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Updated on Jul 09, 2025 5 min read
Governments worldwide work towards making healthcare accessible to all citizens. This involves designing and launching new government health insurance schemes. Families and individuals with low incomes are the real beneficiaries of these government health insurance schemes. The government of India is known to launch the world’s largest health program, Ayushman Bharat Yojana, also known as Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY).
This article explores government schemes, their benefits, and who is eligible to receive the benefits
The state or the central government backs government health schemes. They’re designed to offer sufficient medical insurance at an affordable cost. Government schemes offer coverage for hospitalisation costs, pharmacy bills, OPD care, surgical costs, etc.
Let us take a look at the various government health schemes available in India.
Government Health Schemes | Government | Sum Insured | Benefits |
Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Yojana (AB-PMJAY) | Central Government | INR 5 L |
|
Central Government Health Insurance Scheme | Central Government | No Limit |
|
Dr YSR Aarogyasri Trust | State Government of Andhra Pradesh | INR 5 L |
|
Awaaz Health Insurance Scheme | Kerala State Government | INR 2 L |
|
Bhamashah Swasthya Bima Yojana | State Government of Rajasthan | INR 3 L |
|
Mukhyamantri Amrutam Yojana | State Government of Gujarat | INR 3 L |
|
Government health insurance is for everyone, individuals and families from all walks of life can benefit from a government health insurance plan. However, the weaker sections of society benefit the most from such health plans.
Scroll further to explore the latest government health insurance.
Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) also known as Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana Scheme is a flagship National Health Protection Scheme funded by the Government of India. The scheme was launched on September-23-2018. This plan offers healthcare coverage to rural families as well as to the economically weaker section.
The PMJAY orAyushman Bharat Yojanaoffers cashless treatment at government hospitals and private hospitals. This scheme covers pre-hospitalization, hospitalization, post-hospitalization, and medication cost of the beneficiary during the treatment. The scheme offers 5 Lakh Health insurance by the government.
The state government of Gujarat launched theMukhyamantri Amrutum Yojana schemeon 4th September 2012. It caters to people falling under the lowest income groups. It is one of the most beneficial Health Insurance Yojnas for low-income families, which provides health insurance to people Below the Poverty Line (BPL) or who come from a lower-income group or a middle-class family. The plan offers the sum assured of up to 3L per family per annum on a family floater basis.
Designed for the welfare of residents of Andhra Pradesh, the Andhra Pradesh Government, and the Dr. YSR Aarogyasri Trust launched four beneficial schemes that offer medical cover to different categories of people.
The schemes offered are theDr. YSR Aarogyasari schemefor the welfare of the poor, the Arogya Raksha Scheme for families above the poverty line, the Working Journalist Health Scheme provides cashless treatment cover for specific procedures, and the Employee Health Scheme providing health cover to the state government employees.
Launched by the Kerala Government in 2007, the Awaz Health Insurance Scheme is a health insurance program designed for migrant workers. It offers coverage to the families of workers who lose their lives due to accidents. The Health Insurance provides Rs.15000 health insurance coverage and Rs.2 lakh death insurance coverage. Any worker between the ages of 18 and 60 is eligible for this coverage.
Commenced in 1954, theCentral Government Health Schemeprovides comprehensive healthcare services to central government officials and pensioners in cities. All dispensary services, including domiciliary care, are available. Furthermore, beneficiaries have the option of being hospitalized if they are ill. On the other hand, if you require an X-ray or laboratory examination, these will be delivered free of charge. The scheme is operational in Kolkata, Mumbai, Lucknow, Delhi, Nagpur, and Pune
Launched by the government of Rajasthan on 13th December 2015. Designed to provide the best healthcare facilities to the economically weaker sections of society, this health insurance scheme offers up to INR 3 lakhs for the treatment of critical illnesses.
The citizens of Rajasthan are covered against 1715 listed ailments and are eligible for treatments including nephrology, neurology, and psychiatry.
CM Comprehensive Health Schemeis a health insurance product launched by the Tamil Nadu government on July 23, 2009, also known as Amma Health Insurance. The plan has been operating under the administration of United Health Insurance from January 2022 until 2027.
This health insurance plan aims to provide high-quality medical care services to the citizens of the state by offering quality treatments, a generous sum insured, and more.
A large population makes up the workforce in Indian factories. The Employees State Insurance Corporation created theESIC schemeto protect employees from the effects of sickness, maternity, illnesses, accidents, or deaths caused by work-related injuries, as well as to cover medical expenses for insured individuals and their families.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched theUniversal Health Insurance Schemeacross India for individuals and families living below the poverty line and above the poverty line in July 2003. The main goal of this scheme is to offer free medical care, especially to those who cannot afford it.
TheWest Bengal Health Schemeis a government health welfare scheme launched by the state government of West Bengal. It was launched in the year 2008 and underwent some changes in the year 2014. The scheme is now known as ’West Bengal Health for all Employees and Pensioners Cashless Medical Treatment Scheme 2014’.
Under this scheme, eligible individuals and families can avail of cashless medical treatments in the government-issued list of hospitals.
A government health insurance scheme that is community-based and designed for Karnataka’s middle and lower-middle-income earning families. It was introduced in the year 2003, to help the sections of the society that are resource-poor.
The plan extends its healthcare services to weavers, fishermen, Beedi workers, and Stree Shakti workers.
The state government of Maharashtra launched theMahatma Jyotiba Phule Yojana.This was first launched as Rajiv Gandhi Jeevandayee Arogya Yojana in July 2021. The MJPJAY was launched to provide cashless healthcare facilities for serious illnesses.
TheNational Rural Health Mission Schemewas launched by the Prime Minister on 12th April 2005. It was designed to provide accessible, affordable, and premium-quality healthcare facilities to individuals and families residing in rural areas.
Under the National Rural Health Mission, the government has mandated a special focus on North Eastern States, Jammu and Kashmir, and Himachal Pradesh.
Swasthya Sathi Schemewas launched by the Chief Minister of West Bengal on December 30, 2016. The scheme is designed to cover primary, secondary, and tertiary care costs up to INR 5 lakhs per family per year. The plan is a fully state-funded scheme and paperless.
TheBiju Swasthya Kalyan Yojanais a state government health insurance policy launched on 15th August 2018 by the Orissa government. The scheme aims to provide universal health coverage, with a special focus on economically vulnerable families.
Let us take a look at the key differences between regular and government health plans in India:
Parameters | Government Health Scheme | Private Health Insurance |
Eligibility | Eligibility is decided by the government based on income bracket and age | Eligibility is usually between 18 to 65 years |
Sum Insured | The sum insured is not high, usually between INR 5 to 10 Lakhs, which can be afforded by most people | Can go up to INR 3 Crores or more |
Coverage | Limited coverage benefits | Broader coverage benefits |
Premiums | Depending on the policy, the premiums are fully funded by the government or can be as low as INR 100 monthly | Starting from INR 200, depending on the policy |
Policy Purchase Time | It may take time to purchase the government health policy | Policy purchase is instant and can be done online |
Renewal | Can not be renewed online | Can be renewed online |
Government health schemes offer the following key benefits:
Partially or fully funded by the central or state government, as per the policy, you are covered under.
Offers coverage to families with lower incomes and uplifts weaker sections of society.
Government and select private hospitals are available for treatments under government health insurance schemes.
Government health insurance schemes cover PEDs from day 1.
Government health schemes provide inpatient hospitalisation as well as OPD care.
Let us take a look at the benefits of government health insurance schemes:
Peace of Mind
Government health insurance plans offer a financial safety net for families with lower incomes, giving them peace of mind. Many families are trapped in debt because they do not have adequate funds for paying hospital bills.
Covers the entire family
Government health schemes like Ayushman Bharat Pradhanmantri Yojana and others are designed to cover all family members, including senior citizens in the family.
Access to government health centres
Citizens covered under government health schemes can access government health centres, making healthcare affordable and within reach for all.
Government Health Insurance Schemes are an initiative that cater to the healthcare needs of the poor people. These programmes help the underprivileged to afford effective treatment for their medical problems.The schemes are, therefore, highly important as they assist India’s underprivileged population in improving their level of living.
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Government health insurance plans are schemes designed by the state or central government that provide adequate health care coverage to economically weaker families and individuals at minimal premiums to safeguard their health.
No, all government health insurance schemes have different eligibility criteria which are mentioned on the above article. Refer to all the government health plans mentioned in the article to understand more.
No, there are many government health insurance plans which are launched by the State government. Both the State and Central governments have a common goal which is to work towards providing adequate & quality medical care to the citizens of the country.
Different government health insurance plans will require different documents. Aadhar cards are widely accepted in India for government health plans. Additional documents such as ration cards, voter ID, and state residential citizen proof may also be required.
Government health insurance plans will not be available for online purchase as they ensure healthcare for the economically weaker sections of society. To make the purchase process easier for them, paperwork needs to be submitted directly to the authorized office. However, state government and central government websites will have all the necessary information regarding government insurance plans.
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Simran is an insurance expert with more than 4 years of experience in the industry. An expert with previous experience in BFSI, Ed-tech, and insurance, she proactively helps her readers stay on par with all the latest Insurance industry developments.
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