In India, the overall health insurance coverage has been low. One of the main reasons why a significant segment of society cannot afford good healthcare is the high poverty rate.
Provide affordable and accessible healthcare to whoever needs it. The government of India launched several health insurance schemes with low premiums that provide a substantial sum insured.
A government health insurance scheme (GHIS) is a medical insurance scheme fund. Sponsored by the government including the state, central, and local levels.
Considering India’s subpar access to healthcare and health insurance, particularly in the country’s rural areas.
The state and central governments have created and supported different health insurance policies. To ensure all citizens have access to the best health insurance in India.
The Best Government Health Insurance Plans:
Below are some of the most important government health insurance schemes. Which have made it possible for millions of Indians to afford top-notch medical care and necessary treatments.
1) Aam Aadmi Bima Yojna:
Established in 2007, this scheme offers benefits to low-income people living in the upcountry and rural areas. The age group criteria is18-59 years and is intend for people who work in 48 listed professions. (for example, handloom weaving, cobblers, carpentry, fishing, etc.).
In exchange for an annual premium of INR 300 the plan offers an insured payout of INR 75,000 upon accidental death and of INR. 30,000 upon natural death. Under this scheme, only the breadwinner or head of the household is insure.
2) Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS):
CGHS, launched in 1954, offers medical care services only to city-dwelling pensioners and central government officials. The insurance plan is one of the oldest government-support health insurance plans. Which has been in place for more than 60 years. The scheme pays policyholders’ hospitalization costs. Along with that, complementary therapies such as homeopathy and Ayurveda are cover under this plan.
3)Ayushman Bharat Scheme-Pradhan Mantri Jan Yojna (PM-JAY):
PM-JAY is a health insurance scheme run by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of the Indian government, and it is design to meet the need of the bottom 40% of the nation’s population.
The plan provides the weak and the needy with INR 5 lakhs worth of medical insurance coverage. There are no limitations on how many family members the plan will cover. This scheme includes coverage for prescription drugs, diagnostic charges, pre-existing condition coverage, medical treatment, hospitalization, and pre-hospitalization costs.
4) Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY):
Launched in 2016 with the intention of enhancing the prevalence of health insurance in the nation, PMSBY provides accident insurance coverage to Indian citizens. This coverage is available to anyone between 18 and 70 years old with a bank account.
This is one government’s best health insurance plans in India. The yearly coverage amounts under this policy are INR 1 lakh for partial disability and INR 2 lakh for total disability and accidental death. The annual cost for this plan is 12 rupees, which gets auto-debit from the bank account.
5) The Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana:
For the benefit of Maharashtrian people near or below the poverty line, the Maharashtra government started this healthcare plan. The plan was target mainly at Maharashtrian farmers.
The insurance plan provides a family benefit of up to INR 1.5 lakh for the treatment of specified illnesses. The remarkable feature of this insurance is that there is no waiting period and that claims can be made immediately unless otherwise specific in the policy term.
6) The Bhamashah Swasthya Bima Yojana (BSBY):
The BSBY scheme is a medical insurance scheme offered to people living in rural areas of Rajasthan. This plan is open to individuals of all ages and includes both inpatient and outpatient costs. Pre-hospitalization expenses are covered for seven days, and post-hospitalization expenses are covered for 15 days.
Additionally, beneficiaries may receive benefits of up to INR 30,000 for ailments and INR. 3 lakh for serious medical conditions. Families are insured by the policy on a floater basis and must pay a set premium each year to take advantage of the coverage benefits.
7) Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY):
The Indian government established the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana to guarantee that those employed in the unorganized sector, such as laborers and workers, have access to a quality healthcare program. Since the majority of unorganized workers lack insurance, therefore in the event of hospitalization, the government would be responsible for all costs.
Unorganized workers are entitled to coverage for hospitalization-related costs up to INR 30,000. The Central Government and the corresponding State Governments each pay a portion of the premium charges. Under this program, there is no upper age requirement for coverage.
8) Universal Health Insurance Scheme (UHIS):
The Indian government started this plan to assist families struggling to make ends meet and give them access to universal healthcare. All family members are offered coverage for medical expenditures.
The plan covers hospitalization, accidents, and disability for qualified individuals between the ages of 5 and 70. UHIS reimburses a total of 50 rupees each day for a maximum of 15 days when the family’s breadwinner is hospitalized.
9) Employees State Insurance Scheme (ESIS):
Thus, in 1952, ESIS was established to provide workers with financial security in the event of disability, illness, or death. Given that it offers socio-economic protection and social security to all Indian employees, ESIS is multifaceted and one of the best health insurance schemes.
Additionally, it offers the same privileges to individuals who rely on the workers covered by this scheme. The cost of joining this healthcare plan is split between the employees and the employers. Employees are free from paying their portion of the premium if their daily wages are less than INR 137.
The Bottom Line:
The Indian government is taking steps to bring all people into the insurance fold by developing government health insurance schemes and assisting those who earn daily earnings and are below the poverty line to obtain basic healthcare. As a result, the government offers a wide variety of health insurance options to those who fall below the poverty level.
