28/09/2014
Health insurers offer Nano price schemes......
"Star Health is at present piloting a Rs 1 lakh sum insured cover with an annual premium of Rs 1,000 across a few districts in Tamil Nadu and Kerala."
CHENNAI: With increased pe*******on of government health insurance schemes like RSBY (Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana) coupled with private hospitals building capacity across the country, health insurers are also looking at smaller markets.
Private health insurer, Star Health is at present piloting a Rs 1 lakh sum insured cover with an annual premium of Rs 1,000 across a few districts in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. "The increased pe*******on of healthcare facilities has resulted in lesser movement of patients to metros at least for routine procedures. If a person chooses to get a procedure done in a metro, the entire sum insured is wiped out very soon. On the other hand, the same policy can be better utilized if the same procedure is possible back in his home town," V Jagannathan, CMD, Star Health and Allied Insurance said.
And while a differentiated product offering may help insurers get volumes initially, officials state a growing population plus demand for quality health care is pushing insurers to look at such markets. "Today, customers from smaller towns and cities want an open product with minimal exclusions with many not minding to pay additional premium for the same," Renuka Kanvinde, associate VP at Bajaj Allianz General Insurance said.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Health-insurers-offer-Nano-price-schemes/articleshow/43384483.cms
With increased pe*******on of government health insurance schemes like RSBY (Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana) coupled with private hospitals building capacity across the country, health insurers are also looking at smaller markets.
