Top Health Insurance Schemes Launched by the Central and State Governments

Governments and local authorities around the world take measures for the welfare of their people by working to provide quality healthcare. The steps taken by them include spreading health awareness, building medical infrastructure, and promoting health insurance. In India, the central government as well as the state governments also play a similar role. In 2020, around 500 million Indians were covered under health insurance schemes. Of these, the majority of the population was insured under government-sponsored health insurance schemes [1].

Still, not even half of India’s population has health coverage. Health insurance penetration in India was just about 35% in 2018. In addition, substantial poverty make it difficult for a large section of society to afford quality healthcare services. To tackle these issues, the Union government as well as different state governments have launched several innovative health insurance schemes. To know about the best government health schemes in India, read on.

Ayushman Bharat Yojana

Ayushman Bharat Yojana is a government health insurance scheme with the aim of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) [2]. It has two segments – Health and Wellness Centers (HWC) and Pradhan Manti Jan Aarogya Yojana. Around 1.5 lakh health and wellness centres have been built in the country under this scheme. The PMJAY scheme offers medical insurance coverage of up to Rs. 5 lakh per family every year at a premium of Rs.30 annually. The Ayushman Bharat scheme aims at providing comprehensive healthcare services by covering medical treatment, medicines, diagnostics, and pre-hospitalization expenses.

Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana (AABY)

Launched in 2007, the Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana or AABY also falls among the top central government health insurance schemes in India. This is mainly offered for people with 48 defined occupations such as fishing, handloom weaving, carpentry, and more. Under this govt health insurance, policyholders must be aged between 18-59 to enjoy coverage of up to Rs.30,000 by paying an annual premium of Rs.200. The earning member or the head of the family is covered under this scheme.

Janashree Bima Yojana

Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana

Introduced with an aim of providing accident coverage to the people of India, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana is offered to people aged 18-70 years having a bank account. Under this scheme, policyholders get disability and death cover of Rs.2 lakh and partial disability cover of Rs.1 lakh every year. The annual premium for this government insurance is Rs.12. 

Employee’s State Insurance Scheme

The ESI scheme protects employees of non-seasonal factories with at least 10 employees against the impact of the following situations.

• Maternity
• Sickness
• Death or injury leading to disability at work

If you work in any of the following establishments and get a minimum wage of Rs.21,000 per month, you may be eligible for the ESI scheme.

• Hotels
• Newspapers
• Shops
• Cinemas
• Road transport
• Restaurant
• Educational/Medical institution

Apart from health coverage, you can also get unemployment allowance for a maximum tenor of 24 months to in case you become permanently invalid due to an non-employment injury or lose your job involuntarily.

Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS)

CGHS is a govt health insurance scheme that is offered to pensioners and government officials living in cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, Nagpur, Kolkata, and Lucknow. This govt insurance policy was launched in 1954 to offer comprehensive healthcare facilities. The scheme provides a free consultation with specialists at dispensaries and hospitals. The beneficiaries also get health education under this online renewal program.

Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Insurance Scheme

Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Insurance Scheme is a Tamil Nadu state government health scheme. It is a family floater govt health policy that was launched in association with the United India Insurance Company. Under this govt health scheme, you get up to Rs.5 lakh as a hospitalization expense cover. People living in the state of Tamil Nadu with an income of not more than Rs.75,000 per year are eligible for this scheme. If you are a beneficiary of this scheme, you can file claims at both private and government hospitals.

Universal Health Insurance Scheme (UHIS)

This central govt health insurance scheme is designed for families living below the poverty line. However, non-BPL families can apply for it as well. The scheme covers every member of a family and provides coverage due to accidental death or disability. Medical expenses of up to Rs.30,000 are covered against hospitalization of a family member.

 A compensation of Rs.50 daily for a period of 15 days is provided if the earning head of the family is admitted to a hospital. This affordable government medical insurance covers people aged between 5 to 70 years. It offers coverage such as hospitalization and accident disability. 

There are many other government health schemes in India. Apart from central government health insurance schemes, here is a list of top insurance schemes by different state governments. 

• Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana by the Government of Maharashtra
• Yeshasvini Health Insurance Scheme by the Government of Karnataka
• Dr YSR Aarogyasri Health Care Trust by the Government of Andhra Pradesh
• Mukhyamantri Amrutum Yojana by the Government of Gujarat
• Karunya Health Scheme by the Government of Kerala

By subscribing to these government health insurance schemes, you can get comprehensive healthcare affordably. In case you do not fulfill the criteria for any central or state government health schemes, you can choose from the Complete Health Solution plans by Bajaj Finserv Health. These plans provide medical cover of up to Rs.10 lakh at reasonable premiums. You can also get coverage for preventive health check-ups, doctor consultations, and lab tests, and enjoy network discounts. Sign up now and put your health first. Apart from Aarogya care Bajaj Finserv Health Offers a Health card that converts your medical bill into easy EMI.