In 2025, nearly 90 percent of health-insurance claims in India are settled
cashlessly - but many policyholders still don’t understand how the system
actually works.
A cashless claim means you don’t pay the hospital upfront; your insurer
settles the bill directly with the network hospital.
The catch? It works only at approved network hospitals.
This guide explains how cashless networks operate, which insurers have the widest tie-ups,
and how to check if your preferred hospital is on the list.
Whether you’re buying a new policy or filing your first claim, knowing how to navigate
cashless approval can save hours of paperwork and thousands in emergency costs.
What Is Cashless Hospitalization?
A process where the insurer (or TPA - Third Party Administrator) settles eligible medical
bills directly with the hospital.
You pay only non-admissible charges (consultation, PPE kit, etc.).
Requirements:
- Hospital must be in the insurer’s approved network.
- Pre-authorization form submitted before treatment (24 hrs for planned / within 24 hrs of
emergency).
- Insurer approves estimated amount.
- Final settlement done at discharge.
Top Insurers by Cashless Network 2025
| Rank |
Insurer |
Network Hospitals |
Average Claim Approval Time |
Special Feature |
| 1 |
Star Health |
14,000 + |
2 - 4 hours |
Dedicated senior-desk approvals |
| 2 |
HDFC ERGO |
13,000 + |
3 - 5 hours |
100 % digital cashless |
| 3 |
Care Health |
12,500 + |
2 - 6 hours |
Paperless approval system |
| 4 |
Niva Bupa |
10,000 + |
3 - 6 hours |
In-house TPA (Cashless Everywhere) |
| 5 |
Aditya Birla |
11,000 + |
4 - 8 hours |
AI approval workflow |
| 6 |
ManipalCigna |
9,000 + |
3 - 7 hours |
Wellness network integration |
Planned vs Emergency Cashless Admission
Planned Admission:
- Send pre-auth form 48 - 72 hrs before hospitalization.
- Get confirmation SMS /email approval from insurer.
Emergency Admission:
- Hospital notifies TPA within 24 hrs.
- Pre-auth processed fast-track (2 - 4 hrs).
- Patient admitted without deposit (subject to eligibility).
Compare Insurers by Network Size →
Advantages of Cashless Hospitalization
- No upfront payment for admission / surgery.
- Instant approval reduces claim stress.
- Digital tracking through insurer app.
- Faster turnaround (average TAT 4 - 6 hours).
- Tax benefits still apply under 80D.
Common Reasons for Claim Rejection or Delay
- Hospital not in network.
- Incomplete documentation.
- Waiting period not completed.
- Treatment not covered under policy.
- Room-rent limit exceeded → proportionate deductions.
Cashless Claim Process (2025 Simplified)
- Show Health Card / E-card at network hospital.
- Hospital submits pre-auth form to insurer.
- Approval within 2 - 6 hours.
- Treatment begins.
- At discharge, hospital sends final bill → Insurer settles directly.
- You pay only non-admissible charges (if any).
Top Network Hospital Categories
- Multi-specialty hospitals (e.g., Apollo, Max, Fortis, Manipal)
- Cardiac care centres for heart plans
- Diabetes & dialysis centres for chronic plans
- Maternity & neonatal care hospitals
- Regional clinics in tier 2/3 cities
How to Check Network Hospitals in Hyderabad
- Visit PolicyBachat → Cashless Hospitals Finder.
- Select insurer + PIN code.
- View map + hospital specializations
- Filter by ICU, cardiac, maternity, or day-care facility.
Local Insights (Hyderabad)
- Total cashless hospitals: 320.
- Average claim approval time: 6 hours.
- Top networks: CityCare Hospital, Prime Health Centre, Lifeline
Multispeciality.
- Most common cashless claims: Planned surgeries, Emergency
hospitalisation.
FAQs
What is the difference between cashless and reimbursement claim?
Cashless = direct insurer payment; Reimbursement = you pay first, get refunded later.
Can I use cashless facility in any hospital?
Only in your insurer’s network hospitals.
What if hospital is not in network?
Pay bills yourself → apply for reimbursement within 15 days.
Are day-care procedures covered cashlessly?
Yes, for approved procedures (like dialysis, chemo).
How long does cashless approval take?
Usually 2 - 6 hours (urgent cases faster).
Do I need pre-approval for emergency admission?
Hospital notifies insurer within 24 hrs - no delay in admission.
Can I see network list online?
Yes, via insurer or PolicyBachat network tool.
Are non-network claims rejected?
No, but processed as reimbursement.
Do cashless claims affect No Claim Bonus?
Only if you make a paid claim (bonus reduces proportionally).
Which insurer has largest network in 2025?
Star Health - 14,000 + cashless hospitals nationwide.
Buy Health Plan with Largest Hospital Network →
Customer Reviews
- “Cashless claim approved within 3 hours - amazing service.” - Ravi Menon
- “Used PolicyBachat’s network finder to pick the right hospital.” - Sneha
Iyer
- “No billing stress during emergency admission.” - Vikram Desai
- “Transparent TPA process, smooth discharge.” - Kavya Sharma
- “Optima Restore plan handled cashless claim flawlessly.” - Rajesh Rao
- “Helpful comparison of network sizes by insurer.” - Meera Nair
PolicyBachat Advantage
- Compare 20 + insurers by network size & approval speed.
- Find cashless hospitals by PIN code or specialty.
- Real-time claim tracking & Claim Assist support.
- Instant e-card download after purchase.
- 100 % digital policy issuance within minutes.
PolicyBachat Tip
In an emergency, you don’t have time to compare hospitals - know your network before you need it.
Tax Benefits (Section 80D)
Self + family = ₹25,000
Parents (< 60) = +₹25,000
Parents (60 +) = +₹50,000
Total deduction: up to ₹75,000 per year
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