A health insurance policy is most valuable when you can use it during a medical emergency without worrying about arranging cash. This is where cashless hospitalization becomes extremely important. Cashless treatment allows you to get admitted, treated, and discharged from a hospital without paying the bill upfront — your insurer settles the amount directly with the hospital.
However, this benefit is available only if the hospital is part of your insurer’s cashless network. Knowing how to check cashless hospitals under your health insurance policy can save you time, money, and stress during emergencies.
In this guide, you’ll learn the step-by-step process to check cashless hospitals for any health insurance policy in India, whether bought from a private insurer, government insurer, TPA, or online aggregator.
What Is a Cashless Hospital Network?
A cashless hospital network is a list of hospitals that have a tie-up with your health insurance company. These hospitals directly coordinate with the insurer or TPA to settle your medical bills.
Benefits of Cashless Hospitals
- No need to arrange money during emergency
- Direct settlement by insurance company
- Faster admission and discharge
- No reimbursement paperwork
- Better claim approval rates
Because of these benefits, checking the network hospital list before choosing a policy is crucial.
Why You Must Check Cashless Hospitals Before You Need Them
Most policyholders don’t know which hospitals are covered until an emergency happens. But this can lead to:
- Claim rejection
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Delays in treatment
- Stress and confusion
Checking your cashless hospital list in advance gives you clarity and confidence.
How to Check Cashless Hospitals for Your Health Insurance Policy (All Methods)
Here are the official and guaranteed ways to check cashless hospitals for any insurer in India.
1. Check on Your Insurance Company’s Official Website
This is the most accurate and easiest method.
Steps:
- Go to your insurer’s official website.
- Find the section: Network Hospitals / Cashless Hospitals.
- Enter your city, pin code, or state.
- The list of available hospitals will appear.
- You can download the PDF list or view on the map.
Example:
For HDFC ERGO: Network Hospitals → Enter city → List appears.
For Star Health: Cashless Network → Search city → Download list.
This method is 100% reliable and updated.
2. Use Your Insurer’s Mobile App (Fastest Method)
Most major insurers have apps where you can check network hospitals within seconds.
Steps:
- Install your insurer’s app
- Login using mobile number / policy number
- Go to “Cashless Hospitals” or “Network Hospitals”
- Search by location
Apps also show:
- Hospital address
- Contact number
- Specialities
- 24/7 emergency availability
3. Check Policy Document or Welcome Email
When you purchase your policy, the insurer sends a digital welcome kit that includes:
- Policy bond
- Coverage details
- Network hospital list (PDF)
However, the list may not always be updated. Always cross-check online.
4. Visit the TPA Website (For TPA-Based Policies)
Some health insurance policies work through TPA (Third Party Administrators).
Your card will show the TPA name such as:
- Medi Assist
- Vidal Health
- MDIndia
- Paramount
- FHPL
- Health India
Steps to check:
- Go to your TPA website
- Enter policy number or search by city
- Download the list of cashless hospitals
This is especially useful for corporate/group insurance policies.
5. Call Customer Care for Instant Assistance
Every insurer has a 24×7 helpline.
Just call and say:
“Please tell me the cashless hospitals in my city for my policy number ______.”
They will:
- Check your policy
- Confirm valid network hospitals
- Send list by email or SMS
6. Visit the Nearest Branch of Your Insurance Company
If you prefer offline support:
- Visit the insurer’s branch
- Show your health card or policy number
- Ask for the updated network hospital list
They will print it for you or share it via email.
7. Use Online Aggregators (For Generic Comparison)
Platforms like:
- PolicyBazaar
- Coverfox
- OneAssure
offer hospital search options, but not as accurate as your insurer’s website. Use them only for general reference.
What Information You Get When Checking Cashless Hospitals
Once you search, you will see:
- Hospital Name
- Specializations
- ICU & Emergency availability
- Address & phone number
- Cashless availability (Yes/No)
- Room rent limits
- TPA desk availability
Some apps even show “pre-authorization approval rating.”
Types of Cashless Hospitals: Which One Should You Choose?
1. Network Hospitals
Fully cashless + direct claim settlement.
2. Daycare Hospitals
Specialized centers offering procedures that don’t require 24-hour hospitalization.
3. Super Specialty Hospitals
Good for heart, cancer, and critical illness treatments.
4. Multi-Specialty Hospitals
For general surgeries and emergency treatments.
Choose based on your medical needs.
What to Do If Hospital Is Not in Network List?
You still have two options:
Option 1 — Reimbursement Claim
Pay the bill → submit documents → get money back.
Option 2 — Request Hospital to Join Network
Some hospitals tie-up quickly with insurers on request.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Assuming all big hospitals offer cashless
❌ Not checking updated list for changes
❌ Depending only on agent information
❌ Waiting for emergency to check network hospitals
Avoid these mistakes to prevent claim rejection shocks.
FAQs
1. How do I find cashless hospitals for my health insurance policy?
You can check the insurer’s official website, mobile app, policy welcome kit, or TPA website. Customer care can also share the list instantly. Make sure you search using your city or pin code to get accurate results. Always verify the list before a hospital visit.
2. Can any hospital offer cashless treatment?
No. Only hospitals that have an agreement with your insurance company can offer cashless treatment. These are called network hospitals. If a hospital is not in the network list, you must pay the bill first and file a reimbursement claim later. Always check the list before admission.
3. How often does the cashless hospital list change?
The list can change frequently as hospitals join or leave the network. Insurers update their lists every month or quarterly. Always verify the latest network before a planned surgery or hospitalization. Rely on official websites for accurate updates.
4. What if I choose a non-network hospital during emergency?
You can still get treatment, but it will not be cashless. You must pay the bill first and later submit documents for reimbursement. Some insurers may provide partial approval if the hospital applies for an emergency cashless request, but it is not guaranteed