GI Council affirms support to Star Health to safeguard policyholders

Mumbai: support to Star Health and Allied Insurance following the unilateral and unwarranted action taken by the Association of Healthcare Providers (India) (AHPI), threatening suspension of cashless services for policyholders. Such arbitrary action prejudices the interests of policyholders and risks undermining trust in the health insurance ecosystem.

The Council had proactively scheduled a meeting with AHPI on September 2, to constructively resolve concerns. However, AHPI rescheduled the meeting to a future date yet to be confirmed. Despite this, AHPI has proceeded with its unilateral action, signalling a preference for disruption over collaboration to improve customer service and protect patient interests.

Tariff negotiations and billing practices are regular business activities between hospitals and insurers and should never be used to compromise patient care. Star Health policyholders will continue to have uninterrupted access to healthcare, ensuring their coverage remains fully protected. Any disruption in cashless services directly impacts families through higher upfront expenses and risks patient well-being in emergencies.

The health insurance industry has consistently invested in reforms to make quality healthcare accessible and affordable. Initiatives such as Cashless Everywhere and the National Health Claims Exchange (NHCX) ensure seamless treatment for citizens nationwide. The recent removal of GST on health insurance premiums has further strengthened financial protection for all policyholders.

The General Insurance Council urges AHPI to immediately withdraw its warning and engage constructively with insurers, ensuring uninterrupted cashless services for all policyholders. The Council and the insurance industry remain committed to providing better services, a seamless customer experience, and reliable access to quality healthcare across India.