After undergoing surgery for abnormal uterine bleeding, a woman in Karnataka found herself facing another ordeal when her health insurer reportedly refused to reimburse her hospital bill, arguing that her condition existed before she bought the policy. She had to arrange the money for her treatment herself, despite having insurance cover. A Karnataka Consumer Commission directed the insurer to pay Rs 1.56 lakh.

The Udupi District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission president Sunil T Masaraddi and member Sujata B Koralli were hearing a complaint against a health insurance company and a private bank, alleging wrongful rejection of a health insurance claim despite coverage and seeking reimbursement of Rs 1,26,441 in hospital expenses, Rs 1 lakh in compensation for mental agony and inconvenience, and litigation costs.

“The complainant, after undergoing hospitalisation and surgery, was compelled to arrange funds herself and thereafter pursue the insurer for reimbursement.…