistent inefficiencies in the health insurance sector. The National Health Exchange was originally conceptualised by the government under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), overseen by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. It is envisioned as a digital transaction layer that facilitates seamless claim settlement, data exchange, and service verification between insurers, TPAs (Third Party Administrators), and hospitals — similar to how stock exchanges enable standardised and transparent trading. Healthcare costs in India are projected to rise by 13 percent in 2025, exceeding the global average of 10 percent, and up from 12 percent recorded a year earlier, according to professional services firm Aon's Global Medical Trend Rates Report. An analysis by the government and the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) found that hospitals are inflating treatment costs for patients and overcharging those with higher covers, the sources said earlier this week. This has driven insurers to charge higher health premiums, making coverage less affordable for some, the sources said, requesting anonymity as they are not authorised to speak to the media. "Strict supervision" of the National Health Claims Exchange - the platform that acts as a gateway between insurers, healthcare providers and patients - will improve the "collective bargaining power" of insurance companies to set treatment rates, the sources the exchange is overseen by the health ministry's National Health Authority and was developed in "consultation" with the insurance regulator, according to the authority's website. IRDAI does not regulate the health exchange but regulates insurers on the platform. Annual growth in health insurance premium income has slowed to 9% in 2024-25 from over 20% a year ago, according to industry data, as premiums become unaffordable for many, leading to fewer policy renewals.
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
India plans to tighten oversight of claims portal to curb rising healthcare costs, source says
New Delhi: India plans to bring an existing health insurance claims portal under the finance ministry and insurance regulator to curb overcharging by healthcare providers, a government source told Reuters. Healthcare costs in India are projected to rise by 13% in 2025, exceeding the global average of 10%, and up from 12% recorded a year earlier, according to professional services firm Aon's Global Medical Trend Rates Report. An analysis by the government and the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) found that hospitals are inflating treatment costs for patients and overcharging those with higher covers, the source said earlier this week. This has driven insurers to charge higher health premiums, making coverage less affordable for some, the source said, requesting anonymity as they are not authorised to speak to the media. India's finance and health ministries did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment. "Strict supervision" of the National Health Claims Exchange - the platform that acts as a gateway between insurers, healthcare providers and patients - will improve the "collective bargaining power" of insurance companies to set treatment rates, the source said. Currently, the exchange is overseen by the health ministry's National Health Authority and was developed in "consultation" with the insurance regulator, according to the authority's website. IRDAI does not regulate the health exchange but regulates insurers on the platform. Annual growth in health insurance premium income has slowed to 9% in 2024-25 from over 20% a year ago, according to industry data, as premiums become unaffordable for many, leading to fewer policy renewals.
NDTV
10-07-2025
- Health
- NDTV
Government's Big Move To Check Inflated Hospital Bills Due To Insurers: Report
New Delhi: India plans to bring an existing health insurance claims portal under the finance ministry and insurance regulator to curb overcharging by healthcare providers, a government source told Reuters. Healthcare costs in India are projected to rise by 13 percent in 2025, exceeding the global average of 10 percent, and up from 12 percent recorded a year earlier, according to professional services firm Aon's Global Medical Trend Rates Report. An analysis by the government and the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) found that hospitals are inflating treatment costs for patients and overcharging those with higher covers, the source said earlier this week. This has driven insurers to charge higher health premiums, making coverage less affordable for some, the source said, requesting anonymity as they are not authorised to speak to the media. India's finance and health ministries did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment. "Strict supervision" of the National Health Claims Exchange - the platform that acts as a gateway between insurers, healthcare providers and patients - will improve the "collective bargaining power" of insurance companies to set treatment rates, the source said. Currently, the exchange is overseen by the health ministry's National Health Authority and was developed in "consultation" with the insurance regulator, according to the authority's website. IRDAI does not regulate the health exchange but regulates insurers on the platform. Annual growth in health insurance premium income has slowed to 9% in 2024-25 from over 20% a year ago, according to industry data, as premiums become unaffordable for many, leading to fewer policy renewals. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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Business Standard
10-07-2025
- Health
- Business Standard
Govt may bring health claims portal under FinMin to tackle inflated costs
The Union government is looking to bring the National Health Claims Exchange (NHCX) — the digital platform used to process health insurance claims — under the control of the finance ministry and the insurance regulator in a bid to curb inflated treatment costs by private hospitals, Reuters reported, citing government sources. The move is aimed at strengthening oversight of the portal, which currently operates under the National Health Authority (NHA) of the ministry of health and family welfare, and improving transparency in pricing and billing practices across the health insurance sector, the report added. Overcharging in hospitals, increased premiums According to the report, a joint analysis by the government and the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai) found that hospitals were overcharging patients with higher insurance coverage, leading to increased premiums and reduced affordability of health insurance for many. Recent data from the General Insurance Council show that standalone health insurers collected ₹9,151 crore in premiums in the first quarter of the financial year 2026, marking a 10 per cent year-on-year increase. Bringing the portal under financial regulation could help control spiralling costs, a source told Reuters. The NHCX was developed in consultation with Irdai but is not currently regulated by it. Instead, the insurance regulator only oversees insurers using the platform. According to professional service firm Aon's Global Medical Trend Rates Report 2025, healthcare costs in India are projected to increase by 13 per cent in 2025, surpassing the global average of 10 per cent and exceeding the 12 per cent increase in 2024. Meanwhile, growth in health insurance premium income has slowed to 9 per cent in 2024–25 from over 20 per cent the previous year, with insurers attributing the dip to rising premiums and falling renewals, the Reuters report said.
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
'Overcharging' by hospitals under lens: Govt plans portal shift; aims for 'strict supervision', claims report
NEW DELHI: The government is preparing to bring the National Health Claims Exchange currently managed by the health ministry under the joint supervision of the finance ministry and the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) in a bid to curb overcharging by hospitals and make health insurance more affordable, a source told Reuters. The move is aimed at tightening regulatory control on healthcare billing practices, which officials say are inflating insurance premiums and pushing coverage out of reach for many. The proposed changes follow an internal review by the government and IRDAI, which revealed that hospitals routinely inflate treatment costs for patients, especially those with high-value insurance covers. This has led insurers to increase premiums to cover losses, the source told Reuters, adding that 'strict supervision' of the portal would enhance the bargaining power of insurance companies and ensure more consistent pricing across healthcare providers. Currently, the National Health Claims Exchange a digital platform connecting insurers, hospitals, and patients is overseen by the health ministry's National Health Authority. While IRDAI regulates insurers that use the platform, it does not regulate the portal itself. The portal was initially built in consultation with IRDAI. Healthcare costs in India are projected to rise by 13% in 2025, outpacing the global average of 10%, according to Aon's Global Medical Trend Rates Report cited by Reuters. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Confirmed - This is the deadliest snake in the world Novelodge Undo As reported earlier by The Times of India, health insurance premiums in India crossed the Rs 1-lakh-crore mark in the first 10 months of FY 2024-25, registering a 10% growth from the previous year. Individual health insurance premiums, which now comprise 38% of the total market, saw the highest growth at 13.5%. However, affordability remains a major concern. Some policyholders have seen premium hikes exceeding 10% after recent rate revisions, leading to calls for a waiver of the 18% GST on health policies.
