AHPI, IMA ask Star Health to restore cashless services immediately for policyholders
Healthcare Groups Urge Star Health to Restore Cashless Services Amid Patient Chaos
Thousands of patients in India are struggling to get timely treatment as major hospitals face disruptions from Star Health Insurance. On Monday, the Association of Healthcare Providers of India (AHPI) and the Indian Medical Association (IMA) demanded that Star Health immediately bring back cashless services for policyholders. This move aims to ease the financial and emotional burden on families during medical emergencies.
AHPI highlighted the growing crisis in its member hospitals. Star Health has suddenly stopped cashless treatment options, leaving patients angry and helpless. Hospitals now have to handle the fallout, with many unable to provide the seamless care that health insurance promises. According to AHPI, this suspension has hit several big names, including Manipal Hospital in Delhi and Gurugram, Max Hospitals across North India, Metro Hospital in Faridabad, Medanta Hospital in Lucknow, and Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Hospital in New Delhi.
The IMA’s Hospital Board echoed these worries, pointing out how nursing homes and hospitals are caught in the middle. Things get even tougher because Star Health has delayed or blocked empanelment for new hospitals. This means patients lose out on choices at places like Fortis Hospital in Manesar, Max Hospital in Dwarka, and Medanta Hospital in Noida. Instead of easy cashless access, families must now go through the hassle of reimbursement claims, which can delay recovery and add stress.
AHPI, which represents over 15,000 hospitals and healthcare institutions nationwide, called for quick action. "We urge Star Health to restore cashless services right away in all affected hospitals," the group said. They also pushed for faster empanelment processes to ensure patients can get care anywhere in India without interruptions.
In a joint statement, Dr. Girdhar Gyani, AHPI’s Director General, and Dr. Abul Hasan, Chairman of IMA’s Hospital Board, stressed the basics of health insurance. "People pay premiums expecting cashless treatment at trusted hospitals. It’s unfair for insurers to pull this rug out from under families when they need it most," they said. They added that patients deserve smooth access, and hospitals need fair dealings as key partners in healthcare.
This isn’t the first clash. On September 12, AHPI sent a formal notice to Star Health over "unfair practices" and warned that member hospitals might suspend cashless services by September 22 if things don’t improve. Star Health fired back, calling AHPI’s warning "arbitrary and unclear," with no real details to act on.
The General Insurance Council backed Star Health, asking AHPI to drop the threat. They assured that policyholders’ healthcare access stays protected. But AHPI stood firm, saying their response is just a reaction to Star Health’s own sudden moves, like de-empanelling hospitals and cutting cashless options.
As the standoff continues, patients wait for a resolution. Restoring cashless services could prevent more chaos in India’s health insurance system and keep trust alive for millions relying on it.
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