Cashless treatment means the insurer or its third-party administrator settles eligible hospital charges directly with the hospital, so you do not have to fund the whole bill and claim it back later. It is available at hospitals in the insurer's network.
How a cashless claim usually runs
- You present the health card and identification at the hospital's insurance desk.
- The hospital sends a pre-authorisation request to the insurer or administrator.
- The insurer approves an amount, sometimes in stages as treatment continues.
- At discharge, the insurer settles the approved portion and you pay the rest.
What you may still pay
- Any deductible or co-pay written into the policy.
- Charges above a room-rent limit, and the proportionate deductions that follow from it.
- Non-medical consumables and items listed as excluded.
Planned admissions are usually easier to pre-authorise than emergencies. Network lists change, so verify the hospital before admission where possible.