<span style="color: #222222;">Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has asked Insurance Regulator IRDAI to ensure timely authorisation for cashless treatment of COVID patients. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Ms Sitharaman spoke to IRDAI Chairman SC Khuntia over the reports that some hospitals are denying cashless insurance. In a tweet, she said, in March last year Covid included as a part of comprehensive health insurance and cashless service is available at networked or even temporary hospitals. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The Minister informed that over nine lakh Covid related claims have been settled by insurance companies for 8642 crore rupees so far. She added that even tele-consultations can be covered in it. The Minister said that IRDAI will direct companies to prioritise authorisations and settlements of Covid cases. </span><br />''  <br />