Network vs Non-Network Hospitals in Health Insurance
When comparing health insurance plans, the size of the hospital network often becomes a key factor in your decision. People tend to prefer insurers with a larger network because it promises greater access to care. But there are several misconceptions about what “network hospitals” mean and how they impact your claim experience.
Imagine a situation where a family member needs urgent care. In such moments, you rush to the nearest hospital without checking whether it is a “network” one or not. However, for planned treatments, knowing the difference between network and non-network hospitals can save you both money and stress.
Network hospitals are empanelled with your insurer under a formal agreement. They allow policyholders to avail cashless hospitalisation , meaning billing is settled between the hospital and the insurer while you focus on recovery.
ManipalCigna Health Insurance has over 14000+ network hospitals across India, ensuring accessibility and convenience for its policyholders.
We also have OPD cashless network of around 37000 hospitals in India, The insurer directly settles the medical bills with the hospital, subject to policy terms and conditions. The process is smoother, with minimal paperwork and trained hospital staff managing insurance approvals.
Non-network hospitals are facilities not tied to the insurer. You can seek treatment there, but you will need to pay the full bill at the time of discharge.
If a policyholder avails treatment at such a hospital, they have to pay the bills upfront and later apply for reimbursement. This involves submitting all the necessary documents, like bills, prescriptions, discharge summaries, etc.
Because of manual verification, reimbursement claims usually take longer to process compared to cashless claims.
These hospitals span metros, towns, and regional hubs, ensuring access wherever you are.
The insurer continually adds new hospitals to strengthen accessibility.
Using ManipalCigna's Hospital Locator Tool ManipalCigna Health Insurance provides a hospital locator tool on its website where policyholders can check the list of empanelled network hospitals. Tips for Selecting the Right Hospital Always confirm network status before admission to avoid surprises. Contacting Customer Support for Assistance Policyholders can call customer care for guidance on the latest empanelled list.
It is essential to understand the distinction between a network and a non-network hospital for effective healthcare management. In emergencies, when you do not care about money but only the well-being of a family member, you might ignore the distinction between the two categories. However, when the illnesses are routine and manageable, you should consider using a network hospital because it offers a cashless facility, and there is no pressure on you to handle any paperwork associated with the treatment.
Yes, you can choose any hospital for treatment. However, choosing a network hospital gives you the benefit of cashless treatment, while non-network hospitals require you to pay upfront and later apply for reimbursement.
You can check ManipalCigna’s hospital locator tool on their website or app. Always confirm with the hospital before admission, as the network list may change over time.
You will need to pay the bills upfront and then submit the required documents (bills, prescriptions, discharge summaries) to the insurer for reimbursement. Claim settlement may take longer compared to cashless treatment.
Yes, non-network hospitals may lead to higher out-of-pocket expenses since you pay first and then wait for reimbursement. Certain charges may also not be covered under your policy terms.
