India's Government Health Insurance Schemes

The Government of India continuously strives to provide good quality healthcare for their people. From the last few years, the government has created awareness about health issues, and promoted health insurance for people's welfare.These Government health insurance schemes are designed specially to improve the healthcare quotient of the country. These affordable policies are offered by both the Central and State Government.

Before going ahead, first it is important for you to know how Government Health Insurance Schemes are different from Private Medical Insurance. Well, below we have prepared a table differentiating both of them on certain features. Take a look:

Now, when you know the difference between government and private health insurance, Let's have a look at some of the Government Health Insurance Schemes which are available in India.

1. Ayushman Bharat Yojana

   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 or Ayushman Bharat Yojana offers 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.

   Ayushman Bharat Yojana includes coverage of 15 days of post-hospitalization and 3-days of pre-hospitalization and around 1,400 procedures are also included like skull surgery, knee replacement, etc.

   Ayushman Bharat Yojna comes with several features which makes it beneficial to the poor and destitute households in rural and urban areas.

   • Covers the treatment of oncology with chemotherapy for 50 different types of cancers.
   • It is a family floater scheme that provides coverage of 500K per family, per year.
   • Provides cashless hospitalization in public hospitals and private hospitals.
   • In case of multiple surgeries, the scheme will cover the highest package amount of the first surgery and 50% and 25% respectively for the second and third surgery.

   Explore more about Ayushman Bharat Yojana

2. Mukhyamantri Amrutam Yojana

   Mukhyamantri Amrutum Yojana scheme was launched by the government of Gujarat on 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.

   Mukhyamantri Amrutum Yojana (MA Yojana) offers various benefits to people. Some of these are:

   • It is a fully state-funded scheme, which means you don't have to pay any amount for the benefit of the scheme.
   • All beneficiaries can avail cashless quality medical and surgical treatment for 698 pre-specified illnesses such as Cardiovascular diseases, Renal diseases, Neurological diseases, Burns, Poly-Trauma, Cancer (Malignancies), Neonatal (newborn) diseases, etc.
   • The policy offers all the benefits under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan ArogyaYojana (PMJAY).
   • Every month, Mega and General Health Camps are held on the district level with the assistance of both private and government-affiliated hospitals.

   Explore more about Mukhyamantri Amrutum Yojana

3. Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana

   Launched on 2 October 2007, Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana is an Indian social security scheme that aims at the low-income families of India. This scheme is beneficial for those who are usually not on a payroll, for example, fishermen, auto drivers, cobblers, and other 45 vocations. The entry age for Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana is between 18 and 59, and can cover their healthcare needs during any unfortunate circumstances.

   Take a look at some of the key features of Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana

   • If a member of this plan suffers death due to natural causes, LIC will settle a death claim for Rs.30,000.
   • The plan offers a Disability claim of up to: Partial Disability: INR 37,500 Permanent Disability: INR 75,000
   • The plan comes with affordable premiums, moreover, the government pays half of the premium cost.

   Explore more about Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana

4. Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana

   Launched in 2015, the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana is a government-backed accident insurance scheme that covers accidental death, permanent disability, and partial disablement. The Scheme is available to those people who give their consent to join/enable auto-debit on or before 31st May for the coverage period 1st June to 31st May on an annual renewal basis.

   Take a look at the Key Features of Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana

   • Comes with affordable premiums that helps the less-privileged people to ensure their and their family's financial security if they die or get injured in an accident.
   • Avail Tax Benefits received up to Rs.1 lakh under Section 10(10D) of Income Tax Act
   • Claimant is entitled to avail Rs. 2 Lakhs on the death caused by accidents

   Explore more about Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana

5. Dr YSR Aarogyasri Trust

   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 people and help them at the time of a medical emergency. The four available schemes are:

   • Dr YSR Aarogyasri: Designed for the welfare of the poor.
   • Aarogya Raksha - Designed to benefit those who are Above Poverty Line (APL).
   • Working Journalist Health Scheme - This scheme is for journalists and it offers cashless treatment in case of listed procedures.
   • Employee Health Scheme - Designed for the state government employees.

6. Awaz Health Insurance Scheme

   Launched by Kerala Government in 2007, Awaz Health Insurance Scheme is a health insurance programme designed for migrant workers. It offers coverage to those workers who die as a result of an accident. TheHealth Insurance provides Rs.15000 in health insurance coverage and Rs.2 lakh in death insurance coverage. Any worker between the ages of 18 and 60 are eligible for this coverage.

7. Central Government Health Scheme

   Started in 1954, Central Government Health Scheme provides comprehensive health care services to central government officials and retirees living 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.Kolkata, Mumbai, Lucknow, Delphi, Nagpur, and Pune are among the cities where this plan is in operations.

Health Insurance Companies

Conclusion

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.