NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE SCHEME IN INDIA

When a child is going to be born, the most important matter of concern for the loved ones remain is the child’s good health. Good health is the elixir which helps in movement of all aspects of life. Not only it is a necessity but also a right of every individual. But sadly enough, due to the increasing population and decreasing resources for all, there are many individuals who are not able to afford the various necessary health supplements leading to many deaths due to trivial as well as major health reasons.

To curb this problem and to really establish health as a right for all individuals, the Central Government launched the national health insurance schemes to provide health insurance support to all Indian citizens from private sectors, to government staff and specifically for the below poverty line people and destitute.

The list of National Health Insurance schemes is as follows-

1. Rashtriya Swasthiya Bima Yojana (RSBY)
2. Employment State Insurance Scheme (ESIS)
3. Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS)
4. Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana (AABY)
5. Janashree Bima Yojana (JBY)
6. Universal Health Insurance Scheme (UHIS)

RASHTRIYA SWASTHIYA BIMA YOJANA (RSBY)

Rashtriya Swasthiya Bima Yojana (RSBY) has been launched by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India to provide Health Insurance Coverage to families below the poverty line (BPL). The prime objective of RSBY is to protect the families under BPL protection from financial instabilities caused due to severe health problems in their families. This Health Insurance scheme entitles a hospital coverage up to Rs. 30,000. This coverage extends for five members of the family including the head of the family, spouse and other three dependents. The registration fee for the recipient is only Rs. 30 and the government then pays the premium to the insurance company. A few pre-existing illnesses are also covered within limited criterion. Government has also fixed hospital package rates.

This scheme also empowers the beneficiaries by providing option between private and government hospital.

EMPLOYMENT STATE INSURANCE SCHEME (ESIS)

Employment state insurance scheme provides insurance to the working population and their dependents. Besides this, the insured persons are also entitled to various cash benefits in times of physical distress like sickness, temporary or permanent disability etc. leading to loss of earning capacity, confinement in respect of insured woman, dependents of insured person who die in industrial accidents or because of employment injury are entitled to a monthly pension called the dependents benefit. The coverage is limited to Rs 15000/- per month.

CENTRAL GOVERNMENT HEALTH SCHEMES (SGHS)

The Central Government health scheme offers all-inclusive health care services to the Central Government employees. The services are extended to the employees as well as their dependents residing in CGHS covered cities. This scheme was implemented in the year 1954 and covers over 20 cities in the country.

The services under this scheme include-

• Health education
• Medical requirements
• Dispensary services
• Hospitalization cover
• Domiciliary care
• Various medical tests including ECG, X Ray, laboratory test, etc.

AAM AADMI BIMA YOJANA (AABY)

Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana (AABY) is a recent scheme, which came into being in 2017 for rural landless households. The scheme covers the head of the family or one earning member of the family between 18 to 59 years of age.

Compensation provided is as follows-

• Compensation of Rs 30,000 in case of natural death
• Compensation of Rs. 75,000 in case of accidental death, partial or permanent disabilities (loss of 2 limbs or 2 eyes)
• Compensation of Rs. 35,000 in case of partial permanent disabilities resulting from an accident (one limb or an eye)

JANASHREE BIMA YOJANA (JBY)

This scheme was launched in 2000. It covers individuals from 18 years to 59 years. A list of specific 45 professional groups is provided by the government which can be covered under this scheme.

UNIVERSAL HEALTH INSURANCE SCHEME (UHIS)

Universal health insurance scheme is implemented by four public general health insurance companies like LIC, etc. UHIS, just like the other health insurance schemes, aims to focus on improving healthcare access for low-income families. This scheme has been reconstructed to meet the needs of below poverty line (BPL) families. It includes individuals, families and groups. The scheme price ranges from Rs.100/- to Rs.200/- for an individual, Rs.300/- for a family of five and Rs.400/- for a family of seven. Regardless of the premium, there are no reductions in benefits.
The UHIS covers a reimbursement of Rs.30, 000 for medical expenses during hospitalization provided to the entire family and Rs.25,000/- death cover due to an accident of the earning family head. A compensation of Rs.50/- per day is paid to a person with job loss for maximum up to 15 days.

If not entirely, but these National Health Insurance schemes being run in the country is a huge support to people at times of severe crisis. Not only does these schemes provides with facilities during calamities but such schemes also tend to provide the family will fewer paying potentials to feel secure about their future.