Many patients are surprised to learn that their health insurance can pay for Ayurvedic treatment. Most health insurance plans in India now include AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy) treatment for admitted patients at recognised hospitals, within the limits written in the policy.
What is usually covered
- Room charges during admission
- Doctor consultation during the stay
- Panchakarma procedures and therapies given as part of in-patient treatment
- Medicines and tests during admission
What is usually not covered
- OPD-only visits, unless your policy includes OPD cover
- Treatment for general wellness or rejuvenation
- Non-medical items and some consumables
- Conditions within a waiting period or listed as exclusions
How to check your policy
- Open your policy wording or benefit table and look for “AYUSH treatment”.
- Check the limit: some policies cover up to the full sum insured, others have a lower cap.
- Check the minimum admission period, usually 24 hours.
- Note any waiting periods for specific conditions or pre-existing diseases.
If this feels confusing, send your policy details to our insurance desk on WhatsApp and we will check them for you.
Cashless treatment
If your insurer has a cashless tie-up with the hospital, you do not pay the covered amount yourself. The hospital sends a pre-authorisation request to the insurer or TPA with your details and treatment plan. After approval, treatment starts, and at discharge the hospital sends the final bill directly to the insurer. You pay only for items not covered.
Reimbursement
If your insurer has no tie-up, you pay at discharge and then file a claim with the discharge summary, itemised bill, receipts, reports and prescriptions. Submit within the time given in your policy, often 15 to 30 days from discharge.
Why the hospital matters
Insurers usually cover AYUSH treatment only at hospitals that meet set standards. Keshavbaug is NABH-accredited and has cashless tie-ups with ICICI Lombard, Niva Bupa and Universal Sompo.
Documents to keep ready
- Health card or policy copy
- Aadhaar and PAN of the patient
- Employee ID for employer group policies
- Old reports and prescriptions
Written by the doctors of KeshavbaugThis article is for general information and is not a substitute for a consultation. Please see a doctor before starting any treatment.
