Hospital bill: Why did I have to pay this before the insurer stepped in?

I paid my premium on time, so why did I still have to pay ₹50,000 from my pocket during hospitalization?

- Shilpa Arora

This is a very valid concern and one that many policyholders face, especially during the first health insurance claim. It feels confusing—and even unfair—when you've done everything right: paid your premium, maintained your policy, and still find yourself paying a large amount out-of-pocket at a time of stress.

The core of this issue lies in understanding how health insurance policies are structured. While we tend to focus on the sum insured, we often miss reading or understanding deductibles and other limits that affect claim settlement.