Difference between Group Insurance and Employee State Insurance

Employee State Insurance often referred to as ESI, serves as a program designed to assist employees in managing their medical expenses. ESIC, or Employees' State Insurance Corporation, is the governing body overseeing this initiative, operating under the purview of the Ministry of Labour and Employment. ESI Act The ESI Act of 1948, implemented by ESIC, aims to provide certain benefits to employees in situations such as sickness, maternity, and employment-related injuries. It also addresses various related matters.

Read more
Tailored health plans, dedicated expertise - the perfect match for your organization's well-being
Customized plans

Affordable prices

24X7 Support

Dedicated claims manager

Total Care

All round wellness benefits

Fast-track your search with instant quotes from prominent insurers
₹1 Lakh cover starting at
₹110/month/employee+
No medical test required
Zero waiting period
Paperless claims
secure-icon We don't spam
Get Updates on WhatsApp

Whom do you want to insure?

  • Employee, spouse & kids

  • Employee only

Wellness At Work

Benefits of group health insurance

How ESI Operates

Registration

Entities, including factories and establishments, seeking to offer ESI benefits must undergo registration under the ESI Act. This can be completed through the online portal www.esic.in. Registration necessitates the submission of organizational and employee details, PAN information, state of operation, and more. Compliance with registration is obligatory, as stipulated in Section 2A of the ESI Act, to access ESI benefits.

Contribution

The ESI program is funded through contributions from both employers and employees, which are based on a fixed percentage of their monthly wages. Employers contribute 3.25%, while employees contribute 0.75% of their wages. Additionally, State Governments bear 1/8th of the cost of Medical Benefits.

Employers enjoy an exemption from paying their share for employees with disabilities, fostering increased employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

Benefits under ESI

Benefits Provided by ESI Act Employees and their dependents receive a "pehchan card," serving as an identity card to facilitate verification and access to benefits and treatment at network hospitals. ESI offers a wide array of benefits to employees and their dependents, some of which are highlighted below:

  • Medical Benefit: Commences from the first day of insurable employment, providing comprehensive medical coverage and clinical investigations.
  • Sickness Benefit under ESI Act: Accessible after contributing for at least 78 days, it offers 70% of the average daily wages when employees are absent from work due to sickness.
  • Temporary and Permanent Disablement: Available from day one, this benefit provides 90% of daily wages based on the loss of earning capacity.
  • Maternity Benefits under ESI Act: Requires a minimum contribution of 70 days of wages, granting 100% of the average daily wages for up to 26 weeks for two children.
  • Retirement: Retired employees can continue receiving benefits by paying an annual fee of Rs 120, which covers both themselves and their spouse.

What is Group Insurance?

Group insurance refers to insurance coverage purchased collectively by employers or associations for their employees or members. It encompasses various types of insurance, such as group health insurance, group personal accident insurance, group term life insurance, group travel insurance, and more. Employers typically acquire these insurance policies from insurance companies. The extent of coverage within a group insurance policy depends on the specific policy chosen by the employer.

It's important to note that the insurance industry, including group insurance, is subject to regulation by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI).

Purchasing a Policy

Employers have the flexibility to outline their insurance needs and acquire a policy tailored to those requirements. They can determine the sum insured and the specific coverage elements, which may encompass maternity, dental, vision, and more. Based on these specifications, the insurer will provide an annual premium amount, payable by the employer to secure coverage for a one-year policy term. 

The organization can choose whether to bear the full premium cost or allocate a portion of it to employees, known as a copayment. In health insurance, copayment involves the employer and employees sharing either equal or varying percentages of the premium.

Advantages of Group Health Insurance

Under a group health insurance policy, employees receive a health insurance ID card bearing a unique policy number, which they can utilize to access healthcare services in hospitals. For instance, if the sum insured is 5 Lakhs, the employee can avail medical expenses coverage up to 5 Lakhs, including cashless and reimbursement options. However, the extent of coverage, inclusions, and exclusions varies among policies and is determined during the underwriting process.

  • Coverage for Pre-Existing Conditions: Group health insurance policies encompass pre-existing diseases, meaning that medical expenses related to conditions employees already have before obtaining coverage from the organization are included in the policy.
  • No Waiting Period: Group health insurance policies typically impose no waiting period.
  • Comprehensive Hospitalization Coverage: All hospitalization expenses, including those associated with conditions like Covid-19, are covered. This coverage extends to both pre-hospitalization and post-hospitalization expenses.

ESI vs. Group Insurance: A Comparative Perspective

While both Employee State Insurance (ESI) and Group Health Insurance (GHI) share the common goal of providing healthcare coverage, they operate on distinct principles. Comparing and declaring one as superior to the other is not straightforward, as each has its unique advantages and disadvantages, both from the employer's and employee's perspectives.

Conclusion

The choice between ESI and Group Health Insurance depends on the specific needs and circumstances of both employers and employees. Each option offers its own set of advantages and drawbacks, making it essential for organizations to carefully evaluate their requirements and priorities before making a decision. Ultimately, the goal is to provide effective healthcare coverage that meets the diverse needs of the workforce.

calcu-img

Group Health Insurance Premium Calculator

Who do you want to insure?

  • Employees
  • Employees & their family
icon

Minimum lives should be 7

  • 1 Lakh
  • 2 Lakh
  • 3 Lakh
  • 4 Lakh
  • 5 Lakh

Include maternity coverage

Premium starts from

(Excluding GST)

Let's find the right plan for you

Speak to our experts to get the right plan for your company's needs

icon Expert advice made easy icon
  • Date
  • Time

When do you want a call back?

  • Today
  • Tomorrow
  • 09 Nov
  • 10 Nov
  • 11 Nov
  • 12 Nov
  • 13 Nov

What will be the suitable time?

  • 11:00am - 12:00pm
  • 12:00pm - 01:00pm
  • 01:00pm - 02:00pm
  • 02:00pm - 03:00pm
  • 03:00pm - 04:00pm
  • 04:00pm - 05:00pm
  • 05:00pm - 06:00pm

Tell us the number you want us to call on

Your privacy matters. We won't spam you

Call scheduled successfully!

Our experts will reach out to you on 4th June between 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Wellness At Work

Benefits of group health insurance

Disclaimer: Above mentioned insurers are arranged in alphabetical order. Policybazaar.com does not endorse, rate, or recommend any particular insurer or insurance product offered by an insurer.

Now help your friend get Business Insurance

Your referral is greatly appreciated!

Our team will reach out to your friend soon to help with their business insurance requirements.

Unlock free PDF with One last step!

File Download Successfully!

Resolve your doubts about insurance.

Our certified business insurance experts are just a call away.

icon Expert advice made easy icon
  • Date
  • Time

When do you want a call back?

  • Today
  • Tomorrow
  • 09 Nov
  • 10 Nov
  • 11 Nov
  • 12 Nov
  • 13 Nov

What will be the suitable time?

  • 11:00am - 12:00pm
  • 12:00pm - 01:00pm
  • 01:00pm - 02:00pm
  • 02:00pm - 03:00pm
  • 03:00pm - 04:00pm
  • 04:00pm - 05:00pm
  • 05:00pm - 06:00pm

Call scheduled successfully!

Our experts will reach out to you on 4th June between 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Call scheduled successfully

Thank you
Our experts will provide you assistance with your
insurance coverage. Be assured, all your questions
will be answered

Customizable plans from top insurers

starting @ ₹110/employee*

View Quotes
Group Health Insurance Articles
GIPSA stands for General Insurance Public Sector Association.It is a group of four General insurance companies...Read more
28 Apr 2022 by Policybazaar 18984 Views
Extended work hours or working on holidays and weekends have become common in workplaces. Compensatory leave for...Read more
18 Apr 2024 by Policybazaar 2635 Views
Under Section 37(1) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, an organization can apply for tax exemption on the premiums paid...Read more
29 Nov 2022 by Policybazaar 10692 Views
GPA (Group Personal Accident) and GMC (Group Medical Coverage) are two popular types of insurance policies often...Read more
01 Jun 2023 by Policybazaar 10277 Views
The employer-employee insurance scheme is a valuable benefit for businesses, providing financial support to...Read more
05 Oct 2020 by Policybazaar 23514 Views
Postpartum depression is a serious mental health condition...Read more
05 Nov 2024 by Policybazaar 16 Views
In India, mental health issues are on the rise, with studies...Read more
18 Oct 2024 by Policybazaar 78 Views
Mental health issues have become a pressing concern worldwide...Read more
18 Oct 2024 by Policybazaar 63 Views
Startups and tech firms, once symbols of growth, now face...Read more
10 Oct 2024 by Policybazaar 105 Views
Postpartum depression (PPD) affects around 1 in 7 mothers...Read more
09 Oct 2024 by Policybazaar 88 Views
Policybazaar for Business - Group Health Insurance - Customer Reviews
View all
4.4/5
Based on 189 reviews
4.4
out of 5
Based on 189 reviews
38 users
136 users
15 users
0 users
0 users
3.8 April 09, 2023
Mansi
Excellent Support
It was easy to buy insurance from PolicyBazaar website and customer support was also amazing to clear all the doubts.Thankyou. Highly worth it.
Dehradun
4.3 April 01, 2023
Mahesh
Necessary Investment
It is a good and necessary investment. Thanks PB.
Lucknow
4.3 March 24, 2023
Surya
Provides Satisfactory Results
I purchased Group health insurance at policybazaar recently and i am so much satisfied with the plan. The application process was smooth and efficient, making the typically tedious task of getting insurance surprisingly hassle-free.Thanks PB.
Bareilly
3.8 March 16, 2023
Naveen
Helpful In Making Decisions
When it came to selcting the right Group Health Insurance, Policybazaar offered an impressive range of options from reputable insurers. I appreciated the comprehensive details avalable for each policy which helped me to take the better decisions. Thankyou.
Delhi
4.3 March 15, 2023
Rajesh
Increases Clients Expectations
I recently had the pleasure of securing a Group Health Insurance policy throug PolicyBazaar and I must say the Entire process exceeded my expectations! From start to finish, their service werw great. Thankyou.
Delhi
3.8 March 02, 2023
Ravi
Great Experience
I got great deals on PolicyBazaar website. Highly recommend.
Pune
4.3 February 17, 2023
Diljeet
Excellent Purchase
It was a excellent purchase at PolicyBazaaar. Thankyou team.
Coimbatore
4.3 February 04, 2023
Satya
Prompt Services
Policybazaar's efficient claims process was impressive. In case of any medical emergencies, my employees were able to get their claims settled swiftly, allowing them to focus on their health and recovery without worrying about financial aspects.Thankyou
Chennai
4.3 January 22, 2023
Abhishek
Budget Friendly Purchase
Thankyou PolicyBazaar for providing such a great plan at affordable premium rates. It was a budget-freindly purchase.
Delhi
4.3 January 09, 2023
Abhash
Multiple Range Of Benefits
I purchased Group health Insurance which offered me plans with affordable rates Thankyou PB.
Pune