What is group health insurance?
Group health insurance is one medical policy that covers many people, usually the employees or members of an organisation. The employer or organisation buys the plan and pays the premium. Every member gets the policy's benefits.
A group mediclaim policy aims to give affordable healthcare cover to a large number of people. It typically covers preventive care, hospitalisation, medical procedures and other healthcare services. Some plans add wellness programmes, health education and tele-medicine access.
Examples
Employer-sponsored cover: The employer pays some or all of the premium. In some companies, employees pay the rest from their salary. The plan covers doctor visits, hospital stays and preventive care, and some plans add dental and vision cover.
Association cover: Professional and trade associations buy plans for their members. This gives small businesses and self-employed people affordable cover they would not get from an employer.
We tailor each plan to the group's needs, so coverage options and cost-sharing vary. These plans may not carry the same rules and protections as an individual health policy.
How group health insurance works
- Form the groupPeople or an organisation come together to get cover.
- Choose a planThe employer or a representative picks a group mediclaim policy that fits the team's needs and budget.
- Pay the premiumThe employer or organisation pays for the members' cover.
- Pool the riskPremiums from all members fund the claims of any one member, so no single claim hits one person hard.
- Use the coverThe plan pays for doctor visits, hospital stays, medicines and preventive care, as per the plan you choose.
- Make a claimSubmit a claim after treatment. The insurer either pays the hospital directly or reimburses the member.
- Get cashless treatmentAt network hospitals, members pay nothing upfront. The insurer settles the bill with the hospital.
Who should buy a group health plan?
Employers. Group health insurance is a core employee benefit. It helps you attract and retain talent and improves satisfaction and productivity.