Health Insurance and Ayushman Bharat
Private Health Insurance in India
Private insurers offer individual and family plans, but coverage is limited, premiums have risen and claim processes can be difficult.
For those who can pay.
Coverage
A minority of Indians have private health insurance, mostly urban and higher-income.
Terms
Waiting periods, sub-limits and exclusions can surprise buyers.
Cost
Premiums have risen with medical inflation.
Tax
GST on individual health policies was removed in 2025, lowering the cost of premiums.
A waiting period
A policy doesn't cover a pre-existing condition for the first few years.
Buying a policy without reading exclusions
Terms matter.
Key takeaways
- Coverage is concentrated.
- Terms can be restrictive.
- Premiums are rising.
- GST on individual policies was cut in 2025.
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