Health Insurance Portability: Pros, Cons, and the Step-by-Step Process

Is your health insurance no longer cutting it? Maybe you've spotted a better plan—with smarter features, lower premiums, or smoother service. The good news? You’re not stuck forever. Health insurance portability lets you switch insurers without losing your waiting period credits or moratorium benefits.

Think of it like porting your mobile number—you change providers, but keep your number (and your progress).

However, remember this: you're not moving the same plan to a new insurer. You’ll pick a fresh policy from a fresh insurer, but your past progress comes along.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to port health insurance, so you can make the switch confidently if and when the time’s right.

Heads up: It takes an average person up to 5 hours to read and analyze a policy and 10 hours or more to compare different plans and decide.

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Overview

How to Port Health Insurance

Health insurance portability allows you to switch insurers without losing benefits like waiting period credits or cumulative bonuses, but it comes with one big caveat: you can only port your policy at the time of renewal.

That’s right. Mid-policy porting isn’t allowed. So if you're considering a switch, start the process at least 45–60 days before your current policy expires. This gives both insurers enough time to coordinate and ensures no coverage gap.

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how it works:

Step 1: Notify the New Insurer

Reach out to the insurer you want to switch to and inform them of your intent to port your existing policy. This must be done at least 45 to 60 days before the expiry of your current plan.

Step 2: Submit the Required Documents

You’ll be asked to fill out:

• A proposal form (just like applying for a new policy),
• A portability form,
• Plus, submit supporting documents like:
  • Your existing policy documents,
  • Claim history,
  • Medical records, if any.

Step 3: Application Review & Data Sharing

Once you apply:

• Your old insurer shares your policy and claims history via the IRDAI’s Insurance Information Bureau (IIB) portal—within 7-14 working days.
• The IRDAI portal acts as a bridge between both insurers to ensure smooth data flow.
• Depending on their underwriting rules, the new insurer reviews your documents and may request a medical check-up.

Step 4: Approval & Issuance

If everything checks out:

• The new insurer issues your policy, and all continuity benefits like waiting periods are preserved.
• The old policy need not be renewed anymore.
• There’s no break in coverage and no reset on benefits.

Documents Required for Porting

To make your health insurance portability smooth and hassle-free, keep these documents ready:

1. Previous Policy Documents: It contains the policy number, issue date, coverage details, medical history details, new member or new ailment declaration, endorsement documents, and renewal notice.
2. Claim History: Records of any claims made under your existing policy.
3. Medical Records: Relevant health reports, test results, and medical history (Recent and existing).
4. Identification & Address Proof: Aadhaar card, PAN card, voter ID, or driving license.

Having these handy speeds up the process and helps your new insurer assess your application accurately.

Benefits of Porting Your Policy

Switching your health insurance doesn’t mean losing what you’ve already earned. Here’s how portability works in your favor: 

1) Retain the waiting period credit

When you port, any waiting periods you’ve already served for pre-existing conditions or specific ailments are carried forward. This means you won’t have to wait again to claim those benefits under your new insurer. 

For example:

Suppose your current policy has a 3-year waiting period for your pre-existing diabetes, and you’ve already completed 2 years. If you port your policy to a new insurer, you’ll only need to wait 1 more year, not 3, before diabetes-related claims are eligible. Provided you have clearly declared and the new insurer has accepted this condition.

2) Preserve your No Claim Bonus (NCB)

If you’ve gone claim-free and earned a No Claim Bonus (NCB)—usually an increase in your sum insured—porting allows you to carry that benefit forward. It’s like transferring your loyalty rewards to a new insurer. 

While most insurers won’t carry over the bonus amount directly, if you increase your sum insured while porting, they may waive waiting periods on the increased amount, up to the value of your NCB. 

For example:

Let’s say your current policy has a ₹5 lakh sum insured and you’ve earned a ₹2 lakh NCB (total ₹7 lakh coverage).

If you port to a new insurer and opt for a ₹10 lakh sum insured, the new insurer may waive waiting periods on ₹2 lakh of the increased coverage (matching your earned NCB), while the remaining ₹3 lakh would still be subject to standard waiting periods.

3) Upgrade plan features or sum insured

Portability gives you the chance to move to a plan with better coverage, added benefits, or a higher sum insured that better suits your current needs, without losing continuity. However, keep in mind that waiting periods can only be waived up to the sum insured of your existing policy. Any additional coverage or enhancements will have fresh waiting periods before you can claim on those benefits.

4) Better claim settlement and service

 If you’re looking for smoother claim processes or improved customer support, porting allows you to switch to an insurer with a stronger reputation for service and quicker approvals. 

5) Retain the moratorium period 

The Moratorium Period in health insurance is a special protection that kicks in after you’ve completed 5 continuous years with a policy. Once this period is over, your insurer can’t deny claims just because of honest mistakes or missed medical details at the time of buying, unless they can prove it was fraud. Think of it as a "forgiveness shield" for genuine policyholders. And the good news? If you port your policy to another insurer, the number of years already served under the moratorium period gets carried forward—you don’t have to start over!

Health Insurance Portability Rules

IRDAI rules on timelines, eligibility, and disclosures

1) Timelines

We strongly recommend initiating the portability process 45–60 days before your policy renewal date. While the official IRDAI guideline allows you to apply up to 45 days before expiry, starting early gives you enough buffer for medical underwriting, documentation, and follow-ups. While some insurers might accept porting requests with less than 15 days left, we don’t recommend it. Here's why:

• Insurers need time to evaluate your application, conduct medical underwriting, and make a decision.
• If it's a high-volume month, processing times can stretch longer than usual.
• Porting during the grace period (after expiry) is not allowed, so last-minute delays could leave you unprotected.

Ditto’s Take: If you're already late or facing delays, it’s safer to renew your existing policy for another year and plan portability for the next cycle.

2) Eligibility: Who Can Port vs. Who Should Port

So, who is eligible to port health insurance?

As per IRDAI guidelines, the following people are technically eligible to port their health insurance:

• Individual and family floater policyholders.
• Policies that are active and renewed without a break (within the grace period)
• Portability is allowed only at the time of renewal.

That said, eligibility doesn’t mean automatic acceptance. The new insurer will evaluate your medical history, claim record, and overall risk profile before approving your port request.

While many people qualify, not everyone should go ahead with porting casually. Porting works best for those with stable health and clean claim histories. It's important to assess your situation before making the move. Avoid or reconsider porting if:

• You’re diagnosed with a critical illness like cancer, kidney failure, or heart disease — these are high-risk profiles that are commonly rejected during underwriting.
• You are a senior citizen (typically above 65 or 70 years) — stricter underwriting and fewer plan options may apply.
• You have multiple pre-existing diseases (PEDs) or a complex medical history, which may lead to loadings, exclusions, or rejection.
• You are expected to be hospitalised soon or have a planned treatment — the new insurer might view this as an early claim risk and either reject the proposal or decline coverage for that treatment.

3) Disclosures

You must re-declare all medical details truthfully and to the best of your knowledge, even if you’ve disclosed them to your previous insurer. The new insurer may underwrite the application (ask for tests, apply loadings), but all waiting periods already served will continue with the new policy.

Insurers cannot reject based on age or health without a valid reason

Underwriting and risk management are fundamental principles that guide every insurer’s business. While IRDAI encourages insurers to treat portability applications fairly, insurers must carefully assess the risk profile of each applicant before accepting a request.

Insurers have the right to decline portability applications based on legitimate underwriting criteria, including age, health status, claim history, and pre-existing conditions, if these factors pose a significant risk. Rejections must be supported by clear, documented underwriting reasons aligned with the insurer’s risk appetite and guidelines.

Portability underwriting is often more stringent than fresh policy underwriting because the insurer is assuming risk without having collected premiums over previous years. Therefore, insurers are justified in exercising strict risk evaluation to protect their portfolio.

While insurers must avoid arbitrary discrimination, they are not obligated to accept every application and must prioritize sound risk management to ensure sustainable business practices.

Reasons Porting Requests Get Rejected

While health insurance portability offers great benefits, it’s important to know that not every request gets approved. Understanding common reasons for rejection can help you prepare and avoid surprises during the process.

1. Gaps in documentation: Missing or incomplete documents, like policy papers, claim history, or ID proofs, can cause delays or outright rejection of your portability request.
2. Poor claim history: A history of frequent or large claims might raise red flags with the new insurer, making them hesitant to accept your porting application.
3. Non-compatible plan features or categories: Health insurance portability is only allowed between compatible plan types. Your porting request may be rejected if the new plan doesn't align with your current policy category. For instance, you can't port between group and retail policies, though group-to-individual migration within the same insurer is allowed (subject to approval). Porting between base policies and super top-up plans isn’t permitted, as they serve different purposes. Similarly, switching from a comprehensive plan to a specialised or disease-specific policy (like cancer-only or cardiac plans) is typically not allowed unless the new insurer explicitly permits it.
4. Gaps in policy renewal or late requests: Porting must be initiated before your current policy expires. Delays or lapses between policies can lead to rejection, as insurers require continuous coverage.

By being thorough with your documents, keeping your policy active, and choosing compatible plans, you can increase your chances of a smooth and successful portability experience.

Common Reasons to Port

People don’t just port their health insurance out of frustration—sometimes, it’s simply the smarter move. Here are some of the most common reasons why policyholders choose to make the switch.

1) Unsatisfactory service

Frequent delays in claim settlement, unresponsive customer care, or a poor support experience can push people to explore better insurers who offer smoother service and faster resolutions.

2) High premiums

If your premiums have been rising year after year without significant improvements in coverage, porting to a more cost-effective plan with similar or better benefits can help you save in the long run.

3) Inadequate coverage or exclusions

Sometimes the policy you bought years ago no longer fits your needs. Maybe it has too many exclusions or doesn’t cover the treatments you now require. Portability allows you to upgrade to a plan that aligns with your health needs.

4) Better options are available elsewhere

From wider hospital networks to value-added benefits like wellness programs and free health check-ups, there’s often something better on the market, and porting gives you the flexibility to grab it.

Porting isn’t just a backup plan—it’s a way to take control of your health insurance and find coverage that truly matches your needs.

Disadvantages of Health Insurance Portability

While portability offers flexibility and continuity, there are a few ground rules and trade-offs to keep in mind. Here’s what you should know before making the switch.

1) Porting is only allowed at renewal

You can only port your health insurance policy at the time of renewal. Mid-term switches aren’t allowed, so you’ll need to plan ahead and notify the new insurer at least 45–60 days before your renewal date.

2) Must port to similar policy types

You can’t jump from a basic individual plan to a comprehensive super top-up or critical illness plan while porting. The new policy must be similar in nature, like-for-like in terms of coverage type (e.g., individual to individual or floater to floater, some even allow individual to floater porting).

3) Possible underwriting

Even though your continuity benefits carry forward, the new insurer will still evaluate your health status. Based on their underwriting guidelines, they may ask for medical tests or impose conditions, exclusions, or even deny the request in some cases.

4) Possibility of premium hikes

Your new plan might come with improved benefits or broader coverage, but that could also mean a higher premium. Insurers may price the plan based on your age, health, and chosen features.

5) Unavailability of Varied Options

Many insurers restrict the plans available for porting. Their flagship or latest-generation products may be kept exclusive for fresh buyers. In such cases, you may only be offered access to a limited set of legacy or mass-market plans when porting.

Portability gives you more control, but it’s not a free pass. Understanding the fine print ensures you’re prepared for the switch—and all the checks that come with it.

Things to Keep in Mind

Porting your health insurance is a valuable option—but it's not one to be taken lightly. While the process allows you to retain key benefits like waiting period credits and moratorium continuity, it also comes with caveats and limitations. Portability should be used strategically, not impulsively. Here’s what we recommend:

1. Evaluate Claim Settlement Track Record and other metrics

Before switching, check the claim settlement and incurred claims ratio, complaints volume of the new insurer. While a lower premium might catch your attention, what truly matters is how reliably the insurer honours claims.

2. Compare Features, Not Just Prices

Always look beyond the cost. Examine: room rent limits, co-payments,  disease-wise sub-limits, exclusions, waiting periods, and day care/domiciliary coverage. A line-by-line comparison between your current and prospective plans can reveal crucial differences that directly affect your future claims.

3. Insurers Are Cautious With Porting Cases

Porting a policy means the new insurer takes on risks they didn’t originally underwrite, like your medical history or undisclosed conditions. As a result, insurers are often stricter while assessing porting requests and may be less willing to accept them, especially if there are existing conditions or recent claims.

4. Make the Right Choice at the Time of Purchase

Because porting isn’t guaranteed and insurers may decline or impose terms, it's crucial to choose the right policy from the start. Get proper advice, understand your long-term needs, and don’t buy purely based on the lowest premium.

5. Don’t Port Just to Save a Few Rupees

Switching plans solely for a small cost saving can backfire. A cheaper plan may have weaker features or a poorer claims experience. Focus on overall value and coverage stability.

6. A Stable Relationship With One Insurer Has Benefits

Building a consistent claim history with one insurer can work in your favour during complex claims or disputes. Frequent switching may weaken that continuity and lead to additional scrutiny.

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Conclusion

Porting your health insurance isn’t just about switching plans—it’s about upgrading your protection without losing the benefits you’ve earned. If your current policy feels outdated, overpriced, or underwhelming, portability allows you to move to a better option with another insurer at renewal time, without restarting waiting periods or losing your moratorium period served.

But what if you want to switch plans within the same insurer? That’s where migration comes in. Unlike portability, which happens across insurers, migration allows you to move from one policy to another (say, from an individual to a floater plan, or from a basic to a more comprehensive variant) within the same company, while preserving continuity benefits. Migration can be helpful if you're happy with your insurer’s service but need better coverage or features.

Remember to start early—ideally 45–60 days before renewal—whether you're porting or migrating. Compare policies carefully, check for exclusions, and ensure the new plan fits your needs. You can make the switch seamlessly and smartly with the right timing and clarity.