Every health insurance company offering cashless insurance has a tie up with a number of hospitals which fall under their PPN (Preferred Provider Network). Cashless facilities can be availed at any hospital falling in the PPN of your insurance company.
To avail these services, the insured is required to fill a form furnishing the details required by the hospitals. This form is shared with TPAs, who depending on the terms of policy, would share the limit of expenses covered under the policy and accordingly issue an authorization or denial letter to the hospital. Denial often happens where the required details are not furnished in the pre-authorization form. If the TPA does not approve your request, an alternative could be to pay the bill and reimburse it later. The hospital starts the treatment after receiving the authorization letter from TPAs. At the time of discharge, insurance company processes the claims up to the admissible limits in coordination with TPAs.