Questions about health insurance in India have resurfaced following a distressing incident in Mumbai, prompting angel investor Udit Goenka to label it the country's "biggest scam business. " A patient's family in Mumbai is being forced to bear the cost of treatment themselves, despite holding a multi-crore health insurance policy from Niva Bupa.
The Mumbai Incident
The case involves a patient undergoing treatment for myeloid leukemia (blood cancer) at Sir H. N. Reliance Foundation Hospital in Mumbai, who required a bone marrow transplant. The family possessed a Niva Bupa medical policy with a base cover of Rs 1 crore and a no-claim bonus of Rs 1. 4 crore, totaling an impressive Rs 2. 4 crore in insurance coverage. The patient was admitted on July 4th, while when the family submitted a cashless claim for Rs 61. 63 lakh, Niva Bupa reportedly rejected it, citing that "liability couldn't be established. " What is particularly startling is that just one day prior to admission, on July 3rd, Niva Bupa had. Provided written approval for a Rs 25 lakh bone marrow transplant package, explicitly stating it was "final and inclusive. " However, once the actual treatment cost exceeded this initial approval,. The company refused to grant cashless approval for the full amount.
Social Media Outcry and Industry Criticism
The incident has ignited widespread anger on social media. A LinkedIn post described the situation: "Same patient, same treatment, same procedure, and same policy... yet the family now has to arrange Rs 61 lakhs in cash. And that too, at a time when they're fighting a battle between life and death. " The user termed it a "systemic betrayal of health insurance," highlighting how the system abandons people when they need it most. Angel investor Udit Goenka shared the post, commenting, "Insurance is the biggest scam in India, while " He argued that people pay premiums for years, only for companies to backtrack when claims are made during genuine emergencies. As of now, Niva Bupa has not released any official statement regarding this matter. This case isn't just about one family; it raises concerns for every individual who relies on health insurance for medical emergencies. When lives are at stake, humanity, empathy, and justice must take precedence over mere rules and loopholes. The event Importantly erodes public trust in insurance providers.
