How to Port Health Insurance in India | Step-by-Step Guide (2025)

At Ditto Insurance, we often get asked whether switching health insurance is worth the hassle. And here’s the truth: if your current plan isn’t giving you value, you don’t have to stick with it. Porting lets you move to a better insurer without losing the benefits you’ve already earned, like waiting period credits or moratorium protection. But it’s not a casual decision. Done right, it’s one of the smartest ways to upgrade your health insurance in 2025.

If you need help choosing the right policy, feel free to chat with us on WhatsApp or book a call at a convenient time—no spam — just honest insurance advice. 

Overview

Should You Port Your Health Insurance Policy in 2025?

Here’s what a senior health insurance advisor at Ditto Insurance says:

"Porting makes a lot of sense in 2025 if your current plan isn’t serving your needs. Whether that's due to poor service, rising premiums, or limited features, you don’t have to start over just because you’re unhappy. Porting can help you retain waiting period credits while upgrading to a plan that actually works for you. Think of it like porting your mobile number: you change the provider but keep your number. Similarly, you change the insurer but keep your waiting periods and accumulated benefits.”

Here’s when porting could be the smarter move:

• Poor service experience: If your insurer delays claims, lacks responsiveness, or offers poor customer support.
• Rising premiums: When your policy gets more expensive each year without offering better features.
• Limited coverage: If your current plan lacks important benefits or has too many exclusions.
• Better plans in the market: When other insurers offer improved features, wider hospital networks, or better value overall.

What are the Benefits of Porting Your Health Insurance 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 cover amount, porting allows you to carry that benefit forward. It’s like transferring your loyalty rewards to a new insurer. 

Here’s how it works:

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 lakhs 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 allows you to switch to a plan with improved coverage, additional benefits, or a higher sum insured that better suits your current needs without disrupting continuity. However, keep in mind that waiting periods can only be waived up to the sum insured by your existing policy. Any additional coverage or enhancements will have fresh waiting periods before you can claim those benefits.

4) Better claim settlement and service

If you’ve had a tough time with delayed claim approvals, unclear communication, or unresponsive customer support from your current insurer, porting gives you the chance to upgrade. By switching to an insurer known for efficient claims handling and better service standards, you can reduce future hassles and ensure that your claims are processed faster and with more clarity. 

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, and you don’t have to start over.

What are the 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, with a like-for-like 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.

What are the Documents Required for Porting Your Health Insurance Plan in 2025?

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.

Having the paperwork in place is only half the story. Before you decide to switch, you should also understand why porting is even worth considering.

How to Port Health Insurance Plans in 2025? A Step-by-Step Breakdown

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, such as waiting periods, are preserved.
• You need not renew the old policy.
• There’s no break in coverage and no reset on benefits.

Once the policy is approved and issued by the new insurer, you officially complete the porting process. But before you even get to this stage, it helps to prepare in advance. One of the biggest reasons for delays or rejections is missing documentation.

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 port your plan in the next renewal cycle.

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

So, who is eligible for 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).

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.
• If you are a senior citizen (typically above 65 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 hospitalized 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 (request tests and apply loading charges), but all waiting periods already served will continue with the new policy.

Health Insurance Portability Rules: Can Insurers Reject Portability Requests Based on Age or Health, or without a valid reason?

While health insurance portability is a consumer right, approvals are still subject to underwriting. Here’s what you should know before you apply:

• Insurers can reject portability applications, but only with valid underwriting reasons: Factors such as age, health status, prior claims, or existing conditions may lead to rejection, but only if they pose a significant risk and are supported by documented justification.
• Portability underwriting is often more cautious than new policy underwriting: Since insurers didn’t collect past premiums, they evaluate the risk more strictly before accepting a switch.
• Rejections can’t be arbitrary: Insurers must avoid discrimination and adhere to clear, documented underwriting principles that are consistent with their risk management framework.
• What you can do: Before porting, consult with a good health insurance advisor to understand your eligibility, gather past health and claim records, and apply early so you have time to respond if additional documentation or tests are requested.

Things to Keep in Mind When Porting Your Health Insurance Policy in 2025

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 ratio, incurred claims ratio, and complaints volume of the new insurer. While a lower premium might catch your attention, what truly matters is how reliably the insurer honors 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 daycare/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 favor during complex claims or disputes. Frequent switching may weaken that continuity and lead to additional scrutiny.

Can Health Insurance Porting Requests Get Rejected?

While health insurance portability offers excellent 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: Porting is only allowed between similar policy categories. You can’t switch between group and retail policies (unless it's a group-to-individual shift within the same insurer), or between base and super top-up plans. Likewise, moving from a comprehensive policy to a disease-specific one (like cancer-only) usually isn’t allowed unless the new insurer agrees.
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.

Why Should You Port Health Insurance Plans in 2025? 

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.

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Conclusion: Should you port your health insurance in 2025?

If you’re thinking about switching your health insurance this year, here’s what you can do:

• Port if your insurer isn’t meeting expectations.Portability lets you switch to a better plan with a different insurer while keeping your waiting period credits and moratorium status intact.
• Migrate if you want to upgrade within the same insurer.Migration allows you to switch to a different policy with the same insurer, maintaining continuity of benefits. Perfect if you’re happy with the insurer but need better coverage.
• Plan the switch 45–60 days before renewal.Whether porting or migrating, carefully compare policies, check exclusions, and time your application early to ensure a smooth transition.

That said, if your existing plan is already good, porting doesn’t make sense. So, in case you need personalized advice, you can always feel free to book a call with Ditto Insurance, and our health insurance experts will let you know what’s best. And the best part? It’s completely free and unbiased.