In a significant shift in the health insurance landscape, Outpatient Department (OPD) coverage has seen a substantial increase, according to recent data from PB FinTech . The percentage of health insurance policies offering OPD benefits has more than quadrupled, jumping from 5% three years ago to 22% currently.

Expanding Coverage Beyond Hospitalization

OPD coverage extends the scope of health insurance beyond traditional hospitalization expenses. It now encompasses a range of outpatient services, including:

• Doctor consultations
• Diagnostic tests
• Pharmacy expenses
• Dental treatment
• Preventive check-ups

A notable feature of these OPD claims is that 90% are processed cashlessly, enhancing convenience for policyholders.

Impact on Healthcare Utilization

The inclusion of OPD coverage appears to be influencing healthcare utilization patterns:

• Users with OPD coverage make claims 3-4 times annually
• A 5-10% reduction in hospitalizations has been observed among OPD coverage holders

Demographic Insights

The adoption of OPD coverage varies across age groups and geographical locations:

Geographically, tier-1 cities account for half of all OPD users, with Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Chennai showing the highest uptake.

Breakdown of OPD Claims

The distribution of OPD claims across different services is as follows:

Rise of Tele-consultations

The data also highlights a shift towards digital healthcare, with tele-consultations now representing 45-50% of OPD usage, compared to 50-55% for physical visits.

Increased Sum Insured Limits

OPD sum insured limits have seen an increase, now reaching up to ₹1 lakh. This enhancement makes the coverage more relevant for frequent healthcare needs, potentially reducing out-of-pocket expenses for policyholders.

The surge in OPD coverage within health insurance policies represents a significant evolution in the Indian insurance market, addressing the growing demand for comprehensive healthcare coverage beyond hospitalization.

PB FinTech , the parent company of Policybazaar and Paisabazaar, witnessed a significant block trade on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) today. The transaction involved approximately 200,262 shares of the company, valued at a substantial Rs. 36.10 crores.

Block Deal Details

The block trade was executed at a price of Rs. 1,802.70 per share, reflecting the current market valuation of PB Fintech. This deal represents a notable movement in the company's stock, potentially indicating interest from institutional investors or large stakeholders.

Market Impact

Block deals of this magnitude often attract attention in the financial markets as they can signal shifts in ownership or investor sentiment. While the specific parties involved in this transaction have not been disclosed, such trades are typically executed between institutional investors or high net worth individuals.

About PB Fintech

PB Fintech is renowned for its digital platforms in the insurance and financial services sector. The company operates:

• Policybazaar: A leading insurance aggregator
• Paisabazaar: A significant player in the lending and credit card comparison space

These platforms have played a crucial role in digitalizing and simplifying financial services for Indian consumers.

The substantial value of this block trade underscores the market's interest in PB Fintech's shares and could potentially reflect confidence in the company's business model and growth prospects in the evolving fintech landscape.

Investors and market analysts will likely keep a close watch on PB Fintech's stock performance and any subsequent disclosures that might provide more context to this significant trade.