Yes! If you are leaving your job or your employer is discontinuing your corporate health insurance plan, you can port (convert) your corporate policy into an individual or family plan. The best part? You don’t have to start over—waiting periods served under your corporate policy are transferred, which means pre-existing conditions will continue to be covered under the new policy.

However, the process comes with certain steps, conditions, and limitations. This guide will break down everything you need to know about porting your corporate health policy to a personal plan in the simplest terms.

What Is Health Insurance Portability?

Health insurance portability allows you to:

• Transfer your health insurance policy from one insurer to another

OR

• Convert a group health insurance policy (offered by your employer) into an individual health insurance policy without losing key benefits like waiting period credits for pre-existing diseases.

This means that if you had already served a waiting period for pre-existing conditions (e.g., diabetes, hypertension, asthma, etc.) in your corporate plan, your new personal plan will continue covering them from day one.

Example: If you were covered under your employer’s health policy for 3 years and that policy had a 4-year waiting period for pre-existing conditions, then after porting, your new individual plan will have only 1 more year of waiting left (instead of starting over).

How to Port Your Corporate Health Insurance to an Individual Plan (Step-by-Step Guide)

Step 1: Check If You’re Eligible for Porting

You can convert your group health insurance policy into an individual/family health policy if:

• You are currently covered under an employer-sponsored group health plan
• You apply for portability before leaving your job or within 30 days after exit
• You choose an individual plan from the same insurance provider

You CANNOT port a corporate policy if:

• Your corporate plan has expired and there is a gap in coverage beyond 30 days
• You are switching to an entirely new insurance company (you must first port to an individual plan with the same insurer, then switch insurers later if needed)

Pro Tip: Always start the process at least 30-45 days before your corporate plan ends to avoid complications.

Step 2: Notify Your Insurance Provider

• Send a request to your insurance company (or through your HR department) expressing your interest in converting your group plan into an individual/family plan.
• When to Do This? At least 30-45 days before your corporate coverage ends.
• How to Do This? Some insurers have an official request form, while others accept written requests via email.

Step 3: Choose the Right Individual Health Insurance Plan

When porting your corporate policy, you will be asked to select an individual or family health insurance plan.

Here’s what to compare while choosing:

Coverage Amount – Ensure the sum insured is adequate for your needs.

Premium Cost – Individual plans typically cost more than corporate plans.

Waiting Periods – Make sure the insurer is transferring your waiting period credits.

Add-ons – Check if you can include maternity benefits, OPD cover, or critical illness add-ons.

Important Tip: Corporate policies often have lower coverage, so consider increasing your sum insured when porting to an individual plan.

Step 4: Fill Out the Application Form & Submit Required Documents

Once you've selected a plan, complete the health insurance portability application form provided by the insurer. You will need the following documents:

• Portability request form
• Copy of your existing corporate policy
• Claim history report (issued by your insurer upon request)
• ID proof (Aadhar, PAN, Passport)
• Address proof

Step 5: Undergo a Medical Check-Up (If Required)

Some insurers may require a pre-medical check-up if:

• You are above 45 years old
• You are opting for a higher sum insured
• You have recently diagnosed health conditions

Note: If a medical test is required and reveals a serious pre-existing condition, the insurer can either increase your premium or exclude certain conditions.

Step 6: Pay the Premium & Get Your Policy Issued

Once your documents are approved and your policy is accepted:

• Pay the premium (this is now your responsibility, unlike in a corporate plan where the employer paid for it).
• Receive your new policy documents—check all details, including sum insured and waiting period credits.

Congratulations! You are now covered under an individual plan while retaining the benefits of your previous corporate plan.

Will Pre-Existing Conditions Be Covered?

Yes! If your corporate plan covered your pre-existing conditions, your new individual policy will continue to cover them without restarting the waiting period.

If you had served 2 years out of a 4-year waiting period under your corporate plan, then under your new policy, you’ll only have 2 years left to serve.

Conditions covered include:

• Diabetes, Hypertension, Asthma, Thyroid disorders
• Heart conditions, Cancer, Kidney diseases (if covered under the group plan)

Important: If you had zero waiting period left in your corporate plan, your new individual plan will also cover pre-existing diseases from day one.

Key Benefits of Porting from Corporate to Individual Health Insurance

1. Continuity of Coverage – You don’t lose your existing health insurance.
2. Pre-Existing Disease Coverage – Waiting periods already served will carry forward.
3. Independence from Employer – Your coverage remains intact even after you leave the job.
4. Customizable Coverage – Unlike a corporate policy, you can add features like maternity cover, critical illness riders, etc.

Important Considerations Before Porting

1. Premium Costs May Be Higher – Corporate policies are subsidized by employers, whereas individual plans are fully paid by you.
2. Plan Terms May Differ – You may not get the exact same benefits as your corporate plan
3. Higher Coverage Can Require Medical Check-Up – If you opt for a significantly higher sum insured, you might need to undergo a health screening.
4. No Lapse in Coverage – Ensure that your new policy is issued before your corporate policy expires to retain benefits.

Final Thoughts

If you're leaving your job or losing your corporate health coverage, porting your group insurance to an individual plan is a smart move to ensure uninterrupted coverage.

• Start early (30-45 days before your corporate policy ends)
• Choose wisely (compare individual plans carefully)
• Ensure waiting period benefits are transferred

By following these steps, you can successfully convert your corporate health insurance into a personal plan and continue to enjoy hassle-free health coverage!