Saif Ali Khan's Rs 25 lakh mediclaim approved over 'preferential treatment': Doctors' body

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The Mumbai-based Association of Medical Consultants (AMC) has raised concerns over "preferential treatment to a celebrity" over the approval of actor Saif Ali Khan's Rs 25 lakh medical insurance claim.

The doctors' body, in a letter to the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), criticised the disparity in how insurance claims are processed for celebrities compared to ordinary policyholders.

In a letter addressed to the IRDAI, the AMC, which represents over 14,000 specialist medical practitioners, criticised the disparity in how insurance claims are processed for celebrities compared to ordinary policyholders.

"We are writing to express our concern and dissatisfaction regarding the recent news of Mr. Saif Ali Khan being sanctioned Rs 25 lakh for cashless treatment under his insurance policy, which seems to be preferential treatment compared to the benefits available to the common policyholders," the AMC said in its letter.

The organisation argued that such an incident amounted to a troubling trend of celebrities and high-profile individuals receiving "favourable terms and higher cashless treatment limits" while ordinary citizens grapple with "insufficient coverage and low reimbursement rates".

"Such practices create an unfair disparity and undermine the very principle of equitable healthcare access, which should be the cornerstone of insurance services."

The AMC further said that health insurance should prioritise equality, stating, "Insurance should be a safeguard for all, irrespective of social status. Preferential treatment based on celebrity status creates a two-tier system, which is discriminatory against ordinary policyholders. There is a need for greater transparency in how insurance claims and cashless treatment limits are determined."

In its letter, the AMC urged the IRDAI to take immediate action by investigating the incident and implementing measures to ensure equal treatment for all policyholders.