In the present era, when new and improved therapies are revolutionising the healthcare industry, healthcare has become rather expensive. It is now very difficult for people with lower and mid incomes to afford high-quality healthcare during a medical emergency because the cost of treatments, medications, and hospitalisation has climbed significantly.
Every person has a basic need for healthcare. Hence the Indian government has introduced various health insurance programmes to meet this need.
The government supports many of these health programmes and offers group health insurance. People can thereby obtain coverage without having to pay a premium. On the other hand, some programmes just require a small and manageable premium payment in order to provide coverage.
All of the government health insurance programmes were created to give the less fortunate access to cheap healthcare. Let's examine the many forms of public health programmes that India offers.
1) Ayushman Bharat: The National Health Policy's suggestions led to the creation of this programme. The Universal Health Coverage (UHC) initiative is taken into consideration when designing the Ayushman Bharat Yojana. Ayushman Bharat aspires to make India's fragmented health services comprehensive. It is important to consider the health industry as a whole and ensure that Indians receive consistent care.
Health and Wellness Centers (HWC) and Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) are two elements that makeup Ayushman Bharat. To guarantee that individuals receive better healthcare, 150000 HWCs have been established.
Earlier programmes like Sub Centers and Primary Health Centers have been turned into these HWCs. An affordable health insurance programme is called PM-JAY. It provides a yearly health benefit of Rs. 5 lakhs per family, with a payable premium of Rs.30.
2) Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana: A personal accident microinsurance programme is known as the Aam Admi Bima Yojana. AABY includes those working in the 45 occupational groups specified by the programme as well as rural households without land ownership. The following are the characteristics of the plan:
- There is only one family member who is protected. That family member ought to either be the leader of the household or a wage earner.
- Government funds are used to pay the premium.
- The programme's age range is 18 to 59 years.
- 30,000 INR is paid as a benefit in the event of natural death. There is a payment of INR 75,000 in the event of accidental death or total and permanent disability. If a permanent partial disability results from an accident, the payment is reduced to INR 37,500.
- Children's scholarships with a monthly payment of INR 100 are another accessible extra perk.
- Currently, only LIC is offering the programme.
3) Rashtriya Swasthiya Bima Yojana (RSBY): Families classified as BPL (Below Poverty Line) families are given access to health insurance through the RSBY programme. The scheme has the following characteristics:
- A maximum of INR 30,000 is provided as hospital bill coverage.
- Pre-existing conditions are protected right away.
- The admission age is not constrained.
- Including oneself, one's spouse, and three dependent family members, a maximum of five family members may be insured.
- The registration fee for a covered household is merely INR 30. The Government pays the premium.
4) Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana (AABY): For those who work in particular professions like carpentry, fishing, handloom weaving, etc., there is a programme called the Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana (AABY). There are 48 such established professions. AABY and Janashree Bima Yojana (JBY) were two previous initiatives of a similar nature. After 2013, JBY and AABY combined.
A Rs. 200 annual premium is required for Rs. 30000 insurance coverage. The qualifying requirements for this policy are that you must be a family head or a family member who supports your family financially (around the poverty line) and work one of the 48 stated vocations.
5) Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS): The programme serves Central Government employees, retirees, and dependents. In 71 Indian cities, CGHS is accessible. The scope of coverage is extensive and covers hospitalisation, in-home care, consultation services, health education, etc. The programme includes coverage for both allopathic and AYUSH treatments.
6) Awaz Health Insurance Scheme: This is a migrant worker health insurance programme started by the Kerala government. Additionally, it provides workers with insurance against accidental death. The program, which has 5 lakh interstate migrant workers who were employed in Kerala as of 2017, was introduced in 2017. Awaz Health Insurance offers health insurance coverage of Rs. 15000 and death insurance coverage of Rs. 2 lahks.
7) Employees’ State Insurance Scheme: After India gained freedom, a large number of people worked in factories. There were both injuries and deaths as a result of the working conditions. This was when the idea of insurance came in handy. In order to provide financial protection for insured workers and employees in the event of illness, incapacity, or death, the Employees' State Insurance Scheme was established in 1952.
Only Kanpur and Delhi were taken into consideration at first, but the plan eventually grew in scope. In 2015, this policy had an overhaul. Currently, this programme includes more than 7 lakh factories.
8) Karunya Arogya Suraksha Paddhati (KASP): In Kerala, the state-sponsored Karunya Arogya Suraksha Paddhati programme was introduced. The programme serves households with an annual income of up to INR 3 lakhs, both below and above the poverty line. For insured patients, cashless services are offered at all government hospitals in Kerala as well as a few private facilities.
Coverage for illnesses related to the kidneys is worth INR 3 lakhs, compared to INR 2 lakhs for illnesses of other types. The government's lifelong programme would cover patients with haemophilia.
9) Mukhyamantri Amrutam Yojana (MAY): For families living below the poverty line, the Gujarat government offers the Mukhyamantri Amrutam Yojana, a medical insurance programme. The programme includes coverage for cardiovascular, neurological, burn, cancer, neonatal, and renal disorders as well as trauma and burn treatments.
10) Yeshasvini Health Insurance Scheme: The Karnataka government introduced the Yeshasvini Cooperative Farmers Health Care Scheme in 2002. Its actual name is that programme. Cooperative farmers in the State of Karnataka are covered by the program, which also provides them with health insurance. 823 surgical procedures and other medical costs are eligible for coverage.
The programme might provide coverage to farmers who are members of the Karnataka Rural Cooperative Society. Covered farms are expected to make contributions to the programme. The contribution amounts for rural and urban Yeshasvini, respectively, are 250 and 710 INR.
All governments work hard to provide their residents with top-notch healthcare. By encouraging health insurance plans in India, ensuring a strong infrastructure, and increasing public awareness of health-related issues, the government takes positive steps to advance the welfare of the people. As a result, the government offers a wide variety of health insurance options to those who live below the poverty level. They can employ these programmes to their advantage and for the sake of their health.
