Irdai empowers insurers to empanel hospitals for cashless facility

Regulator asks companies to publish board-approved empanelment criteria on their websites periodically; insurers to focus on quality of healthcare services of hospitals being empanelled

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai) has permitted insurance companies to empanel network providers or hospitals that meet the standards and benchmark criteria specified by their (the insurers') respective boards so as to enhance the scope of offering cashless facility across the country.

In a circular issued on Wednesday, Irdai said, “…the insurers are now empowered to empanel the network providers that meet the standards and benchmarks criteria as specified by their respective boards. While specifying the criteria, the board of insurers shall, amongst others, consider especially the minimum manpower and healthcare infrastructure facilities”.

The regulator has