Indian Health Insurers Lag China in Customisation Support: Report
Around 50 per cent of insurers in India offer customised support for companies with over 1,000 employees — far lower than the 92 per cent reported in China
Nearly 50 per cent of insurers in India offer customised health insurance solutions for organisations with more than 1,000 employees — significantly lower than the 92 per cent reported in China — according to a new report released on Monday by Aon.
The report highlights that while India’s health insurance sector is undergoing rapid digital transformation and expanding its coverage footprint, it continues to face challenges related to awareness, standardisation and affordability. Compared with other countries in the region, India has made notable progress in digitising services and widening access, but gaps remain in delivering consistent, measurable outcomes and improving overall employee satisfaction.
According to the findings, insurers are broadening the scope of health and wellbeing services, yet many struggle to demonstrate clear financial or health-related impact. Employers are increasingly demanding customised plans and value-added services, especially as workforce expectations around healthcare benefits evolve.
“India’s health insurance market is at a pivotal moment, with rising expectations from employers and employees alike,” said Susan Fanning, Head of APAC Wellbeing Solutions at Aon. She emphasised that insurers need to innovate, tailor offerings and build stronger partnerships to balance improved health outcomes with cost management.
Telehealth services have seen steady growth across the sector. About 83 per cent of surveyed insurers now provide services such as general practitioner consultations, chronic disease management, e-prescriptions and medication delivery. However, despite wider adoption, the financial benefits remain limited. Only around one-third of insurers reported measurable cost savings on outpatient claims, with reductions ranging between 1.1 per cent and 1.5 per cent.
Engagement levels show mixed trends. While overall utilisation remains moderate, 40 per cent of insurers reported engagement rates exceeding 30 per cent. Additionally, 60 per cent recorded usage growth of six to 10 per cent between 2022 and 2024. The report suggests that better integration with broader wellbeing initiatives and improved client education could enhance the value derived from telehealth investments.
Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) are also becoming more widely available, with 67 per cent of insurers offering services through phone, online platforms and mobile apps in multiple languages, including English and Hindi, and in some cases regional languages. However, utilisation rates vary sharply — from as low as one per cent to as high as 50 per cent. Growth in EAP usage between 2022 and 2024 ranged from six per cent to 40 per cent.
The report concludes that although mental health and wellbeing support is expanding in India, deeper localisation, stronger integration with overall health strategies and improved awareness are essential to drive sustained engagement and measurable impact.
With Inputs From IANS
Khushi Chittoria joined Medical Dialogues in 2025 as a Media and Editorial Intern. She holds a degree in Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication from IP University and has completed certifications in content writing. She has a strong interest in anchoring, content writing, and editing. At Medical Dialogues, Khushi works in the editorial department, web stories and anchoring.