Health risks & uncertainties are a part of life – the biggest example is the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. We cannot plan and get sick but we can definitely be prepared for the financial aspect. One of the best ways to be financially prepared against such uncertainties is by availing a health insurance scheme. There are many health schemes in India that people should be aware of so as to take its benefit. So today, in this article we will tell you about best government health insurance schemes in India. So, let’s begin.
What is a government health insurance scheme?
A government health insurance scheme is basically a health insurance policy, which is sponsored by the Centre or State Government. The objective of such schemes is to provide affordable health insurance to people and improve healthcare facilities across the country.
Benefits of Government Health Schemes
-
Have low premiums.
-
Have numerous benefits.
-
They are trustable/assured
-
Encourages low-income people to invest in health insurance.
Best Health Schemes in India
Below we have mentioned about 10 different health insurance schemes available in India;
Ayushman Bharat Scheme
Ayushman Bharat was launched to achieve the vision of Universal Health Coverage (UHC). This scheme has been designed to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) & its underlining commitment that is to "leave no one behind." Ayushman Bharat scheme is aimed at undertaking path breaking interventions to holistically address healthcare system at the primary, secondary & tertiary level. It adopts a range of care approach, comprising of 2 inter-related components;
-
Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs)
-
Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY)
To know more click - https://pmjay.gov.in/about/pmjay
Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana
Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana is a security scheme that offers benefits to low-income individuals in case of death / disability. It is targeted at people working in 48 specific vocations such as fishing, cobblers, carpentry, handloom weaving, auto drivers etc. With a premium of Rs. 300 / year, the scheme promises an assured amount of Rs. 30,000 after natural death & Rs. 75,000 in case of accidental death of the policyholder.
Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana
Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana was launched in 2016, after it was evaluated that only 20 percent of the population had insurance coverage for accidents. To avail the benefit of this scheme, a person must be between 18 to 70 years of age and have a bank account. The assured amount offered in this scheme is Rs. one lakh for partial disability and Rs. two lakh for total disability & death due to accident. The premium is Rs. 12 / year with the facility of auto-debit from the bank account.
Universal Health Insurance Scheme
The scheme was started by the Centre to provide universal healthcare to people below the poverty line & their families. The aim is to make universal healthcare accessible to these people. Universal Health Insurance Scheme covers hospitalization, accident & disability for eligible persons between 5 to 70 years.
Chiranjeevi health insurance scheme
The Rajasthan government's ambitious Chiranjeevi health insurance scheme offers annual cashless insurance cover of Rs 5 lakh to every family in the state. The registration is free for those covered under National Food Security Act (NFSA), Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC), small & marginal farmers, contractual workers & those who have received COVID-19 ex-gratia. In contrast, those who do not fall in these categories will have to pay Rs 850 as 50 percent of the annual premium.
Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS)
Central Government Health Scheme or CGHS is a type of health plan provided by the Centre. But remember that only Central Government employees are eligible for this scheme. The CGHS scheme has been around for over six decades and covers hospitalization expenses of the policyholder. Alternative medicine like ayurveda & homeopathy are also covered under this scheme.
Awaz Health Insurance Scheme
The Awaz Health Insurance Scheme was launched in Kerala and targeted at migrant workers. It provides labourers in Kerala a health insurance policy with an insured sum of Rs. 15,000. It also gives a death advantage of Rs. 2 Lakh in case of death of the policyholder. The policy can be obtained by labourers between 18 & 60 years of age.
Chief Minister's Comprehensive Insurance Scheme
The scheme has been promoted by Tamil Nadu government for people residing in the state earning less than Rs 75000 / annum. Medical expenses upto Rs. 5 lakh can be claimed through this scheme, and many private and government hospitals are a part of this scheme.
Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana
Maharashtra Government has initiated this health insurance scheme for the benefit of its people below the poverty line. It was targeted mainly at farmers in the state. The policy provides a family cover of upto Rs. 1.5 lakh for treatment of many diseases. A good point about this policy is that it does not have a waiting period & the benefit can be claimed from the first day itself.
Bhamashah Swasthya Bima Yojana
Bhamashah Swasthya Bima Yojana is an insurance initiative by Rajasthan government. It basically covers hospitalization expenses in the form of cashless claims for general and critical illnesses. Everyone is eligible for this scheme & it covers both in-patient and out-patient expenses.
Mukhyamantri Amrutam Yojana
Mukhyamantri Amrutam Yojana was initiated by Gujarat government in 2012 for the benefit of poor people in the state. People under the poverty line & lower middle-class families are eligible for the scheme. This yojana is basically a family floater health insurance plan that provides a coverage of upto Rs. three lakh per family. The insured can get treatment from government hospitals, private hospitals and trust-run hospitals.
Conclusion
There are many different government health insurance schemes available for people below poverty line. Hence, they must utilize these schemes for the betterment of their health and try to make the most of them.
