"Providing for data, and how much remains a problem," says Shriraj Deshpande, head, health insurance, Future Generali General Insurance.
Also, providing information would be easier if the policyholder has been with the insurer for long.
But, for someone who may have bought the policy recently, things could be more difficult.
"There is a need to know if all customers should be allowed to port out or should there be criteria for a certain number of years a policyholder should be around," asks a senior executive of Max Bupa Health Insurance
Insurers say Irda has only made amends pertaining to the waiting period for pre-existing diseases. However, there is more to it.
Say an individual has been around with one insurer for three years and decides to port out.
According to the circular, if the new company has a waiting period of four years, the policyholder has to wait only for a year.
"But, the waiting period is meant to mitigate risk. In that case, is the one-year waiting enough or should the previous employer share the risk with the new employer?" said another insurance head.
All health insurance plans have a mandatory waiting period of 30 or 90 days, varying from insurer to insurer. The industry needs to clarity if this waiting will be applicable to ported policies as well.
"Ideally, policyholders should not be allowed to shift from a benefit plan to an indemnity plan. But, we don't know it for sure," says Deshpande.
Also, experts feel there is no clarity about the portability of benefits. For instance, contrary to beliefs, maternity is a benefit not an ailment and, therefore, should not be portable.
There are a number of other issues that needed to be resolved, before one could make portability a reality, said insurers.
According to industry experts, if a policyholder plans to switch to a policy giving a higher sum assured, the increased sum assured should be treated as a fresh policy.