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In India, healthcare is available, but often too expensive for everyday needs. Families end up postponing doctor visits and tests until the costs spiral out of control. Insurance, for the most part, doesn’t touch the everyday costs. Doctor consultations, tests, or medications can drain families’ finances month after month.
That’s the problem HealthMitra is going after.
HealthMitra was co-founded by Michael Nazareth in India and Patrick D. Kelahan in the US. The company calls itself the country’s first “OPD assurance” platform. Their mission is to reduce the out-of-pocket medical bills that weigh heavily on almost every Indian household.
Michael puts it: “We wanted to bring dignity to those who couldn’t afford basic healthcare. If someone is skipping a doctor’s visit because it costs a thousand rupees, that’s not a choice, it’s a gap.”
The problem everyone faces
Indians pay billions out-of-pocket on healthcare each year. These costs come from everyday needs such as doctor visits, tests, medicines, maternity care, and support for elders. Unlike big hospital bills, these aren’t covered by most insurance policies.
And it’s not just urban families. Tier 2, 3, and 4 towns are equally strained.
We’re talking about 70 crore Indians who face medical expenses regularly. These are not just metro problems. They’re national.
HealthMitra saw this as both a social and business opportunity. If they could lower these costs for families, they could build a product that scales.
How HealthMitra works
Instead of paying directly to doctors or pharmacies, subscribers pay HealthMitra a yearly fee. Once enrolled, they can:
- Get 50% off on any doctor consultation in India (MBBS and above)
- Access 30–50% discounts on diagnostics across 19,000 PIN codes
- Receive 30% off medicines, higher than most online players
- Avail 0% interest medical loans through NBFC partners
- Access free annual checkups, dental cleaning, and eye exams
- Find subsidised elder care support, like trained nurses
The model is simple. Go to any hospital or clinic, upload the bill on HealthMitra, and receive reimbursement within three days.
No matter where you are, from Meghalaya to Tamil Nadu, you can use the product immediately. Buy today, see a doctor in ten minutes, upload the bill, and the money comes back to your wallet.
Why is this approach different?
Insurance traditionally focuses on emergencies (IPD or hospitalisation). But most health expenses in India are outpatient (OPD). HealthMitra flipped the script: cover the small, recurring costs that affect everyone.
Unlimited use: from newborns to centenarians, there’s no cap on doctor visits.
HealthMitra covers pre-existing conditions like diabetes, cancer, and dialysis. Even groups usually excluded from insurance can start using benefits from day one.
Immediate access: no waiting periods, except when bundled with third-party maternity covers.
The company already has 3,500 paying customers. Its distribution network includes 1,700 insurance agents and hospital partners. Stories of customers spending ₹7,000 in subscriptions and saving ₹50,000 a year are not rare.
The founders behind HealthMitra
Michael Nazareth has spent more than 10 years building healthtech startups. He has always focused on customer-first solutions. His co-founder, Patrick, brings deep insurance expertise from the US. Patrick also runs Insurance Elephant. They are a firm that builds and distributes healthcare and financial products worldwide.
The mix of Indian execution and global insurance know-how gives HealthMitra credibility in a complex space.
Michael is candid about challenges, too. Fraudulent bills are a reality in India’s healthcare ecosystem. Today, HealthMitra manually verifies claims. They plan to invest in AI-based fraud detection to cut verification timelines from 3-4 days to near-instant.
Early validation and what’s next
In just over a year, HealthMitra has:
- Reached 3,500 subscribers
- Built a presence across 19,000 PIN codes
- Partnered with hospitals, pharmacies, and NBFCs
- Been incubated at IIT Delhi, opening doors to funding and institutional support
The road ahead includes:
- A tie-up with Ayushman Bharat (NHA) to integrate with national health systems and ASHA workers
- Expansion of their own pharmacy network
- Stronger AI-led systems for fraud prevention and faster reimbursements
For Michael, the vision is clear:
Healthcare should not be about privilege. It should be accessible, preventive, and affordable for every Indian family.
Watch the full episode with Michael Nazareth. It’s a conversation where he discusses his journey, background, and vision for HealthMitra.
HealthMitra is featured in The First Brick series. The series highlights promising early-stage companies.
What are your thoughts on HealthMitra by Michael and Patrick? Tell us in the comments below.
Did you read last week’s article on Katha Ads, an influencer marketing startup by Ishan and Harsh? Read it here.
