The Government of India is reportedly planning to bring the health insurance claims portal under the finance ministry and insurance regulator IRDAI to curb healthcare overcharging. 

The move aims to address the issue of hospitals inflating treatment costs, particularly for patients with higher insurance coverage, as found in an analysis by the government and IRDAI. 

According to the analysis by the government and IRDAI, hospitals have been found to inflate treatment costs for patients, particularly those with higher insurance coverage, which has led to increased health premiums and reduced affordability for some individuals. 

The National Health Claims Exchange, which facilitates the exchange of health claim information among stakeholders, will be overseen by the department of financial services and regulated by IRDAI, reported Financial Express, citing an official.  

With “strict supervision,” insurance companies are expected to gain collective bargaining power to set treatment rates, according to the government source cited by Reuters. 

Financial Express quoted an official as saying: “The operations of the portal will be strengthened, which will give insurance companies collective bargaining power to ensure that hospitals standardise their rates for various treatments or procedures.” 

As per Reuters, the government source highlighted the need for stricter oversight to address the issue of overcharging.  

Meanwhile, a report from Moneycontrol suggested ongoing discussions between the General Insurance Council and IRDAI with the central government to establish an independent regulatory body for the healthcare sector.