'Have health-care watchdog or let us regulate it,' says Irdai member

The insurance regulator is keeping an eye on hikes in premiums, said Alamelu T L, member (non-life), Irdai

The health insurance segment may be regulated by the insurance regulator, but the health care market is devoid of any such authority, resulting in people sometimes bearing the brunt of exorbitant hospital bills.

There should either be a separate regulator for the health care segment or the insurance regulator — Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (Irdai) of India — be allowed to regulate it, said Alamelu T L, member (non-life), Irdai.

“It’s our wish there be a health care regulator, or we be allowed to regulate hospitals as well,” said Alamelu at a Confederation of Indian Industry event.

“We are