In today’s fast-paced professional world, corporate health insurance has become a standard yet essential benefit for employees. From doctor visits to major hospitalizations, employer-provided health policies offer crucial financial protection — often without the employee having to pay a premium.
But what happens when you resign or switch jobs? In most cases, your corporate health insurance coverage is terminated the moment you leave the company, leaving you vulnerable to unexpected medical expenses. And even if your next employer provides a new group health insurance policy, it might come with limited coverage, often capping at ₹2 lakh, ₹3 lakh, or ₹5 lakh.
So, how can you ensure that you’re never left without health coverage — especially between jobs or during job transitions?
Here’s a smart and lesser-known trick that could save you thousands: Convert your corporate health insurance into a personal health policy.
What Is Corporate to Personal Health Insurance Porting?Most people assume that once they leave their job, their company-provided health insurance ends for good. While that’s true in most cases, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) allows individuals to port their corporate health insurance policy into a personal health plan — provided certain conditions are met.
This means you can transfer the benefits and continuity of your group health policy to an individual plan, usually from the same insurer, and maintain coverage without interruption.
Why This Trick Is UsefulNo Break in Coverage: You avoid the risk of being uninsured during job transitions or employment gaps.
Retention of Waiting Periods: If your corporate policy included waiting periods for pre-existing diseases, those periods are carried forward to your new personal plan. That’s a major advantage, especially for individuals with ongoing health concerns.
Freedom to Customize: With a personal health policy, you can choose your sum insured, add-ons like maternity benefits or critical illness cover, and select your preferred hospital network.
Act Before Exit: You should initiate the porting process before your last working day, or within 30 days of your policy's expiration.
Contact the Insurer: Reach out to your current health insurance provider and request a porting to an individual plan. You can also speak to the HR or insurance helpdesk of your employer for assistance.
Submit Required Documents: This typically includes your ID proof, past claim history, and employment details.
Health Check-Up (Optional): Some insurers might require a medical screening, especially if you are porting to a higher coverage amount or fall within a higher-risk age bracket.
Choose Your Plan & Pay Premium: Once your application is approved, choose your personal health plan and pay the premium. The continuity benefits from your group policy will be retained.
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Not All Insurers Allow Porting from corporate to retail plans. Check with your insurer in advance.
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The coverage amount may differ, so review the features carefully before choosing your new plan.
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You may upgrade your sum insured, but additional waiting periods may apply to the increased portion.
Medical emergencies don’t wait for job security. A health policy lapse, even for a few weeks, could result in denied claims, extra waiting periods, or costly out-of-pocket expenses. With rising healthcare costs, staying covered should be a top financial priority.
By proactively porting your corporate health insurance into a personal plan, you can protect yourself and your family from future uncertainties.
Bottom Line:
Losing a job doesn’t have to mean losing your health insurance. With a simple but strategic step, you can convert your corporate policy into a personal one — and continue to enjoy uninterrupted health coverage no matter where your career takes you.
