Moving from group health to individual cover without losing benefits

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Group health insurance from your employer is convenient, cashless and usually cheaper, but it disappears the moment you change jobs or take a break from work. Many employees only realise this when a resignation is already underway. Porting from a group plan to an individual or family floater policy lets you continue protection without gaps, but it needs to be done carefully so you don’t lose waiting-period credits or coverage continuity.

How the porting process actually works

Porting your cover means shifting from the employer’s group policy into a retail plan offered by the same insurer or another insurer. This does not happen automatically—you must apply for porting at least 45 days before the group policy ends. The new insurer will review your past medical history, claims and age before deciding the premium and accepted coverage. Once approved, the new retail plan begins without a break, allowing your existing continuity benefits to move with you.

What benefits you can carry over

The biggest advantage of porting is that you keep the waiting periods you have already completed under your group plan. For example, if you have completed two years under a group policy, those two years count toward the new plan’s waiting periods for pre-existing illnesses and specified diseases. You also retain credit for any time-bound exclusions already served. However, portability doesn’t guarantee identical coverage—the new insurer may offer a similar plan, not an identical one, depending on underwriting rules.

What changes when you move to an individual plan

Retail plans usually have higher premiums, more customisation options and stricter underwriting than group policies. Your new insurer may ask for medical tests, especially if you are older or have made recent claims. Certain add-ons—like maternity cover or low copay options—may not be available to port as-is. You should also expect slightly different room-rent limits, sub-limits or policy wording. This is normal, as retail health plans are priced differently from large employer-funded group plans.

Common mistakes to avoid

Many people wait until after they leave their job to start the process, only to find that the group cover has already lapsed—making portability impossible. Others assume the sum insured will automatically increase when they move, but a higher sum insured is subject to underwriting. Another common error is ignoring the fine print of the new plan and expecting group-like benefits, which are usually broader. Comparing policy wording before signing is essential to avoid disappointment later.

A practical way to approach the switch

Start early: initiate porting at least 45-60 days before you exit your company. Keep digital copies of past group-policy documents and claim summaries ready, as insurers ask for them. Choose a sum insured that realistically fits your medical needs and family size, even if it costs more than your earlier group cover. And once you move to a retail plan, avoid breaks in renewal—continuity is your most valuable asset.

FAQs

Will my entire waiting period be waived when I port from a group plan?

Not waived, but credited. The waiting period you have already completed under your group policy carries over. If your new insurer has a four-year waiting period for a condition and you’ve already completed three years under the group plan, you’ll only serve the remaining one year.

Can I increase my sum insured while porting?

Yes, but the increase is subject to medical underwriting. The insurer may ask for tests, impose a waiting period on the enhanced portion or charge a higher premium. Only the old sum insured (and bonuses) get guaranteed continuity.

What if my employer changes insurers before I port?

As long as you still have active coverage on the date you initiate the request, you can port—even if the group insurer has changed. You will need the latest policy document and proof of continuous coverage.