Health Insurance Board mandates KYC updates for policy renewal
The Health Insurance Board has made KYC updates mandatory for all family members, leading to a temporary suspension of digital renewal services.
The Health Insurance Board has introduced a mandatory requirement for all health insurance policyholders to update their personal Know Your Customer (KYC) details before they can renew their coverage. This new policy applies to every member within an insured family, according to reports from Gorkhapatra, Ratopati, Nepal News, and Nepal Watch.
Digital renewal services temporarily suspended
As a direct consequence of this new verification requirement, the board has temporarily suspended the ability to renew insurance policies through digital payment platforms. Users of services such as Connect IPS, eSewa, and Khalti will be unable to process direct renewals until the updated verification process is completed. The board has instructed all beneficiaries to visit its official HIB e-portal to review their existing insurance records and submit the required personal information for every family member.
Rationale behind the update
Dr. Subash Pyakurel, chairperson of the Health Insurance Board, stated that this measure is intended to make the insurance program more organized, transparent, and reliable. Speaking to Gorkhapatra, he explained that the process is similar to updating banking credentials. Previously, policyholders often relied on registration assistants to manage their records; however, the new system allows individuals to update their own details and those of their family members directly through the online portal.
According to the board, there are currently 10.9 million people enrolled in the national health insurance program, with approximately 7.6 million having already renewed their policies. Dr. Pyakurel noted that the current database contains records for roughly 1.35 million senior citizens, some of whom may have passed away. Because these records remain unverified, the board faces significant challenges in identifying the actual status of beneficiaries.
By ensuring that all KYC information is current, the board aims to eliminate duplicate entries and maintain more accurate records. Furthermore, Dr. Pyakurel confirmed that the board plans to link these insurance records with the National Identity Card system, which will streamline the verification process and ensure that state-provided social security benefits reach the intended recipients.