Best Corporate Health Insurance for Employees in India
India’s corporate healthcare system is changing fast, but the gaps are still too wide to ignore. Even with growing awareness, 90% of Indians don’t visit doctors regularly, and 59% skip their yearly health check-ups. Healthcare is getting expensive, with over 71% of Indians paying out of pocket and spending up to ₹50,000 a year, thanks to medical inflation rising at 14%. Despite this, insurance coverage is still low. Only 37% of people had health insurance in FY22, and just 39% of full-time employees were covered by their employers.
Group health policies are growing quickly, with a strong CAGR of 18.2% between FY17 and FY22, and they're expected to grow at 16.6% till FY28. Still, less than 5% of companies offer full healthcare support that includes insurance, primary care, and preventive services. Only 30% of employees are actively using the benefits they do get. The numbers speak for themselves. Around 43% of employees say they are dealing with depression and 70% of Indians end up spending their full salary on healthcare.
As health issues rise and costs climb even higher, it’s clear that companies need to step up and offer better, more flexible coverage that goes beyond just basic insurance. In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at some of the best corporate health insurance options available in India. Let's get started.
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| Feature | Aditya Birla Group Activ Health | Kotak Mahindra Group Health Care | National Health Group Mediclaim Policy | Care Group Health Insurance | ManipalCigna ProHealth Group Insurance | Reliance Group Mediclaim Insurance Policy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-existing Conditions (PED) Covered | Pre-existing diseases covered with 48 months of waiting period. Day 1 Cover for chronic diseases such as asthma, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. | Pre-existing diseases covered with 48 months of waiting period | Pre-existing diseases covered with 48 months of waiting period | Pre-existing diseases covered with 36 months of waiting period | Pre-existing diseases covered with 36 months of waiting period | Pre-existing diseases covered with 48 months of waiting period |
| Cashless Facility | 10050+ | 7000+ | 10000+ | 24800+ | 7500+ | 10000+ |
| Pre/Post Hospitalization | Reimbursement for any medical expense incurred before and after hospitalization for a covered illness or injury, up to the specified limits. | 60 Day Pre & 90 Days Post Hospitalization | 30 Day Pre & 60 Days Post Hospitalization | 30 Day Pre & 60 Days Post Hospitalization | Pre & Post Hospitalization covered | |
| Initial Waiting Period | 30 Days Waiting Period | 30 Days Waiting Period | 30 Days Waiting Period | No Initial Waiting Period | 30 Days Waiting Period | 30 Days Waiting Period |
| Premium Range (Approx. Annual) | starting at ₹8,215 | Depends on age, the sum insured, and optional covers | Depends on age, the sum insured, and optional covers | Depends on age, the sum insured, and optional covers | Depends on age, the sum insured, and optional covers | Depends on age, the sum insured, and optional covers |
| Coverage for OPD / Medication | OPD Expenses are covered as a Base Cover | covered | Covered as part of "Other Expenses" related to hospitalization, subject to sub-limits | It is available as Optional Extension | Covered | Covered |
| Claim Settlement % (Overall) | 93.70% | 97% | 91.18% | 92.77% | 89.80% | 95.30% |
| Unique Benefits | HealthReturns™ allowing earning back up to 30% of your premium Healthy Pregnancy Program, Wellmother cover (mother's boarding if child is hospitalized in specific units) Daily cash for choosing a lower category Room Day 1 Cover for chronic diseases such as asthma, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. | A key listed benefit is "Wellness Benefits" which include "Health Check-up and Report evaluation - One Annual Health Check-up" | Coverage for 140+ daycare procedures Ambulance charges Refractive Error correction (>=7.5D) | Maternity cover of up to INR 50,000 New-born baby coverage from Day 1 Refractive error >= 7.5 dioptres are covered (less than 7.5D is excluded) Major Diagnostics (MRI or CT Scan without hospitalization) Comprehensive STD cover | Choice of Daily Cash benefits (Inpatient, ICU, Accidental, Worldwide Emergency, Convalescence, Companion and Chemo & Radiotherapy) Be-spoke Wellness Services, Healthy Living, Condition Management with reward function and more | Cover for all employees and their families Discount in renewal premium for favorable claim experience Option of day-one cover for maternity, pre-existing illness, and for children (if waiver opted) Buffer sum insured can be extended to employees who have exhausted their sum insured |
| Is Portability Available | Yes, portability is available | Yes, portability is available | Yes, portability is available | Yes, portability is available | Yes, portability is available | Yes, portability is available |
| Sum Insured (in ₹) | coverage up to ₹1 crore | The available Sum Insured options listed are 3 lacs/ 4 lacs/ 5 lacs | Available from ₹ 50,000 to ₹ 10 Lakhs | Not explicitly mentioned | ₹ 5000 up to ₹ 1 Crore | Up to ₹ 5 Cr |
| Entry Age | minimum age for adults -18 years, & the maximum age - 55 years. For dependent children, the minimum age - 91 days, & the maximum age - 21 years. | 18 to 55 Years | Minimum Entry Age is 3 Months. Maximum Entry Age is No Limit | 18 years or above | There is no minimum or maximum age for entry in to the policy | Between the ages of 5 and 80 years. |
| Policy Type | Individual and Family Floater | Individual and Family Floater | Individual and Family Floater | Individual and Family Floater | Individual and Family Floater | Individual and Family Floater |
| Policy Tenure | 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years | The Policy Terms and Policy Period are stated as 1 Year | Policy Terms are listed as 1, 2, 3 Years | 1, 2, or 3-year tenure | Policy Term > 1 year maximum up to 5 years | 1 year |
| Refill / Restoration Benefit | Reload of Sum Insured is available as an Optional Cover. Reload is available up to 10%, 50%, or 100% of the Sum Insured | The provided sources do not mention any Refill or Restoration Benefit for the Sum Insured. | Not Covered | Yes, Corporate Buffer available | Yes. | Yes, Corporate Buffer available |
| Room rent | covered | 1% of SI for Normal Rooms and 2% of SI for ICU Rooms | covered. Room Rent per day is payable up to 1% of Sum Insured subject to a maximum of ₹ 10,000 per day | Room rent up to 1% of Sum Insured amount per day. | Covered | Covered |
| Co-payment | The provided sources do not mention any co-payment requirement for this policy. | The provided sources do not mention any co-payment requirement for this policy. | Optional Co-payment is available Options are 5% or 10% on each admissible claim | 15% co-payment if cliam incurred in a hospital outside specified regions. | The provided sources do not mention any co-payment requirement for this policy. | The provided sources do not mention any co-payment requirement for this policy. |
| AYUSH coverage | covered | covered Up to ₹100,000/- | Covered | Covered | Covered | Covered |
| ICU Charges | covered | covered | Covered | Covered | Covered | Covered |
| Donor Expenses | covered | covered | Covered | Not Covered, available as Optional Extension | Covered | Covered |
| Domiciliary Hospitalization | covered | covered | Not Covered | Covered | Covered | |
| Day Care Procedures | covered | covered | Covered | Covered | Covered | Covered |
*Please read the disclaimer at the end of this page before purchasing any of these policies.
Our Top 2 Picks for Best Group Health Insurance in India
If you are an employer looking for the best health insurance option for your employees here are our top 2 picks:
Aditya Birla Group Activ Health
This plan is built for all kinds of organisations, whether you're a small startup or a large corporation. What makes Aditya Birla Group Activ Health stand out is how flexible and wide-ranging it is.
Here’s what it covers:
Additional Highlights:
Unique Wellness Perks:
What to Watch Out For:
Care Group Health Insurance
Care Health Insurance offers a strong, reliable group health plan that focuses on all-round coverage for both employees and their families. If you're looking for something flexible, with quick claims and extensive hospital reach, this plan deserves a look.
What is Corporate Health Insurance?
Corporate health insurance, also known as group health insurance, is a medical insurance policy that you, as an employer, provide to your employees as part of their benefits package. It covers hospitalisation and medical expenses under a single plan for all enrolled employees. In many cases, it can also include coverage for their family members such as spouse, children, or parents, depending on the plan you choose.
This type of insurance is different from individual or family health insurance because it offers uniform coverage to a group rather than tailoring benefits to each person. The premium is usually paid by the employer, and the terms of the policy are decided at the company level.
How is it Different from Individual and Family Health Insurance?
How Does Corporate Health Insurance Work in India?
Here’s how corporate health insurance generally works in India:
1
Enrollment Process for Employees
Once you finalise the policy with the insurer, employees are usually enrolled at the time of joining. You may collect basic personal and family details during onboarding. Some insurers offer a window for mid-year enrolment or adding dependents, with you deciding if the additional cost should be borne by the company or the employee.
2
Coverage Period and Renewal
Corporate health policies typically run for one year. As the employer, you’ll be responsible for renewing the policy annually. The coverage remains valid only as long as the employee is part of your organisation, unless you opt for a post-employment continuation option.
3
Premium Payment Structure
You can choose to either fully fund the policy or share the premium with your employees. In some cases, employers cover only the employee’s base coverage while allowing optional top-ups or dependent cover at the employee’s expense. These extra premiums can be deducted from payroll or collected separately, depending on your arrangement with the insurer.
Types of Groups Covered in Corporate Health Insurance
When setting up a corporate health plan, it’s important to know who exactly can be covered. There are two main types of group structures:
1
Employer-Employee Groups
This is the most common type. It covers your full-time or part-time employees and, in some cases, their immediate family members too.
2
Non-Employer-Employee Groups
These include members who are not your employees in the traditional sense. Think of cooperative societies, associations, or even gig workers linked to your business. Insurance providers do offer plans for such groups, though the eligibility and benefits may vary. If you’re managing a flexible or freelance-heavy team, this is something worth exploring.
Key Benefits of Corporate Health Insurance
As an employer, offering health insurance shows that you care. Here are some clear reasons why it works in your favour:
1
All Round Protection
Most corporate health insurance plans cover not just your employees but sometimes their families too. It brings peace of mind and keeps them focused on work without worrying about medical expenses.
2
Covers Pre-Existing Diseases and Maternity from the Start
Unlike many individual policies, group health insurance often includes pre-existing diseases and maternity cover from day one. This helps employees plan their lives better, especially those with ongoing health concerns or growing families.
3
Access to Cashless Treatment and a Wide Hospital Network
When emergencies strike, the last thing anyone wants is to run around arranging money. With cashless treatment options at network hospitals, your employees can focus on recovery instead of bills. This alone can reduce stress and speed up the healing process.
4
No Need for Medical Tests
Most corporate plans skip the usual pre-policy medical check-ups. This means quicker enrollment and no extra burden on your HR team or your employees. It also ensures that nobody feels left out due to existing health issues.
5
Tax Benefits for You as an Employer
It’s not just your employees who benefit. You get tax advantages too. The premiums you pay on group insurance can be treated as a business expense, helping you save when you file your taxes.
Things You Should Be Aware Of
As helpful as group health insurance is, it does have its limitations. It’s better to know these upfront so you can make informed choices.
1
The Coverage Ends When the Job Ends
Once an employee resigns, retires, or is laid off, their health insurance stops immediately. This can be stressful for them, especially if they don’t have another policy to fall back on. While it’s a part of how group plans work, make sure your employees are informed so they can plan ahead.
2
Limited Personalisation
Corporate plans are built to serve a crowd. This means your employees don’t get to customise their policy according to their unique health needs. For someone who needs specific add-ons or higher coverage, a corporate plan might fall short.
3
Sub-limits and Co-payments
Some policies come with sub-limits on room rent, surgery costs, or treatment types. There might also be co-payment clauses where the employee has to bear a part of the expenses. These small details can cause problems during hospitalisation, so it's important to read the fine print.
Documents Needed to Avail Cashless Facility in Corporate Health Insurance
When you opt for a corporate health insurance plan, the cashless facility makes the claim process easier for your employees. To use this benefit smoothly at network hospitals, certain documents are necessary. Having these ready helps speed up approval and treatment.
Here’s a simple list of what they’ll need for a cashless claim:
That’s it. These documents help the Third-Party Administrator (TPA) process the claim at the network hospital without your employee having to pay upfront.
Documents Needed to Avail Reimbursement in Corporate Health Insurance
Sometimes your employees might end up at a non-network hospital. In such cases, they’ll have to pay the bills first and then get reimbursed later. This process needs a bit more paperwork, and it's good to keep your HR or admin team informed so they can guide employees when needed.
Here’s the list of documents required for a reimbursement claim:
These documents must be submitted to the insurer or TPA within the timeline mentioned in the policy. Missing documents often delay the process, so it's always better to keep a checklist ready.
What is Not Covered in Corporate Health Insurance Plans?
If you're planning to provide corporate health insurance for your employees, it's just as important to understand what isn't covered as it is to know what is. While group health insurance does offer wide coverage, there are a few common exclusions you should be aware of:
1
Cosmetic Treatments Are Not Covered
Any kind of cosmetic or plastic surgery that isn’t medically necessary will usually be excluded from the plan
2
Alternative Treatments May Be Excluded
Unless specifically mentioned, treatments under Ayurveda, Homeopathy, or other non-allopathic systems are often not included.
3
Maternity and Newborn Coverage Limits
Many plans offer maternity benefits, but they often come with caps on coverage or exclude certain maternity-related expenses.
4
OPD Expenses Might Be Left Out
Routine visits to the doctor, dental care, and eye check-ups are generally not covered unless OPD benefits are clearly added to the policy.
5
Exclusion of Self-Inflicted Injuries and Substance Abuse
Health issues caused by self-harm, drug use, or alcohol abuse are typically not covered under most corporate plans.
6
No Coverage for Experimental Treatments
If a treatment or procedure hasn’t been approved by medical authorities, it will not be covered by the insurance provider.
Why Buy Group Health Insurance?
Buying group health insurance for your employees is a smart move for your business. It shows you care about their health and well-being. This coverage helps reduce the financial burden of medical emergencies for your team, which keeps them motivated and focused at work. Plus, group insurance often comes at lower premiums compared to individual plans, making it cost-effective for both you and your employees. It also simplifies management since one policy covers everyone under your company. Offering this benefit sends a strong message that your company values its people.
Who Should Opt for Corporate Health Insurance?
If you’re running a business and have a team working under you, whether it’s five people or five hundred, it’s worth considering a corporate health insurance plan. It doesn’t matter if you’re a startup just getting off the ground, an SME trying to scale up, or a large company with multiple departments. Health insurance adds real value to your workplace.
For startups, offering even a basic group health plan makes your company look more reliable and employee-friendly. It helps you bring in good talent early on and shows that you're serious about building a solid team. You might not be able to match big corporate salaries yet, but benefits like this can make a big difference.
SMEs usually start feeling the need for health insurance when teams grow and managing employee welfare becomes more important. This is also when people start asking about benefits during interviews. Having a plan in place means you're prepared and not losing talent to competitors just because they offer better perks.
Large enterprises usually already offer some kind of group health plan, but upgrading or customising it shows that you’re listening to your employees’ needs. It also helps retain your best people who expect a bit more from where they work.
Here’s how it helps you as an employer:
Here’s how it helps you as an employer:
At the end of the day, if you want to build a team that sticks with you, feels safe, and performs better, offering corporate health insurance is a step in the right direction.
How to Choose the Best Corporate Health Insurance Plan
If you’re planning to get a corporate health insurance policy for your team, don’t just go with the first plan that looks decent. A good plan should actually work for your employees and make things easier for you too. Here's what to look at before making a call.
Disclaimer:
