Star Health strengthens Virtual Doctor Consultations and Home Health Care in Karnataka

Bangalore, 17 July 2026: As Karnataka gears up for the monsoon season, when dengue, malaria, fever and other infectious diseases typically rise, Star Health and Allied Insurance Company Limited (NSE: STARHEALTH; BSE: 543412), one of India’s leading standalone health insurance companies, is stepping up its monsoon healthcare outreach in the state. Star Health’s FY26 Karnataka data shows a 3X increase in Home Health Care utilisation for fever and infectious diseases. Alongside this growth, the company has seen strong demand for its Virtual Doctor Consultation service across the state, with a growing number of customers choosing it as their first point of medical consultation.

Karnataka recorded a 3X increase in Home Health Care utilisation in FY26 compared with FY25. The state saw the highest number of Home Health Care cases for dengue, viral fever and lower respiratory tract infection.

The outreach focuses on early investigation and timely medical advice by connecting policyholders to ‘Talk to Star’ and Home Health Care support, while enabling the general public to access free 24/7 Virtual Doctor Consultations through the Star Health Customer app.

 

Commenting on the initiative, Mr. Aditya Omprakash Biyani, Business Head, Karnataka, Star Health Insurance, said:

“Behind every monsoon infection is a family managing uncertainty, disrupted routines and concern for a loved one. The threefold rise in Home Health Care utilisation in Karnataka during FY26 shows the growing need for timely support that is easier to access, particularly for children, senior citizens and patients who may find hospital visits difficult. Our responsibility goes beyond arranging treatment. We want patients and caregivers to feel informed, supported and confident about the next step in their care. Through ‘Talk to Star’, policyholders can receive guidance on Home Health Care or planned hospitalisation, while the public can access free 24/7 Virtual Doctor Consultations through the Star Health Customer app. Our focus this monsoon is to help people seek advice early, receive appropriate care and recover with less stress and disruption.”

Lower costs and rain-ready care: The case for Home Health Care

Data from the National Statistical Office’s 80th round survey on household health expenditure, released in 2026, highlights the financial burden of illness and hospitalisation on households. Private hospitalisation costs an average of ₹50,573 in rural Karnataka and ₹56,930 in urban Karnataka. Healthcare expenses remain high across the board, leaving many individuals and families to cover these costs out of pocket.

The initiative brings together three timely service interventions for the monsoon season:

• Unlimited teleconsultations for policyholders: Policyholders can access unlimited teleconsultations during the policy period, encouraging timely medical advice at the first sign of fever or infection.
• ‘Talk to Star’ for policyholders: Policyholders can call 7200 222 333 for guided support. Press 1 for Home Health Care and 2 for planned hospitalisation. The service helps customers understand care pathways, cashless processes, network hospital options and documents to keep ready.
• Cashless Home Health Care: For eligible policyholders whose conditions can be managed at home under medical supervision, Star Health covers doctor-prescribed home treatment. This may include professional nursing care, routine blood tests and monitoring, IV fluids and injections delivered at the patient’s home.

Free Virtual Doctor Consultation for the general public:

For non-policyholders and members of the general public, access is available through the Star Health Customer app, where users can book a free 24/7 Virtual Doctor Consultation for common monsoon symptoms.

To access the service, users can:

1. Download the Star Health Customer app on a smartphone.
2. Sign up with basic details, including name, email ID and date of birth, to access available health benefits.
3. Open the menu and select ‘Telemedicine’ within the app.
4. Book a free online consultation with experienced doctors across relevant specialties.

As part of the outreach, Star Health is encouraging households across the region, especially those with school-going children and senior citizens, to follow a monsoon-first health protocol: do not ignore persistent fever, seek early medical advice and choose the right access route.