The Association of Medical Consultants (AMC), which represents over 14,000 medical professionals, has raised concerns about the swift approval of a ₹25 lakh cashless treatment claim for Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan after his hospitalization at Lilavati Hospital in Bandra.
The claim, which was processed within hours of submission, has led to accusations of preferential treatment for celebrities. In response, the AMC has called for an investigation by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), reported Hindustan Times.
In a letter to the IRDAI, the AMC criticized the rapid processing of the claim, noting that such quick approvals are unusual for regular policyholders. The association pointed out that high-profile individuals, like celebrities, often receive preferential treatment, leading to inequality in the healthcare insurance system.
Health insurance expert Nikhil Jha shared similar concerns on X (formerly Twitter), emphasizing the disparity in the claim approval process. Jha explained that, for ordinary policyholders, insurers typically require additional documentation—such as an FIR copy in medicolegal cases—before approving claims. In Khan's case, however, the insurance provider waived this requirement and swiftly approved the ₹25 lakh treatment cost.
"The insurance company sanctioned ₹25 lakh within a few hours to Lilavati Hospital for Saif Ali Khan's treatment. Normally, an FIR copy is required in medicolegal cases, but the company waived this and approved the cashless request immediately," Jha wrote in an X post.
The controversy surrounding the ₹25 lakh cashless treatment claim for Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan escalated further when details of his insurance claim were leaked on social media. It was revealed that his family had initially filed a claim for ₹35.95 lakh for his five-day stay at Lilavati Hospital. Niva Bupa, the insurer, confirmed that the claim was being processed, with ₹25 lakh already approved.
In response, the Association of Medical Consultants (AMC) expressed concern in a letter to the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), highlighting how the preferential treatment of high-profile individuals could lead to unfair disparities in healthcare access. "This instance highlights a troubling trend where celebrities and patients with corporate policies receive favorable terms and higher cashless treatment limits, while ordinary citizens struggle with insufficient coverage and low reimbursement rates," the letter stated.
Dr. Sudhir Naik, head of AMC's medico-legal cell, clarified that the association was not opposed to corporate hospitals or celebrities but was advocating for equal treatment for all patients, regardless of their social standing. "We want the same treatment for ordinary patients who go to nursing homes," the Hindustan Times report quoted him as saying.
Saif Ali Khan had been hospitalized following a violent robbery at his Bandra home on January 16, 2025. The actor was stabbed while attempting to intervene in an altercation between an intruder and his maid. The attacker, Mohammad Shariful Islam Shehzad, was arrested three days later after a manhunt. Khan underwent surgery for injuries to his back, neck, and arm, with one wound dangerously close to his spinal cord.
The report further quoted a Niva Bupa spokesperson explaining that treatment costs vary based on factors such as the severity of the patient's condition, the type of procedure, the city, and the hospital. "The same treatment would cost differently in different hospitals. Moreover, even within the same hospital, the treatment cost would vary depending on the type of room the customer has opted for," the spokesperson stated.
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