A private member bill titled ‘The Insurance (Amendment) Bill, 2025’ (herein referred to as “ Bill ”) bearing Bill No. 46 of 2025 was recently introduced in the Winter Session of the Parliament by Smt. Bharti Pardhi, M.P. to amend the Insurance Act, 1938 (herein referred as “ Act ”) with a view to regulate the health insurance of senior citizens in the country. The Bill introduced in the Lok Sabha on December 5, 2025, is still pending for debate and discussion in both the Houses of the Parliament.
The statement of objects and reasons of the proposed Bill are as follows:
- The Bill aims to regulate annual premium increases to ensure affordability and accessibility for individuals on fixed incomes.
- It mandates the Insurers to design financially inclusive plans, ensuring comprehensive coverage for common geriatric conditions and pre-existing diseases with minimal waiting periods.
- The Bill also introduces the right to seamless portability of health insurance policies, allowing senior citizens to switch insurers without losing accrued benefits.
- Further, the Bill seeks to establish a robust monitoring framework through Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (“ IRDAI ”) to promote equity in healthcare access and create public awareness campaigns to educate senior citizens about their rights.
- It also encourages innovation in health insurance policies tailored to senior citizens and bridging the urban-rural healthcare disparities.
- The Bill aims to uphold the dignity and well-being of senior citizens, ensuring healthcare an accessible necessity rather than a financial burden.
The key highlights of the Bill are as follows:
1. Short title and commencement
The Act may be called the Insurance (Amendment) Act, 2025 and shall come in force on such date as the Central Government by notification in Official Gazette appoint.
2. Amendment to Section 2 of the Act
1) Insertion of sub-section 6D as follows:
‘(6D) “health insurance premium” means the amount payable by a policyholder to maintain active health insurance coverage; and’
2) Insertion of sub-section 16D as follows:
‘(16D) “senior citizen” means a male aged sixty years and above and a female aged fifty-eight years and above.’
3) Insertion of new Part IV B
After Part IV A, a new Part IV B shall be inserted providing the Regulation of Health Insurance for Senior Citizens. The newly inserted Part reads as follows:
‘PART IVB
REGULATION OF HEALTH INSURANCE FOR SENIOR CITIZENS
101D. Regulation of Health Insurance for Senior Citizens.
(1) Every insurer shall offer age-sensitive health insurance plans to the senior citizens with graded premiums, taking into account the financial vulnerabilities.
(2) The health insurance plans for senior citizens under sub-section (1) shall include coverage for common geriatric conditions and pre-existing diseases after a waiting period not exceeding one year.
(3) No insurer shall increase health insurance premiums for senior citizens by more than five per cent. every year without prior approval from the Authority.
(4) Every senior citizen shall have the right to port his health insurance policy between insurers without loss of benefits or additional waiting periods.
101E. Monitoring and Compliance by the Authority.
(1) The Authority shall monitor compliance with the provisions of section 101D and may issue guidelines in this behalf.
(2) If any insurer violates the provisions of section 101D, such insurer shall be liable to penalties as prescribed by the Authority.
101F. Insurer involved health insurance business to submit Annual report.
Every insurer involved in health insurance business shall submit annual reports to Authority detailing premium structures, claims processed and measures taken to ensure fairness for senior citizens in such manner as may be prescribed.’
A copy of the proposed Bill is attached herewith for your ready reference.
Source category: Others
Attachments
- The Insurance (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (Amendment of Section 2, Etc.)
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