Approximately 15,000 hospitals in India have stopped providing cashless treatment to policyholders of Bajaj Allianz. The main reason behind this decision is the alleged delay in settlement of claims by the insurance company. Hospitals have complained that Bajaj Allianz has been taking an inordinately long time to clear their dues, leading to significant financial strain on the healthcare providers.
The Indian Healthcare Federation has come out in support of the hospitals, stating that delayed payments are causing immense hardship for them. The Federation has claimed that Bajaj Allianz has been delaying payments for months, and in some cases, even years. This has led to a situation where hospitals are no longer willing to provide cashless treatment to Bajaj Allianz policyholders, as they are not sure when they will receive payment for their services.
The issue has been ongoing for several months, with hospitals repeatedly bringing it to the attention of Bajaj Allianz. However, the insurance company has failed to take adequate measures to address the issue. As a result, hospitals have been left with no choice but to stop providing cashless treatment to Bajaj Allianz policyholders.
The decision by hospitals to stop providing cashless treatment is likely to affect thousands of policyholders who rely on Bajaj Allianz for their medical expenses. Policyholders may be forced to pay out of pocket for their treatment and then claim reimbursement from the insurance company. This could lead to significant financial hardship for many people, particularly those who are not in a position to afford expensive medical treatment.
Bajaj Allianz has maintained that it is working to resolve the issue and ensure that claims are settled promptly. However, the company has not provided a timeline for when the issue is likely to be resolved. In the meantime, policyholders are advised to check with their hospital before undergoing treatment to confirm whether cashless treatment is available.
The dispute between hospitals and Bajaj Allianz highlights the need for greater transparency and efficiency in the insurance claims process. It also underscores the importance of hospitals and insurance companies working together to ensure that policyholders receive the medical care they need without facing financial hardship. Until the issue is resolved, policyholders are likely to face significant uncertainty and inconvenience.