Glossary
What does mediclaim mean?
Mediclaim is a health insurance policy that pays for hospitalisation, up to the sum insured, either cashless at a network hospital or by reimbursement. It is the older, everyday name for the most common kind of health cover. Health insurance is the wider term, covering mediclaim-style policies and others. Group mediclaim is the version an employer buys for its employees.
In short
- Mediclaim = a policy that pays hospital bills up to the sum insured.
- Health insurance is the wider term; mediclaim is one kind.
- Group mediclaim (GMC) is the version an employer buys.
- Most mediclaim policies pay for in-patient treatment, with set exceptions.
What is the meaning of mediclaim?
A health insurance policy that pays for hospital treatment, up to the sum insured. The name grew out of the idea of claiming back medical bills, and it stuck. Today a mediclaim policy pays either directly to a network hospital, called cashless, or back to you after you pay, called reimbursement.
Is mediclaim the same as health insurance?
Mediclaim is one kind of health insurance. Health insurance is the wider family, covering mediclaim-style hospitalisation policies as well as others that pay differently, for example a fixed sum on diagnosis of a serious illness. In everyday speech in India, people often use the two words to mean the same thing.
What does a mediclaim policy cover?
In-patient hospital treatment, and the costs linked to it. That usually includes the days before and after a hospital stay, listed day-care procedures, and ambulance charges. Outpatient visits on their own are usually not covered. Our page on OPD vs IPD explains the exceptions.
What is group mediclaim?
Mediclaim bought by an employer for its employees, often with their families. It is called GMC, Group Mediclaim. A group policy can cover pre-existing diseases from day one, with no medical check to join, which an individual mediclaim policy usually can’t. Our GMC page explains it in full.
Frequently asked questions
What is mediclaim in simple words?
A health insurance policy that pays your hospital bills, up to the sum insured, either directly to the hospital or back to you.
What is the difference between mediclaim and health insurance?
Mediclaim is a kind of health insurance that pays hospitalisation costs. Health insurance is the wider term, including other kinds of health cover.
What is group mediclaim?
Mediclaim that an employer buys for its employees and often their families. It is also called GMC.
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A note on this page. Everything here is general information, not insurance, legal, financial or tax advice, and nothing is an offer. No insurer or product is named or recommended. What any policy covers depends on its own wording and schedule. For advice about your situation, talk to us.