Overview
Ayushman Bharat is a flagship scheme by the Government of India to provide health insurance coverage to economically vulnerable families.
Key Features
• Health Insurance Coverage: Provides a health insurance cover of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization.
• Beneficiaries: Covers over 10 crore poor and vulnerable families, approximately 40% of the country’s population.
• Cashless and Paperless: Beneficiaries can receive cashless and paperless treatment at empaneled hospitals.
Components
• Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs): Establishes 1.5 lakh HWCs to provide comprehensive primary healthcare services.
• National Health Protection Scheme (NHPS): Provides health insurance coverage to beneficiaries.
Benefits
• Pre-Authorized Treatment: Pre-authorization of treatment for beneficiaries to ensure timely and hassle-free treatment.
• Free Treatment: Free treatment to beneficiaries at empaneled hospitals.
• Transportation Costs: Transportation costs to and from hospitals are also covered.
Implementation
• State Governments: Implemented by State Governments in partnership with the Central Government.
• Empaneled Hospitals: Private and public hospitals empaneled to provide treatment to beneficiaries.
Objectives
• Universal Health Coverage: Achieve universal health coverage for all citizens.
• Reducing Out-of-Pocket Expenditure: Reduce out-of-pocket expenditure on healthcare for poor and vulnerable families.
• Improving Health Outcomes: Improve health outcomes and reduce mortality rates.
