New Delhi, Sept. 15 -- A second health insurance policy can prove useful when a hospital bill is significantly higher than the coverage available under the first policy. However, having two policies does not mean a policyholder can seek reimbursement for the same expenses twice.

The claims generally need to be coordinated between the two insurers, with the second policy potentially being used to meet the eligible portion of the bill that remains unpaid after the first claim is settled.

This issue recently came up in an Ask Mint query involving a senior citizen who underwent valve replacement surgery costing Rs.30 lakh. The patient had a Rs.10 lakh personal health insurance policy, while a separate corporate policy provided Rs.20 lakh of...