Health insurance portability allows you to move from one insurer to another while carrying forward certain continuity benefits. It is intended for policyholders who are unhappy with service, premium increases, network availability, or coverage structure, but still want credit for time already spent in the earlier policy. Portability is especially relevant when you have completed waiting periods and do not want to restart them with a new insurer.
Portability does not mean the new medical insurance insurer must accept your proposal without review. The new insurer can underwrite your application and may ask for medical details, reports, or clarifications.
What Portability Usually Carries Forward
The main benefit of health insurance portability is the carry-forward of waiting period credit, subject to rules and the new insurer’s policy terms. This credit typically helps with pre-existing diseases and certain specific waiting periods that you have already completed in the old policy. To receive this benefit, you must maintain continuous coverage without breaks.
Here is what generally transfers and what typically does not:
| Item | Usually portable? | Notes |
| Waiting period credit for pre-existing diseases | Yes | Credit applies to the period already served, subject to continuous coverage |
| Waiting period credit for specified diseases/procedures | Yes | Applies if the earlier policy had similar waiting period structures |
| No-claim bonus / accumulated bonus | Sometimes | Depends on product design; may convert into revised sum insured or may not be fully matched |
| Add-on covers (maternity, OPD, etc.) | Not automatically | New insurer’s product rules apply; add-ons may require fresh waiting periods |
| Premium rate | No | Premium depends on the new plan, age, location, and underwriting outcome |
If you are moving from a basic mediclaim policy to a more comprehensive product, the portability credit often applies only up to the earlier base sum insured. Any higher sum insured you choose may attract waiting periods for the incremental portion, depending on policy wording.
When Portability Makes Sense
Portability is not required every time you want better features. It is most useful when you have served meaningful waiting periods and want to preserve that continuity while shifting to a plan that fits your current needs.
Common situations where portability may be worth considering:
- Your premium has increased sharply at renewal, and you want to compare alternatives
- You need a wider cashless hospital network in your city or near your workplace
- You want clearer claim processes, faster service, or stronger digital support
- You want to move from a limited cover to broader benefits, such as day care or home treatment
- You are dissatisfied with exclusions or sub-limits that frequently affect reimbursements
When comparing health insurance plans, focus on claim-impacting terms such as room rent rules, disease-wise sub-limits, waiting periods, and co-payment clauses. A lower premium may not be useful if it creates restrictions that reduce payable amounts during hospitalisation.
Portability Timeline and How It Works
Portability is generally linked to renewal, so you should start early. As a practical rule, initiate the request well before the renewal date to allow time for underwriting and document exchange.
A typical timeline looks like this:
| Stage | Recommended timing | What happens |
| Shortlist a new plan | 6-8 weeks before renewal | Compare benefits, exclusions, network hospitals, and premiums |
| Submit portability request | At least 45 days before renewal | Fill the portability form and provide details of existing coverage |
| Insurer seeks history | Within the process window | New insurer uses a shared platform and may request claim and medical details |
| Underwriting decision | Usually, within a few weeks | You may be asked for tests depending on age and health disclosures |
| Policy issuance | Before the existing policy expires | Pay the premium only after approval and ensure continuity |
Do not let your current policy lapse while waiting for a decision. A coverage break can disrupt continuity benefits and complicate the portability request.
What Happens to Waiting Periods After You Switch
Portability credit typically reduces or removes waiting periods already served under the earlier policy, but it does not remove waiting periods that you have not completed. The new policy may also have product-specific waiting periods that apply to everyone, such as an initial waiting period for non-accidental hospitalisation.
Key points to understand:
- If you served 2 out of 3 years of a pre-existing disease waiting period, the remaining 1 year may still apply after portability (subject to acceptance and confirmation)
- If you increase the sum insured, the additional portion may have its own waiting period
- Add-ons or optional covers may restart waiting periods, depending on the new plan’s terms
If your goal is to move to the best health insurance option for your needs, verify the new plan’s waiting period grid carefully. Health insurance portability preserves continuity credit, but it cannot create benefits that the new product does not offer.
Practical Checks Before You Decide to Switch
Portability can disappoint if buyers compare only the premium and headline sum insured. The better approach is to compare claim-relevant rules and what you will actually be able to use.
Before you confirm, review:
- Room rent eligibility and ICU limits (if any)
- Co-payment requirements for certain ages or conditions
- Coverage for day care procedures, domiciliary hospitalisation, and AYUSH (if important)
- Pre- and post-hospitalisation days and payable items
- Cashless network suitability for your preferred hospitals
It also helps to review service capabilities and claim support expectations. For example, you may see insurers such as HDFC ERGO publish information about network access and claims support metrics, which can be useful when you are comparing options, even though final experience depends on case specifics and documentation.
Wrapping Up
Portability works best when you start early, disclose everything, and select a plan based on terms that affect claims rather than marketing highlights. Maintain continuity, keep your paperwork organised, and confirm how waiting period credit will be applied, especially if you are increasing your sum insured or adding optional benefits. With a careful approach, switching can improve coverage experience without losing the time-based advantages you have already earned.
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