Hyderabad:

The IRDAI, on Thursday,has asked the insurers, that decision on authorization for cashless treatment for COVID-19 claims has to be be communicated to the network provider (hospital) within a period of 60 minutes from the time of receipt of such request along with all necessary requirements from the hospital.

The IRDAI direction to the insurers have to implemented immediately.

The IRDAI's direction to the insurers has come following the Delhi High Court's direction to  the insurance regulator to advise insurers to communicate their cashless approvals to the concerned hospitals/establishments within a maximum time period of 30 to 60 minutes so that there shall not be any delay in discharge of patients and hospital beds do not remain unoccupied,

“Decision on final discharge of patients covered in COVID-19 claims shall be communicated to the network provider within a period of one hour from the time of receipt of final bill along with all necessary requirements from the hospital,'' said the IRDAI.

Notwithstanding the above outer limits of timelines specified, the insurers are advised to process such requests promptly so that both authorisation for cashless treatment and discharge of the patient can be hastened to the maximum extent, said the IRDAI.

The insurers will issue appropriate directions to their respective Third Party Administrators for ensuring compliance with the timelines specified, said  .