/script>
IRDAI modifies rules of pre-existing diseases
Feb. 16, 2020

The insurance regulator has eased up some norms for pre-existing diseases that would benefit policyholders. The changes made to the definition of pre-existing disease also clears the ambiguities that could have lead to claim rejection and termination of policies.

In the past, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has changed the definition of pre-existing diseases twice. According to the latest norms, if a policyholder is diagnosed with any disease within the first three months of taking a health insurance policy, it will no longer be considered as a pre-existing disease.

"This change takes away problems that policyholders could have faced due to existing regulations. If an illness falls under the definition of pre-existing disease, the insurer could reject the claim, hike premium, or even terminate the policy," said Amit Chhabra, head - health insurance, Policybazaar.com, an online insurance marketplace.