Cashless insurance is where you need not pay cash at the time of hospitalization, the bills are directly made by the Third Party Administrator, on behalf of the insurance company.

Insurance companies have tie ups with number of hospital where you can avail this facility, such hospitals are called "Network Hospital". What this means you should check for the hospitals which are covered by your TPA before you are hospitalised for cashless hospitalization.

In case of planned hospitalization, the TPA (third party administrator) should be informed 48 hours prior to getting admitted. In case of unplanned hospitalization, you should inform the TPA within 24 hrs of getting admitted.

You have to seek authorisation for availing the treatment on a cashless basis as per procedures laid down in the prescribed form.

Please read the policy document as soon as you receive it to familiarise yourself with the process rather than wait for a claim to arise.

What is not covered under a cashless claim policy?

1) Visitor's fees
2) Registration fees
3) Cost of medicine like oxygen masks, Nebulisers etc.
4) Document charges
5) Diet charges
6) Ambulance charges
7) Toiletries
8) Service charges

Remember to read your policy, as cashless policies have a various conditions that could exclude you from availing of the facility.