New Delhi, April 16 -- For many who've had the misfortune of having to invoke health-insurance coverage, the difficulty of it is what stays embedded in memory. Don't get us wrong. The concept, in itself, is excellent. But the process of getting claims met and the suspense over what part may have to be paid from one's own pocket are sources of anxiety in need of relief, especially when it adds to the distress of a medical crisis in the family.

So, it counts as good news that India's government is taking further steps to ease the formalities. As reported by Mint, it plans to make it mandatory for health insurers to approve valid cashless treatment requests within an hour and final claim settlement requests within three. The latter should h...