Telemedicine to be covered under health policy: IRDAI
18-Jun-20 00:49:04

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has asked health insurers to allow telemedicine as part of the claim settlement of policy of the insurers and need not be filed separately with the authority for any modification. 

However, the norms of sub limits, monthly/annual limits etc. of the product shall apply without any relaxation, IRDAI said in a statement. 

IRDAI also asked insurers to allow telemedicine wherever consultation with a medical practitioner is allowed in the terms and conditions of policy contract. 

This move will bring relief to health insurance policy holders. 

Telemedicine allows health care professionals to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients in remote locations using telecommunications technology. Telemedicine allows patients in remote locations to access medical expertise quickly, efficiently and without travel. 

Telemedicine offered shall be in compliance with the telemedicine practice guidelines dated 25th of March 2020 and as amended from time to time, IRDAI said. 

Earlier on March 25, Union health ministry had issued telemedicine practice guidelines in consultation with NITI Aayog. These guidelines will assist the medical practitioners in pursuing a sound course of action to provide effective and safe medical care founded on current information, available resources, and patient needs to ensure patient and provider safety. 

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India is an autonomous, statutory body tasked with regulating and promoting the insurance and re-insurance industries in India. It was constituted by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority Act, 1999, an Act of Parliament passed by the Government of India. The agency's headquarters is in Hyderabad, Telangana, where it moved from Delhi in 2001. 

IRDAI is a 10-member body including the chairman, five full-time and four part-time members appointed by the government of India. IRDAI's mission is to protect the interests of the policyholders, to regulate, promote and ensure orderly growth of the insurance industry and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.