The government plans to expand the Ayushman Bharat Yojna cover to more than 40 crores, but will not be absolutely free. These are the people who are currently not covered under any government or private health insurance scheme.
Presently more than 10.74 crore families are covered under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY). The health insurance scheme provides free annual health cover of Rs 5 lakh to every family. About 19% of the population is covered by social health insurance and private voluntary health insurance.
The government will now extend this coverage at a small premium to those who cannot afford health insurance at the retail price. As per the information provided by an official, the plan aims to reduce the insurance premium by more than a third of the retail price and make it inexpensive for the ‘missing middle’ who is currently deprived of any financial security for health.
National Health Authority, the implanting agency of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana had given a nod to the proposal in a meeting held earlier this month.
