Saif Ali Khan’s insurance claim sparks debate over health policy inequalities
Mumbai: The leaked health insurance claim document of actor Saif Ali Khan has stirred widespread debate on social media, highlighting the stark disparities in how insurance companies handle claims for celebrities compared to ordinary citizens. The document, leaked on the microblogging platform X, revealed that Khan filed a claim of ₹35.95 lakh with Niva Bupa Health Insurance for his treatment costs. However, the insurer approved ₹25 lakh, while the final hospital bill amounted to ₹26 lakh.
The incident has drawn attention to the challenges faced by middle-class policyholders. Dr Prashant Mishra, a cardiac surgeon at Tunga Hospital, criticised insurance companies for their leniency towards luxury hospitals and celebrities, stating, "For smaller hospitals, insurers rarely sanction amounts exceeding ₹5 lakh." He also expressed concerns over the rising premiums caused by such practices.
Real-life cases from citizens further highlighted the inconsistencies. Mahesh Seth, whose wife underwent hip and knee surgeries, had to pay ₹4 lakh upfront as the hospital was not in the insurer's network. He was later reimbursed ₹3.88 lakh, with certain expenses deemed non-reimbursable. Similarly, Kiran Karkera, 28, recounted the tedious process of navigating claims after his spine surgery, despite having a top-up policy.
A Goregaon resident shared her ordeal after her endoscopy claim for ₹15,000 was rejected on technical grounds, as it was classified as an OPD procedure. Insurance consultant Mahavir Chopra pointed out the limitations of cashless insurance policies during emergencies, citing instances where immediate payments were required, leaving policyholders to bear the financial burden temporarily.
Responding to the controversy, a spokesperson for Niva Bupa Health Insurance clarified that treatment costs vary depending on factors like hospital location, severity of the condition, and room type. Claims are processed per policy terms, with customers required to follow specific procedures for cashless or reimbursement claims.
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Vitla: One arrested in connection with daring robbery posing as ED officers; 5 others still at large
Mangaluru: The police have arrested a 49-year-old man, Anil Fernandes, a resident of Kollam, Kerala, in connection with a daring robbery in which a group of six men, posing as ED officers, stole approximately Rs 30 lakh from a businessman's residence.
The police have recovered the getaway car, Rs 5 lakh in cash, and other properties from the accused.
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Four special investigation teams comprising of officers and personnel from various police stations in Dakshina Kannada district and are expert of cracking similar cases are currently working on the case.
