Mumbai:
Days after insurance coverage supplier Niva Bupa swiftly authorised a medical insurance coverage declare from actor Saif Ali Khan’s household after the surprising assault on him, an organisation of medical professionals has written to insurance coverage regulator IRDAI, questioning celebrities’ “preferential therapy”.
Following the knife assault on Mr Khan throughout a housebreaking try at his Mumbai residence, a doc of his mediclaim approval emerged on social media. Based on the doc, a cashless request of almost Rs 36 lakh had been positioned for the actor’s five-day keep. In its preliminary approval, the insurance coverage supplier had cleared a payout of Rs 25 lakh. Niva Bupa confirmed receiving the pre-authorisation request and mentioned additional claims could be processed as per tips.
The Mumbai-based Affiliation of Medical Consultants, which says it represents over 14,000 medical practitioners and has branches in a number of cities, has written to the chairman of IRDAI — Insurance coverage Regulatory and Improvement Authority of India — on the cashless clearance for Mr Khan’s therapy.
“We’re writing to precise our concern and dissatisfaction concerning the latest information of Mr Saif Ali Khan being sanctioned Rs 25 lakhs for cashless therapy beneath his insurance coverage coverage, which appears to be a preferential therapy in comparison with the advantages obtainable to the widespread policyholders,” the organisation has mentioned in a press release.
“This occasion highlights a troubling development the place celebrities and high-profile people and sufferers with company insurance policies obtain favorable phrases and better cashless therapy limits, whereas unusual residents battle with inadequate protection and low reimbursement charges,” it has mentioned.
The Affiliation of Medical Consultants has mentioned such practices create an “unfair disparity”. “We consider Insurance coverage must be a safeguard for all, no matter social standing. Preferential therapy primarily based on celeb standing creates a two-tier system, which is discriminatory towards unusual policyholders. There’s a want for higher transparency in how insurance coverage claims and cashless therapy limits are decided,” it has mentioned.
The organisation has requested IRDAI to probe the matter and be certain that all policyholders, no matter social standing, are handled equally. It has additionally demanded tips to forestall preferential therapy and improve transparency in mediclaim approvals.
Mr Khan was admitted to Mumbai’s Lilavati Hospital on January 16 after he suffered six stab accidents throughout a struggle with an intruder who had damaged into his residence to commit theft. One in all his accidents was on the backbone and the knife missed his spinal twine by simply 2 mm, docs have mentioned. Mr Khan has been operated upon for his again harm and wounds on his arm and neck. He was discharged final week and has been suggested mattress relaxation for every week.