Subhechcha Ganguly 
The Association of Medical Consultants (AMC), which represents over 14,000 healthcare professionals, has expressed concerns about the rapid approval of Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan’s ₹25 lakh insurance claim. The claim, which was processed within hours of submission following his hospitalization at Lilavati Hospital in Bandra, has raised allegations of preferential treatment for celebrities. In response, the AMC has urged the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) to investigate the matter.
In a letter to the IRDAI, the AMC criticized the unusually quick approval, noting that such prompt processing is uncommon for regular policyholders. The association suggested that celebrities and high-profile individuals might receive preferential treatment, which they believe creates systemic inequalities within the healthcare insurance system.
Health insurance expert Nikhil Jha raised concerns on X (formerly Twitter) about the unequal nature of the claim approval process. He pointed out that, typically, insurers require additional documentation, such as an FIR in medicolegal cases, before approving a claim. However, in Saif Ali Khan’s case, the insurance provider waived this requirement and approved ₹25 lakh for his treatment within hours. Jha highlighted this discrepancy in a post on X, stating, “The insurance company sanctioned ₹25 lakh to Lilavati Hospital for Saif Ali Khan’s treatment. Normally, an FIR copy is needed in medicolegal cases, but the insurer waived it and quickly approved the cashless request.”
The controversy grew when details of Khan’s insurance claim were leaked on social media, showing that his family had originally filed a claim for ₹35.95 lakh for his five-day hospitalization. The insurer, Niva Bupa, confirmed that the claim was still being processed, with ₹25 lakh already approved.
In a letter to the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), the AMC raised concerns that the preferential treatment of high-profile individuals like Khan might create an unfair gap in healthcare access. The letter expressed worry that celebrities and those with corporate policies benefit from favorable terms and higher cashless treatment limits, while ordinary citizens face inadequate coverage and low reimbursement rates.
