Health insurance not Saif and sound?

The settlement of Saif Ali Khan's insurance claim shows Khan had claimed ₹35,95,700 for his medical treatment while Niva Bupa sanctioned only ₹25 lakh

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The Squirrels Bureau
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The disclosure of actor Saif Ali Khan's health insurance claim document on the microblogging platform X on 22 January ignited a vigorous discussion following the incident where the actor was reportedly assaulted by an intruder at his residence in Bandra.

What the leaked document said

Niva Bupa Health Insurance, an Indian insurance provider established in 2008 and based in Delhi, became the focal point of attention after the document outlining Saif Ali Khan's health insurance claim was circulated on X.

The document indicated that Khan had submitted a claim for ₹35,95,700 for his medical treatment; however, Niva Bupa sanctioned only ₹25 lakh. Additionally, the document contained various details, including the member ID, diagnosis, room category, and anticipated discharge date, which further fueled discussions regarding the management of insurance claims.

Health insurance claim by Saif Ali Khan
Health insurance claim by Saif Ali Khan Photograph: (open source)

Senior journalist Sheela Bhatt said

In a post on X, a user AK Mandhan wrote, “If Saif Ali Khan has taken health insurance, despite having generational wealth, super good income for himself and spouse - what are you thinking? Take health insurance now.”

Another user said that despite having inherited wealth and great income, Saif Ali Khan had to get the health of his family members and himself insured.

Another user noted that health insurance companies did not reimburse hundreds of thousands of common people. If this is resolved this will be a big relief and the biggest gift from the Modi government, he wrote.

 Dr Prashant Mishra, a cardiac surgeon at Tunga Hospital in Malad, emphasized that insurance companies often determine the amounts they will authorize for particular treatments, irrespective of the expenses borne by patients or healthcare facilities. “It's difficult to understand the Health insurance sector. We need to support our senior citizens because most are retired and have no source of earnings or pension. So, Ideally, their Mediclaim premium should be low or fixed. The irony is that Mediclaim premiums for our Senior citizens are very high. Life long tax bharo when you are in job (sic) or active. But when you need more support (in old age) that time premium is exorbitantly high. But who cares for the Middle class because the Middle class is not a vote bank,” Dr Mishra wrote on X.

The event has underscored the notable disparities in the claims processing procedures employed by insurance companies for celebrities in contrast to those for ordinary individuals, prompting inquiries into the unequal treatment and advantages afforded to high-profile figures.

In another post, Dr Mishra wrote, “For small hospitals and common man, Niva Bupa will not sanction more than 5 lakh for such treatment. All 5 star hospitals (sic) are charging exorbitant fees and media claim companies are paying also (sic). Result – premiums are rising and (the) middle class is suffering.”

Health insurance claim by Saif Ali Khan
Saif Ali Khan before being released by the hospital | Photograph: Open source

 

The incident

Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan was assaulted last week by an intruder, subsequently identified as Mohd Shariful Islam Shehzad, a Bangladeshi infiltrator who sneaked into his residence with the intention of theft. In the course of a violent altercation, Saif suffered stab wounds to his thoracic spine and various other parts of his body. He was promptly transported to Lilavati Hospital for urgent medical attention.

Following a surgical procedure, Saif was released from the hospital on Tuesday. Many on social media are looking at the incident as a PR stunt, meant to shore up the prospects of the actor's upcoming movies Jewel Thief — The Red Sun Chapter, Kartavya and/or Race 4, the names of which were mentioned in the last paragraph of almost all reports that covered the affair. The reported incidents do not quite add up, social media users say.

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