How NRIs Can Claim Health Insurance While in India (2025 Guide)

India has become an attractive destination for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) visiting family, investing in property, or even undergoing planned medical treatments. But what happens when you, an NRI, need medical attention during your visit? Can you use your health insurance? How do you file a claim? Is it a smooth or complex process?

This guide breaks down everything NRIs need to know about claiming health insurance in India, including:

• Types of insurance available to NRIs
• Claim processes (cashless vs reimbursement)
• Required documentation
• Best practices to avoid rejections
• Real-world examples

Let’s ensure you’re well-prepared for any medical emergency during your time in India.

Why NRIs Need Health Insurance Coverage in India

Health insurance might seem unnecessary to some NRIs who are only visiting India for a short while. But consider this:

• India has one of the fastest-growing private healthcare sectors.
• Out-of-pocket medical costs can run into lakhs for even minor treatments.
• Travel fatigue, different climate, food changes, and jet lag increase vulnerability to health issues.

Common Health Risks for Visiting NRIs:

• Heat stroke or dehydration
• Food poisoning or digestive infections
• Dengue/malaria (especially during monsoons)
• Accidental injuries (especially road accidents)
• Exacerbation of chronic illnesses like asthma, diabetes

In such situations, a health insurance plan that supports claims within India is essential.

Types of Health Insurance That Cover NRIs

To claim successfully in India, you must hold a valid health insurance policy that either:

1. Indian Domestic Health Insurance (Purchased in India)

• Bought from Indian insurers such as Care, Star Health, ICICI Lombard
• Specifically meant for NRIs traveling to India
• Policy is in INR, and claims are processed locally
• Offers cashless and reimbursement facilities

2. Travel Health Insurance (India-Inclusive)

• Provided by global players or Indian insurers for short-term visits
• Useful for up to 180 days
• Covers emergencies, hospital stays, and sometimes repatriation
• Limited outpatient and pre-existing coverage

3. Global Insurance Plans with India Coverage

• Typically more expensive
• Examples: Cigna Global, Allianz International
• Allows treatment at Indian hospitals but claims may be in USD or through reimbursement

Key Conditions for NRIs to Claim Insurance in India

Before diving into the claim process, you must meet the following conditions:

Two Ways NRIs Can Claim Health Insurance in India

There are two primary methods NRIs can use to claim their insurance benefits during a medical episode in India:

1. Cashless Claim Process

This is the preferred method where the insurance company directly settles the bill with the hospital. You don’t have to pay anything (except non-covered expenses).

How it works:

1. Choose a Network Hospital
   • Visit one of the insurer’s partner hospitals
   • These hospitals have a TPA (Third Party Administrator) desk
2. Show E-Card or Policy Details
   • Provide your policy ID, passport, and identity proof
   • Fill out the pre-authorization form (hospital helps with this)
3. Insurer Approval
   • Insurer approves or queries within 4–6 hours
   • Approval letter sent to the hospital
4. Get Treated
   • Treatment proceeds as per hospital protocol
5. Pay Non-Medical Expenses (If Any)
   • You may need to pay for food, telephone, personal consumables
6. Hospital Settles Bill with Insurer
   • You leave without paying the treatment cost

Tips:

• Choose hospitals with a high volume of NRI patients
• Keep your insurance company’s helpline number handy
• File for pre-authorization as soon as possible to avoid delays

2. Reimbursement Claim Process

If the hospital is not in your insurance network, or if you weren’t able to get pre-approval, you’ll pay upfront and file a claim after discharge.

Steps:

1. Get Admitted & Get Treated
   • Pay the bills yourself
2. Collect All Original Documents
   • Discharge summary
   • Itemized hospital bills
   • Test reports
   • Medicine prescriptions
   • Receipts of payment
3. Fill Insurance Claim Form
   • This can be downloaded from your insurer’s website
4. Submit Documents to Insurer/TPA
   • Usually must be done within 15–30 days of discharge
5. Insurer Reviews & Processes Claim
   • Takes 15–30 working days
6. Amount Credited to Your Account
   • Insurer reimburses approved amount to Indian bank account (or NRO/NRE if allowed)

Tips:

• Scan and digitally back up all medical records
• Use a family member or agent in India to assist with document submission
• Mention clearly if treatment occurred in an emergency or without pre-approval

Required Documents for NRIs to File a Claim

Real-Life Example: NRI Claim Success

Name: Anita Kapoor
Residence: New Jersey, USA
Visit Duration: 3 months
Insurance: Care Explore Plan (₹10 lakh coverage)
Hospitalization: Typhoid fever, 4-day stay in a Delhi private hospital
Hospital Bill: ₹78,000
Claim Type: Cashless

“Care Insurance approved my claim within 3 hours of the hospital’s pre-authorization request. I didn’t have to pay a single rupee, except ₹2,500 for personal items and extra meals. The process was extremely smooth, and all I needed was my policy e-card and passport.”

Common Reasons Why NRI Claims Get Rejected

1. Policy not active at the time of treatment
2. Exclusion of illness (e.g., cosmetic, congenital, mental health)
3. No pre-authorization for cashless claim
4. Treatment done outside network hospital
5. Pre-existing condition within waiting period
6. Incomplete or fake documentation
7. Delayed filing beyond 30-day window

Pro Tip: Always read your policy’s fine print before you travel.

Claiming via Mobile Apps (2025 Trends)

Top Indian insurers now provide mobile apps for policy management and claims. As an NRI, you can use these to:

• Track hospital networks
• Initiate pre-authorization digitally
• Upload documents for reimbursement
• Contact customer care instantly

Popular apps:

• Care Health App (Religare)
• Star Health App
• ICICI Lombard IL TakeCare
• HDFC ERGO Health

Many apps support international logins using OTP over email, making them ideal for NRIs.

Can NRIs Claim While Abroad for Indian Policy?

Short answer: No, unless your policy has global coverage.

Most Indian health insurance plans are territory-limited, meaning you can only claim for treatment within India.

However, a few policies provide international emergency coverage, such as:

• ManipalCigna Global Health
• Max Bupa International
• ICICI Lombard Global Personal Guard

These come at a higher premium but offer peace of mind for NRIs traveling across multiple countries.

Special Considerations for Senior Citizen NRIs

NRIs visiting India above the age of 60 must take extra precautions when claiming:

• Many insurers impose a co-payment clause (10–30% of bill)
• Some policies require medical checkups before policy issuance
• Policy issuance might take 3–5 working days
• Ensure coverage for pre-existing diseases

Recommended plans for senior NRIs:

Taxation on NRI Health Insurance Claims

• Reimbursements are not taxed in India.
• If the claim is large (>₹1 lakh), the insurer may deduct TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) if PAN is not provided.
• You may need to file an Indian income tax return (ITR) if taxation applies.
• Section 80D tax deduction is available only if you have Indian-sourced income and pay in INR.

Common Misconceptions About NRI Health Insurance Claims

Final Checklist: NRI Claim-Readiness Before Visiting India

Buy your Indian health policy before travel
Get a digital & printed copy of the policy
Save TPA and insurer helpline numbers
Choose hospitals near your stay that are in-network
Inform family in India about your coverage
Always keep original bills and prescriptions
File claims within the permitted timeline
Use insurer’s app for updates and submission

Conclusion: Be Prepared, Stay Protected

Health emergencies don’t wait for anyone—especially while traveling. As an NRI, you’ve got options that allow you to claim insurance in India effectively—without stress or financial burden.

By choosing the right plan, understanding the process, and keeping your documentation ready, you’ll be fully equipped to deal with any health situation during your India visit.

Remember: insurance is not just a policy—it’s peace of mind.

Real-Life Claim Scenarios for NRIs in India

Scenario 1: Cashless Claim for Emergency Hospitalization

Person: Vishal Mehra, 41
Based in: Sydney, Australia
Policy: Star Health Travel Protect Plan
Situation: Developed appendicitis while visiting Delhi
Hospital: Max Super Specialty (network hospital)
Claim Type: Cashless

Outcome:
Vishal’s wife contacted the insurer’s TPA desk within an hour of admission. The pre-authorization form was filled and submitted online. The entire bill of ₹1.12 lakh was settled directly with the hospital. Vishal paid ₹1,000 out-of-pocket for personal meals and tips.

Scenario 2: Reimbursement Claim for Non-network Treatment

Person: Mrs. Sarita Sharma, 67
Based in: California, USA
Policy: Care Health Senior Citizen Plan
Situation: Treated at a Tier-2 hospital in Jaipur not listed in the network
Claim Type: Reimbursement

Outcome:
Paid ₹88,000 upfront. After discharge, her son submitted the original bills, diagnostic reports, prescriptions, and passport scan. Within 18 working days, ₹83,000 was credited to her NRO account. ₹5,000 was disallowed for non-covered items like personal attendant and meals.

Scenario 3: Rejected Claim Due to Late Submission

Person: Anand Patel, 34
Based in: Toronto, Canada
Policy: Bajaj Allianz Global Personal Guard
Situation: Minor bike accident with outpatient treatment
Claim: Reimbursement filed 45 days after treatment

Outcome:
Claim was rejected because the policy required submission within 30 days post-treatment. Anand appealed, but due to policy terms, the insurer could not process the claim.

Lesson: Always submit claims within the deadline and understand your policy’s terms.

Legal and Tax Implications of NRI Health Insurance Claims

1. Income Tax Reporting (India)

While health insurance reimbursements are not taxed, here are some related points:

• Section 80D Deductions: If NRIs have taxable income in India (like rent, capital gains, etc.) and pay premiums in INR from an Indian bank account, they can claim ₹25,000–₹50,000 deduction.
• TDS (Tax Deducted at Source): If claim payments exceed ₹1 lakh and PAN is not furnished, TDS of 20% may apply.
• Refund Filing: You can file an Indian ITR to claim back excess TDS.

2. FEMA and RBI Compliance

As per FEMA (Foreign Exchange Management Act):

• NRIs can freely purchase and claim insurance from Indian insurers
• Premiums can be paid from NRO, NRE, or FCNR accounts
• Refunds/claims are allowed to be credited back into NRO/NRE accounts

No special RBI approval is required if the policy is bought from an IRDAI-licensed insurer.

What to Do if Your Claim is Rejected

Claim rejections are not always final. Here’s how to respond:

1. Understand the Reason

Common reasons include:

• Documentation missing/incomplete
• Non-disclosure of pre-existing conditions
• Claim submitted after the allowed timeline
• Treatment not covered (e.g., cosmetic, infertility)

2. Appeal with Insurer

• Submit a written appeal with supporting documents
• Clarify medical necessity, emergency status, or miscommunication

3. Escalate to Grievance Cell

Each insurer has a formal Grievance Redressal Officer. You can file your complaint through:

• Email or postal letter
• Insurer website complaint form

4. Reach Out to IRDAI

If still unresolved, escalate to IRDAI’s Integrated Grievance Management System (IGMS):

• Visit: https://igms.irda.gov.in
• Provide policy details, complaint copy, insurer response

IRDAI typically responds within 15–30 working days.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Can I buy health insurance for my India trip after arriving?
You can, but it’s better to purchase it before departure. Some policies restrict coverage if already in India.

Q2. What’s the best policy if I visit India once every year?
Go for multi-trip health insurance or a long-term domestic policy with portability options.

Q3. Can NRIs cover their Indian parents in the same policy?
Yes. Family floater plans can include parents. However, ensure proper age-based premium calculation and medical tests.

Q4. Will my US or UK insurance cover Indian hospitalization?
Unlikely, unless you’ve opted for global coverage or special add-ons. Most foreign policies exclude India or cover only travel emergencies.

Q5. How long does a typical claim take to settle?

• Cashless: 2–6 hours (pre-auth), real-time settlement
• Reimbursement: 10–30 business days, depending on documents

Q6. Can I get coverage for Ayurveda or Homeopathy?
Yes. Some Indian insurers cover AYUSH treatments if done at certified hospitals. Check your policy benefits.

Corporate Insurance for Returning NRIs

Some NRIs are on work assignments or sabbaticals in India, and their companies extend group health coverage to them.

Tips if you’re covered by a corporate policy:

• Know the TPA contact and claim process
• Download and keep your group e-health card
• Inform HR or insurance helpdesk in case of emergency
• Add dependents (spouse, children) if policy allows

Best Indian Cities for NRI Medical Treatment

NRIs often plan their trips around cities with top hospitals and strong insurer networks.

If your health is a priority during your visit, these cities are best equipped for insured NRIs.

Final Words: Why NRIs Must Be Proactive

As a Non-Resident Indian, you’ve likely made smart financial and professional choices abroad. But when it comes to health, India can present unpredictable risks.

Don’t wait until a medical emergency arises.

• Choose a plan before landing in India
• Know how to file both cashless and reimbursement claims
• Educate your family in India on how to assist you during hospitalization
• Always keep your documents digital, organized, and shareable

Helpful Links for NRIs Claiming Health Insurance

• IRDAI Integrated Grievance Management System (IGMS)
• Care Health NRI Plans
• Star Health for Overseas Citizens
• Policybazaar – Compare NRI Plans
• Taxation for NRIs (Income Tax Dept.)

Call to Action: Plan Your Health, Plan Your Peace of Mind

Your journey to India should be about family, food, memories—not fear of hospitals or surprise bills.

So before you pack your bags:

• Choose the right Indian insurer
• Save their helpline and TPA contact
• Share your policy info with a trusted person
• Read the terms on cashless and reimbursement claims