New IRDAI Health Insurance Rules: No Age Limit, 3-Year Waiting Period, Cashless Everywhere

Easier Entry and Shorter Waits

The upper age limit for buying health insurance has been removed, and the maximum waiting period for pre-existing diseases is now three years, down from four.

Moratorium Cut to Five Years

After five years of continuous cover, insurers cannot reject claims on grounds of non-disclosure of pre-existing conditions, except in cases of fraud.

Cashless Everywhere and Faster Settlement

Under the Cashless Everywhere initiative, policyholders can seek cashless treatment at any hospital, even outside the insurer’s network. Insurers must approve final discharge and settle the claim within three hours of the hospital’s request.

AYUSH and Telemedicine

AYUSH treatments are covered up to the full sum insured without sub-limits, and insurers must include online consultations (telemedicine) in cover.

What to Do

Read your policy document and ask your insurer how these changes apply to your plan and renewal date.

Sourced from insurer and aggregator explainers (ICICI Lombard, Niva Bupa, PolicyX), 2026. For information only.