The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (Rural) in Ahmedabad has mandated The Oriental Insurance Company Ltd to reimburse a Covid-19 treatment claim amounting to Rs 22,862. This decision follows a claim filed by a resident of Ghatlodia, marking a significant ruling in the context of health insurance disputes related to pandemic treatment costs.
The order was passed on Aug 29, 2026, on a complaint filed by Bhikhubhai Patel and Consumer Education and Research Society. Patel had a PNB Oriental Mediclaim Policy with a sum insured of Rs 5 lakh, valid from Aug 6, 2020, to Aug 5, 2021. Patel underwent Covid-19 treatment at home from April 18 to June 14, 2021, and later sought reimbursement of Rs 22,862.
Because hospital beds were unavailable, it relied on a certificate issued by Patel’s doctor, which stated that he was treated at home. The insurer rejected the claim, stating that the treatment amounted to outpatient care. It also argued that Patel had not submitted the proof required for domiciliary treatment under the policy. The commission rejected the insurer’s stand. The bench of president A B Panchal and member DM Soni noted that hospital beds were in short supply during the pandemic.