Cashless Nightmare: Niva Bupa Denies Urgent Claim as Thane Woman Awaits Life-Saving Heart Surgery

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Mumbai: In a harrowing reminder of the growing cracks in India’s health insurance ecosystem, Nickole Fernandes, a former colleague of senior journalist Ravindra Ambekar is living through a nightmare no family should ever face. Her mother, suffering a sudden cardiac emergency, has been advised urgent bypass surgery by doctors at Jupiter Hospital, Thane. The cost? ₹13 lakh. The timeline? Just a couple of days.

But instead of the promised relief from her health insurer, Niva Bupa, the family received a cold response: “Pay first, we’ll reimburse later.”

This, despite holding a ₹20 lakh cashless family health insurance policy.

The woman, who believed she was acting responsibly by securing her family’s future through insurance, is now left grappling with the impossible — arranging ₹13 lakh within 48 hours. The operation is scheduled for Wednesday. The clock is ticking, but the system has failed her.

“This isn’t just a delay — it’s a betrayal,” said Ambekar in a tweet that has gone viral. “They (Nickole Fernandes) trusted the insurance system. Paid every premium. Now they’re left begging in their darkest hour.”

Jupiter Hospital has confirmed the urgency of the surgery, yet the family is caught in a cruel limbo. With no cashless approval, no clarity from Niva Bupa, and no time, the desperation is growing.

This isn’t an isolated case. Consumers across India have long raised red flags about the promises made by insurance companies at the time of selling policies — only to be abandoned when the need arises. “Hassle-free cashless treatment” remains a myth for many.

The incident has sparked outrage online, with social media users tagging @Niva_Bupa and demanding accountability. As calls grow louder, the family clings to one last hope: that someone — a connection, a kind stranger, a responsible official — will intervene in time.

Because while ₹13 lakh might buy a surgery, the real cost of this betrayal is being paid in fear, helplessness, and heartbreak.

If you or someone you know can help, contact TheNews21 or tag @Niva_Bupa to demand action. Every moment matters.

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