Consumer Protection Act, 2019-A Big Relief to poor and middle class

• A vendor and housewife get a relief under it in Khammam
• Payment awarded even bearing mental agony
• The Act is a boon to voiceless people

The Consumer Protection Act-2019 is giving a considerable relief to the consumers of health insurance policies as well as buyers of various products. The Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission at district, state and national level are extending the best services to the conumers who are facing troubles in implementing health policies by the companies and in redressing other glitches in dealing with the other products. The Khammam District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has been resolving various consumer cases and protecting the rights of them. It is a big relief to the poor, lower middle class and middle class in rural and semi-urban areas. The Commission solved two interest cases recently. Khammam District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission Chairman V. Lalita and member A. Madhavilatha ruled that health insurance must cover the medical expenses of the consumer/patient under the health insurance policy in two cases.

In the first case, the complainant, Balagam Swaroopa Rani, from Madhira Mandal of Khammam district, stated in the case that she, along with her family members, bought a family health insurance scheme policy for the year 2021 by paying a premium of ₹15,287. She further informed shortly after taking the cashless policy with a limit of ₹ 5.5 lakh, she unfortunately fell ill. Doctors examined her, transferred her to a private hospital in Khammam town, conducted medical tests, and provided treatment.

When she approached the concerned insurance company to pay for the hospital medical expenses as per her health insurance policy, they denied the insurance claim. Initially, she contacted the Insurance Ombudsman. There too, the insurance company delayed paying the medical expenses. She went to the Khammam District Consumer Disputes Reddressal Commission through lawyersTheCommission ruled that the insurance company must pay the complainant the medical expenses of ₹ 71,245/-,₹ 10,000/- for the mental distress caused, and ₹10,000/- for the costs, all within 45 days.

In second case, the complainant, Balagam Jaya Maheshwara Nayakar, a tea stall owner from Madhira Mandal, Khammam District, stated in the case that he had taken a family health insurance plan through Star Health Insurance Company in 2021 by paying a premium of ₹15,287, with a cashless policy limit of ₹5.5 lakh. Unfortunately, shortly after taking the policy, he fell ill with a Corona positive diagnosis. Doctors examined him, transferred him to a private hospital in Khammam town, conducted medical tests, and provided treatment, as stated by the complainant in the case.

When he approached the said insurance company to pay the hospital medical expenses according to his health insurance policy, they rejected the insurance claim. Initially, he approached the Insurance Ombudsman. There too, the insurance company delayed paying the medical expenses. The complainants then approached the Khammam District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission through their advocates.
After examining the case, the Commission ruled that according to the health insurance policy, the insurance must be paid when the victim requires medical treatment. The Khammam District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission ordered that the complainant be paid the medical expenses of ₹94,945, ₹10,000 for the mental agony caused, and ₹10,000 towards costs, all to be paid within 45 days. The two cases argued by associated company led by advocates Vellampalli Narendra Swaroop, Kolikonda Sarath and Thota Ramanjaneyulu. The two cases were registered in the Commission as CC/99/2024 and CC/100/2024.

Ravindra Seshu Amaravadi

Editor, Prime Post

Ravindra Seshu Amaravadi, is a senior journalist with 38 years of experience in Telugu, English news papers and electronic media. He worked in Udayam as a sub-editor and reporter. Later, he was associated with Andhra Pradesh Times, Gemini news, Deccan Chronicle, HMTV and The Hans India. Earlier, he was involved in the research work of All India Kisan Sabha on suicides of cotton farmers. In Deccan Chronicle, he exposed the problems of subabul and chilli farmers and malpractices that took place in various government departments.