24-hour hospitalisation clause for mediclaim to be interpreted harmoniously: Consumer forum

Delhi Dist Consumer Dispute Commission upholds consumer rights

- AGENCIES

NEW DELHI: The central Delhi District Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission has directed an insurer to reimburse Rs 13,525 as medical expenses to a consumer, and said the clause of a minimum 24 hours' hospitalisation for medical claims is to be "interpreted harmoniously" with facts of a case, including emergency treatment.

As the claim rejection caused mental agony and harassment to the consumer, the United India Insurance Company Ltd also had to pay Rs 5,000 compensation to him, the commission said.

The commission, comprising its president Inder Jeet Singh and member Rashmi Bansal, was hearing the complaint of Raja Harpal Singh, who said that his wife's mediclaim was repudiated by United India Insurance on the grounds that hospitalisation in the case lasted less than 24 hours.