Over time, not only do your personal preferences change, but your health needs evolve too. Your health insurance plan from five years ago might not meet your current healthcare needs, perhaps because your family has grown or it doesn’t cover modern treatment options. In such cases, policy migration in health insurance allows you to switch to another plan, without having to change your insurance company. Let’s find out how migration in health insurance works!
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Migration in health insurance is the process of switching from one plan to another offered by the same insurance company, usually at the time of renewal. It gives policyholders the freedom to move to a more suitable plan, especially when they have outgrown their current one or found another from the same insurer that fits their health needs and budget better. As there is no change in the insurer, upgrading or, in some cases, downgrading the health insurance policy without losing the continuity benefits already accrued, such as waiting periods for pre-existing conditions, becomes possible.
The IRDAI introduced migration in health insurance to ensure that policyholders are not locked into outdated or unsuitable policies, especially out of fear of losing their waiting period benefits.
Migration is typically allowed at the time of policy renewal. But there can be other instances, such as:
When you’re looking to switch to another health insurance plan, you may come across the terms policy migration and policy porting, which can often seem quite similar. The table below shows the key important differences between these two processes.
| Policy Migration | Policy Porting |
| Shifting from one health insurance plan to another within the same insurer | Transferring an existing health insurance policy to another insurer |
| Waiting periods for existing benefits are carried forward | Waiting periods completed are transferred to the new insurer |
| Benefits and coverage may be retained or changed | Continuity of benefits is maintained |
| Can be done during policy renewal or when eligibility changes | Must be initiated 45–60 days before the policy renewal date |
| Allowed by IRDAI but follows insurer-specific internal process | Follows IRDAI regulated process |
| Premium adjusted according to the new plan | Premium changes depend on the new insurer |
Migration in health insurance is a simple process, but it’s important to follow the right steps to enjoy a seamless transition.
Any waiting periods already completed under your previous plan will usually be carried forward, so you don’t lose out on existing benefits.
Completed waiting periods are carried forward and retain existing benefits.
Flexibility to upgrade or downgrade your plan within the same insurance provider.
Migration involves minimal paperwork, making it a simpler process.
Maintain continuity in insurer service and support.
New benefits or higher sum insured may have fresh waiting periods.
Migration involves underwriting and may require medical tests.
Premiums may increase based on the new plan’s features.
Limited to plans offered by the same insurance company.
Health insurance is not a one-size-fits-all product. Policy migration in health insurance offers policyholders the flexibility to ensure their healthcare needs and financial comfort are aligned. Without the hassle of having to change your trusted insurance provider, you can upgrade or even downgrade your plan as you see fit; migration helps make the transition smoother while retaining your key benefits.
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Reviewed by Dr. Harshita Dahiya 
Acko Technology & Services Private Limited
#36/5, Hustlehub One East, Somasandrapalya, 27th Main Rd, Sector 2, HSR Layout, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560102
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