HEALTH INSURANCE FOR GIG WORKERS
Andhra Pradesh inks 9 MoUs for Rs 4,100 crore space-defence push
At the 31st CII Partnership Summit in Visakhapatnam on 12-13 November 2026, the Andhra Pradesh Economic Development Board signed nine MoUs covering rocket engines and test beds, satellites, missiles, explosives, aerospace manufacturing, flight training and heliports. Eight of them propose investments totalling Rs 4,100 crore and 6,865 direct jobs on about 1,472 acres in Sri Sathya Sai, Tirupati, Nellore and Visakhapatnam. The ninth is a five-year strategic partnership with Pawan Hans to develop and operate heliports across the State.
Pollution-linked health insurance claims rise 4.3 times in three years: Report
Health insurance claims related to pollution have increased markedly over the last three years. Cardiovascular and respiratory conditions constitute the majority of these claims, significantly affecting working professionals and senior citizens. Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities account for a substantial portion of these claims across India. A seasonal pattern indicates these claims peak during October to March, coinciding with worsening air quality.
Telangana implements gig worker rules, mandates minimum pay, social security benefits
The Telangana government has launched the Telangana Platform-Based Gig Workers Rules, which establish rights for gig workers. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy introduced the legislation during a ceremony with Rahul Gandhi in Hyderabad. The new rules include provisions for social security benefits, minimum remuneration, and protection against arbitrary account deactivation. Shaik Salauddin from the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union emphasized the need for effective implementation of these rights.
Rahul Gandhi calls out ‘fascists’ at Bharat Summit, launches Telangana gig workers’ welfare scheme
Addressing the Bharat Summit 2026 in Hyderabad, Gandhi hit out at what he termed "fascists" in business, academia, and politics, asserting that they tend to scream and refuse to listen while the humble majority remains quieter.
Pollution-linked health insurance claims rise 4.3 times in three years, shows Policybazaar data
Pollution-associated health insurance claims in India rose significantly over the past three years, affecting many individuals. Working professionals aged 31 to 55 years accounted for the majority of these claims. Delhi recorded the highest number of claims, followed by Pune, Bengaluru, and other major cities. During the period studied, the financial impact also increased considerably along with claim amounts.
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Telangana to provide gig workers Rs 5 lakh accident cover, Rs 10 lakh health insurance: Rahul Gandhi
Telangana has announced a new welfare scheme aimed at supporting gig workers in the state. The initiative includes accident insurance amounting to Rs 5 lakh and health insurance of Rs 10 lakh. Workers will receive 1% of each transaction for their deliveries directly into their bank accounts. This payment will be facilitated through a dedicated gig workers' board.
Congress believes in making workers partners, will stand by gig workers: Rahul Gandhi in Hyderabad
Congress and Telangana government have launched the Gig Workers’ Social Security and Welfare Scheme in Hyderabad. Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi emphasized the importance of data rights for gig workers during the event. He noted that workers currently lack access to their work-related information from digital platforms. Additionally, he addressed the challenging working conditions faced by gig workers while promising improvements.
General insurers clock 10.5% premium growth in October
General insurance companies in India saw a 10.5% increase in gross direct premium income in October. Standalone health insurers also reported significant growth, outperforming general insurers in several areas. HDFC ERGO and SBI General led the performance among private insurers with impressive increases in premium income. Public sector insurers like National Insurance also experienced growth, though some faced declines.
Senior citizen's ₹10 lakh health insurance policy cancelled despite disclosing pre-existing disease; here's why he fought and won
A 70-year-old doctor battled Care Health Insurance over the cancellation of his policy, which the insurer claimed was due to undisclosed pre-existing conditions. The Telangana Consumer Commission ultimately ruled in his favor, emphasizing the importance of following cancellation procedures and disclosing medical history accurately. This case highlights the delicate balance between insurer obligations and policyholder transparency.
MeitY flags physical AI data; US data centre woes may help India
Happy Friday! MeitY is examining how home services platforms collect household data to train physical AI models.This and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.
MeitY examines data collection by home services platforms for physical AI training
The consultation comes amid growing interest among AI and robotics developers in first-person video and sensor data, which can help train machines to understand and replicate human actions in real-world environments. Such recordings capture how people perform routine activities, providing training inputs for robots designed to undertake physical tasks.
MeitY probes physical AI data use; Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang resigns
MeitY is reviewing the practice of collecting first-person video and sensor data from gig workers to train physical AI models. This and more in today’s ETtech Top 5.
Senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed proposes 'Trumpcare for All', here's why Abdul El-Sayed offers Trump a chance to put his name on health care plan
In a bold move to gain support from President Trump, Senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed suggests rebranding the Medicare for All plan as "Trumpcare for All." He argues that universal health coverage should take precedence over the plan's title. El-Sayed believes the recent Democratic successes highlight the need for substantial healthcare reform and that Trump's endorsement could be pivotal. This strategy aims to make healthcare accessible for every American.
IRDA's new consultation paper proposes major reforms to improve insurance distribution and reduce complaints
Irda's recent consultation paper aims to restructure insurance distributor commissions to enhance market efficiency and penetration. The report highlights India's low insurance penetration rate compared to global averages and emphasizes improving policy persistency. It suggests restructuring compensation models, linking payouts to ongoing services, and reducing initial commission incentives to curb misselling. This proposed overhaul aims to foster greater trust and improve customer service within the insurance sector.
Spain's first general strike in 14 years brings clashing social and political desires to the fore
Spain recently marked its first general strike in over a decade, driven by millions of workers advocating for essential government responses to housing challenges. Major sectors joined in, causing widespread transportation disruptions and protests across the nation. Activists pushed for decisive reforms including rent regulation and tenant rights. As the political landscape shifts ahead of the elections, the strike's impact may reverberate into government decisions.
Tata AIG rejected ₹30 lakh accidental death claim citing alcohol consumption by the insured pensioner; here’s why family won the case
A family's claim for accidental death insurance was rejected by Tata AIG due to alleged alcohol influence at the time of an accident. However, the Tamil Nadu State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission found significant evidentiary flaws in the insurer's case. The ruling mandated Tata AIG to compensate the family, highlighting the nuances of proving such exclusions in insurance claims.
Federal Benefits Open Season 2027: Check key dates, FEHB premium hike, and VA employee guide
The upcoming open season for the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program, as well as the Federal Flexible Spending Account Program, provides active Federal employees with the opportunity to enroll, modify their plans, or adjust contributions. Notably, an increase in premiums for the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program is anticipated for 2027. Changes made during this period will take effect on January 10, 2027, ensuring comprehensive healthcare access.
Health insurance claims: How the moratorium clause protects you after five years
Cutting through money jargon, one topic at a time. This week, Preeti Kulkarni explains how the moratorium clause in health insurance protects policyholders against arbitrary claim rejections. The moratorium period is calculated based on the number of years of continuous coverage. So, if you port your policy to another insurer, the moratorium clock does not get reset -- you do not lose the benefit of the period already served.
Group health insurance claims: 5 common claim deductions and disputes employees should know about
Most group plans cover pre-existing diseases from day one, and individual employees are not medically underwritten. Barring a few exceptions, disputes are rarely about whether a claim is admissible. They are mostly about deductions.
Healthcare needs stronger partnerships between hospitals and insurers
Aditya Birla Health Insurance CEO and Manipal Hospitals MD-CEO argue that India's healthcare system must move beyond transactional relationships between hospitals and insurers towards patient-centric partnerships. They call for greater clinical coordination, digital integration, transparency and preventive care, with success measured by better health outcomes rather than individual claims or procedures.
'Global insurance cover may help rise medical tourism': Apollo Hospitals' Sangita Reddy
Apollo Hospitals envisions that broadening insurance access for international patients will catalyze the growth of medical tourism in India. The medical travel industry is predicted to swell to about $286.1 billion by 2030, with India's share expected to be around $16.2 billion. The focus on preventive health check-ups is essential for timely detection and holistic wellness. Additionally, artificial intelligence is poised to significantly transform healthcare service delivery and patient interaction.
Oman tightens expat worker recruitment rules from January 2027; agencies must provide insurance, refunds
Effective January 1, 2027, Oman is set to enforce new, tougher rules for hiring expatriate workers, which will necessitate insurance coverage and adherence to recruitment timelines. Recruitment agencies will shoulder increased financial duties, including the possibility of refunds for employers.
Lenskart, Nykaa, PhysicsWallah see Q2 profits surge
New-age companies Nykaa, Lenskart, and PhysicsWallah reported strong numbers for the September quarter. This and more in today’s ETtech Top 5.
Planning robotic surgery? Your health insurer may pay only 50% of the hospital bill: Know what to check
Robotic surgery is increasingly covered by health insurance in India, but not without complications. Despite having a high sum insured, policyholders must navigate sub-limits and exclusions that can significantly reduce payouts. Understanding these nuances before undergoing surgery is crucial to avoid unexpected out-of-pocket expenses when the final bill arrives.
Gig workers may get social security benefits through 2% transaction levy on businesses
The government is considering implementing a 2% transaction-based levy on aggregators to support social security for gig workers. This levy will fund benefits such as insurance, health, and maternity support for over 12 million workers. There is a consensus that this approach ensures fairness among different types of aggregators. The new scheme is expected to be launched in 2027, requiring gig workers to meet specific work criteria.
ETtech Explainer: Food delivery, ride-hailing firms differ on gig worker welfare levy calculation
Food delivery and quick-commerce companies such as Zomato and Swiggy are seeking a levy based on the value of transactions facilitated through their platforms, while cab and bike-taxi aggregators such as Uber and Rapido want it to be calculated on their own turnover rather than the total value of rides facilitated.
Premji's deeptech bets; Razorpay gets IPO nod
Happy Thursday! Premji Invest is stepping up its bets on defence and aerospace manufacturing.This and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.
Centre sets up social security board to frame welfare schemes for gig workers
In a significant move, the Ministry of Labour and Employment has initiated the National Social Security Board, designed to improve welfare for unorganised and gig economy workers. This board will advise on the rollout and supervision of important social security programs. Scheduled to meet three times annually, it will also manage policy discussions and oversee the financial aspects of the Social Security Code.
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