#976 Is ₹10 Lakh Health Insurance Enough for Your Family? | Govindraj Ethiraj | The Core Report

Description

Is ₹10 lakh health insurance enough for your family? In this episode of The Core Report Weekend Edition, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj speaks with Mayank Bathwal, CEO, Aditya Birla Health Insurance Co. Ltd., about rising healthcare costs, medical inflation and whether family health insurance is keeping pace with the treatment people expect.Mayank Bathwal says medical inflation has consistently run at 10–12%, making ₹10 lakh and ₹15 lakh health insurance covers increasingly common. He explains why families need to consider future healthcare expenses when assessing coverage, as newer treatments and changing patterns of illness reshape the cost of care.The conversation explores whether health insurance can move beyond what Mayank Bathwal calls “sickness funding”. He discusses preventive health checkups, outpatient care, cashless consultations and wellness incentives designed to encourage healthier behaviour. He also explains why OPD cover, vaccinations and maternity benefits present different pricing challenges and vary across policies.Govindraj Ethiraj asks why health insurance claims still cause frustration. Mayank Bathwal discusses waiting periods, pre-existing conditions, exclusions and the gap between what customers expect and what their policies cover. He acknowledges that efforts to detect fraud can create friction for genuine claimants, making clearer communication and a better claims experience essential.The discussion also examines what younger consumers want from health insurance. Mayank Bathwal explains why regular benefits such as OPD care and wellness rewards can make policies more relevant to people who do not expect to need hospital treatment. He also discusses how younger policyholders can help balance the insurance risk pool and support affordability.Govindraj Ethiraj and Mayank Bathwal explore family health insurance, medical inflation, rising premiums, cashless hospital networks, lifestyle-related claims and the challenge of reaching India’s underinsured population. They also discuss Bim