Daybreak What happens when hospitals and insurers stop talking
17 snips
Nov 4, 2025 When insurance cards stop working, it’s a sign of a much deeper issue in Indian healthcare. Patients are left in crisis as hospitals and insurers argue over reimbursement rates and inflated bills. Major players in the industry are at odds, leaving millions of policyholders stranded in a costly deadlock. Proposed solutions from regulators could reshape treatment standardization, but skepticism remains. Ultimately, the conflict raises questions about the true value of medical care and the future of cashless treatment for patients.
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Cashless Cards Suddenly Stop Working
- A family hands over a cashless card after surgery but gets told cashless is suspended and must pay now and claim later.
- Millions of policyholders across India faced this same abrupt denial of promised coverage.
A Systemic Breakdown Between Hospitals And Insurers
- Major hospitals and large insurers have quietly suspended cashless access, leaving patients to pay out of pocket.
- The standoff reveals a systemic breakdown between providers and insurers affecting 550 million insured Indians.
Outdated Rates Vs Soaring Medical Costs
- Many smaller hospitals still receive insurance rates set years ago, some unchanged since 2011, while surgery costs have tripled since 2016.
- Hospitals argue current reimbursements are unsustainable and erode margins that fund technology and expansion.