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Healthcare

Health card launched for Indian expatriates

By Amelia Kwok | 2 December 2008

In India, a prepaid healthcare card has been launched to provide access to health services for Non-resident Indians’ (NRIs) families, through a network of healthcare providers.

Currently, about 30 million Indians live abroad. According to a recent World Bank report, India is the top recipient of migrant remittances in 2007, receiving US$535 million.

However, only five per cent of the NRI remittances go towards healthcare-related costs.

“India Health Card (IHC) is a result of our vision for the healthcare industry in India. Our research has demonstrated a need for innovative healthcare payment solutions,” said Ravi Halekote, founder CEO at the IHC.

“With a management team of veteran healthcare professionals and an established network of providers, we are delighted to launch the IHC and help make healthcare more affordable and convenient to the families of NRIs in India,” added Halekote.

The IHC functions like a debit card. The NRIs are required to topup the card through the internet and then use it to receive healthcare services from healthcare providers in India.

If a patient’s healthcare provider is not a part of the IHC network, IHC will contact the concerned provider and explain the zero-fee registration process. The patients will also receive services at a discounted rate by using the card.

The IHC can be purchased online and mailed to the families’ of NRIs residing in India.

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