Day Care Centre
What it means, and what it does to a claim.
A registered medical facility set up for day-care treatment, with qualified staff and a supervising medical practitioner, but without in-patient beds.
Why it matters
It matters because a claim can be refused on where treatment happened rather than what it was. A procedure done in a clinic that does not meet this definition may fall outside the policy even though the same procedure in a qualifying centre is covered.
The legal definition
Day Care Centre means any institution established for day care treatment of illness and / or injuries or a medical set-up with a hospital and which has been registered with the local authorities, wherever applicable, and is under the supervision of a registered and qualified medical practitioner and must comply with all minimum criterion as under: a. Has qualified nursing staff under its employment; b. Has qualified medical practitioner/s in charge; c. Has fully equipped operation theatre of its own where surgical procedures are carried out; d. Maintains daily records of patients and will make these accessible to the insurance company's authorized personnel.
Quoted verbatim from an IRDAI-filed policy wording. Definitions are standardised across insurers, but the limits attached to them are not — always read your own policy schedule.
Related terms
- Day Care Treatment — A procedure needing hospital or day-care facilities but taking less than 24 hours.
- Hospitalization — Being admitted to a hospital as an in-patient for at least 24 consecutive hours — except for procedures on the day-care list, which are covered in less.
- Network Provider — A hospital the insurer has a cashless agreement with.
Disclaimer: Figures shown here are compiled from IRDAI annual reports and public grievance disclosures, and from insurer public disclosures and policy wordings. Claim settlement ratios and complaint volumes are three-year averages for FY 2024–26. Premiums are indicative illustrations for the stated profile, not quotes — your actual premium depends on your age, health, city, habits and underwriting. Scores are Myinsurancebro's own assessment. Always read the official policy document and speak to an advisor before buying. Myinsurancebro is an IRDAI-licensed insurance advisor — we do not manufacture or underwrite any insurance product.