Cashless claim

A cashless claim is a hospital settlement where the insurer pays the hospital directly, so you are not out of pocket for the covered amount. It works only at a hospital in the insurer's network, and it needs pre-authorisation: the hospital sends an estimate, the insurer approves a sum, and treatment proceeds against that approval. Approval covers what the policy covers, so co-payment, sub-limits and non-medical consumables are still yours to pay at discharge. Outside the network you pay first and file a reimbursement claim instead. Check the network list before admission, not during.