Govt-owned insurance co denies claim on Ayurvedic hospital bill

Vadodara: In times of Covid-19, when the central government through AYUSH ministry is pushing Ayurveda as an alternative treatment, its own insurance company has rejected a claim of Rs 31,000 made by a man for treatment at an Ayurvedic hospital in Nadiad.

The central government-owned National Insurance Company Ltd had to face consumer court’s wrath as it was ordered to pay the entire treatment expenses to the man along with interest.

Complainant Rajeshkumar Gohil, who lives on Waghodiya-Dabhoi Ring Road, had undergone treatment for anal fistula at Sushrut Hospital in Nadiad in March last year. Gohil had then submitted the claim with the insurance company. But the insurance company rejected it on basis of it being an Ayurvedic hospital which has less than 15 beds thereby refusing to process the claim.

Gohil then approached the Vadodara District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum seeking the claim amount along with a compensation amount of Rs 20,000 for mental harassment. While the case was being heard, the insurance company reiterated its reasons and also argued that the hospital is not government registered. In response, Gohil submitted the registration details of the hospital with the Nadiad municipality and gave his case papers.

The forum presided by D Y Malik upheld Gohil’s evidence. “The registration of the hospital with municipality and complainant’s case papers prove the treatment done by hospital as genuine. The insurance company has lacked in its service by misinterpreting the complainant’s claim and rejecting it,” the forum stated.

Along with the claim amount, National Insurance Company was also asked to pay Rs 2,000 as compensation to Gohil.

Source: The Times of India

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