Health Insurance Portability in India: How Portable is Your Health Insurance?

This article explains what health insurance portability is, how to port a medical claim policy, and how to upgrade your health coverage. Also, sort out the confusion between port vs buy new health cover in India.

What is Health Insurance Portability?

Health insurance portability in India was introduced in 2011 by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI). Under these regulations, policyholders can transfer their health insurance policy from one organisation to another without losing any benefits.

For instance, if your current policy doesn't cover the health risks you're concerned about, you don't have to settle. You can port to a plan that offers better coverage and more value, according to your needs.

IRDAI Portability Guidelines 2025: What You Should Know

IRDAI has issued guidelines regarding the health policy portability, which covers everything you need to know before switching policies. These portability rules of IRDAI in 2025 are important for a smooth, safe and transparent process for policyholders.

1. You can switch between insurers 
   You can switch your health insurance policy from one insurer to another. This applies to both individual and family floater indemnity-based policies. That means whether it's just you or you and your family on the same plan, you can port!
2. Keep the waiting period credit 
   You can carry forward the waiting period benefit from your last policy. Let's say if you have already served 2 years of your waiting period in the previous policy, you only need to serve the remaining waiting period after porting to the new policy.
3. Portability works at renewal only 
   According to IRDAI, you can only apply for portability at the time of renewal of your existing policy. Applying for the same at least 45 to 60 days before the renewal date is advised to avoid any last-minute hassle. This gives the new insurer enough time to assess your application.
4. You have to apply in writing 
   You'll need to submit your portability request in writing or online, along with the necessary documents. And here's the good part: your current insurer will take care of sharing your policy details and claim history through IRDAI's centralised portal, and that reduces a bit of your struggle.
5. No portability charges 
   Insurers are not allowed to lay any charge or special fee on the portability of the policy. Portability is free of charge. You may be charged a premium based on your age and coverage, but not for the act of porting itself.
6. Underwriting may still apply 
   The new insurer holds the power to decide whether to accept or reject your application. They may evaluate your medical history, claim record and other factors before making any decision. However, if accepted, your policy continuity remains intact.
7. Transparency is not to be compromised 
   Insurers have to clearly mention your portability rights in the policy document and prospectus, so that you know this option exists and can plan accordingly.

Why Port a Health Insurance Policy?

There are several reasons why people choose to port their health insurance instead of sticking to their old policy.

1. Poor Customer Service 
   Use Case: Ritu, a 34-year-old marketing executive, struggled to get her cashless claim processed for her mother's hospitalisation. Despite multiple follow-ups, the insurer delayed authorisations. 
   Frustrated with the lack of support, she switched to a provider known for better customer service and faster claim handling, which gave her greater peace of mind.
2. Higher Premiums without added benefits 
   As premiums rise over time, it's hard for some people to cope with the ever-rising premium rates, which give no major benefits. Porting helps you move to a plan that gives better value for your money, often with improved features and more suitable terms.
3. Inadequate Network Hospitals or Coverage 
   Sometimes, the insurer doesn't have tie-ups in the area where the insured resides. In that case, your policy may not serve its purpose when it matters most. In such cases, porting to a new insurer with a wider network hospitals and more relevant coverage can be a smart move.

How to Port a Mediclaim Policy in India?

Porting is simpler than most people think. It's even simpler with platforms like RenewBuy. Here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Compare Policies 
   Visit the RenewBuy website to explore various health insurance policies in the market that support portability. The website also has filters for age, sum insured, addon-riders, network hospitals, and more that help you compare easily.
2. Apply 45 Days Before Renewal 
   Submit a portability request to the new insurer, preferably at least 45 days before your current policy expires.
3. Fill Proposal Form & Share Documents 
   The documents include: 
   - Previous policy copy 
   - Medical history 
   - ID proof, address proof, and recent medical reports (if required)
4. Underwriting and Approval 
   The new insurer may require medical tests. Upon approval, the new policy begins without a break in coverage.

Challenges in Porting Health Insurance

Portability gives you freedom, but that doesn't mean the process is always as smooth as sailing. A few challenges along the way include:

1. Rejection by the new insurer: If your medical history is complicated or you have pre-existing disease, the new insurance provider might reject your application after reviewing it.
2. Waiting periods on added benefits: Even though your old policy's waiting period after porting is carried forward, any additional coverage or new features (like maternity or critical illness riders) might come with new waiting periods after porting. It's important to clarify this in advance with the new insurer.
3. Different rules from different insurers: Each insurance company follows its own set of procedures. They may ask you to undergo fresh medical tests even for small changes in your policy, which might cause slight inconvenience.

This is where RenewBuy proves to be a game changer.

Why Use RenewBuy for Health Insurance Portability?

RenewBuy significantly simplifies the porting process by offering instant access to plans from India's top insurers. You can:

• Compare over 30+ health insurance plans.
• Use a smart digital interface to filter and shortlist based on personal needs.
• Get personalised guidance from trained POSP (Point of Sale Persons).
• Track your porting request and documentation in one place.

Whether you're a young policyholder or looking to shift to a senior citizen plan, RenewBuy helps reduce paperwork, cut confusion, and helps you choose a suitable plan to meet your needs.