Last Updated on 28/06/2022 by Deepak Singla

The government of India aims to provide good quality healthcare services to the people. Many schemes have been launched in recent times to ensure the lowest strata of society are not deprived of quality healthcare facilities. These schemes include increasing awareness about different medical conditions, free health checkups, and treatment at top hospitals. The coronavirus pandemic once again demonstrated the importance of one’s health as a human’s greatest asset. Everybody now recognizes the importance of maintaining good health at all times, and to achieve this goal, people spend a lot of money on products that will protect them from unfortunate events. The Indian government is also making significant investments in enhancing the public healthcare system so that all Indians, particularly those who cannot afford to pay a significant amount for private healthcare, can benefit from these national health insurance programs.  Would you like to know the top health insurance schemes offered by the government? Here is a list of the top government health insurance schemes in India 2022.

What are the public health insurance Schemes?

Health insurance schemes supported by the Central or State Government are intended to offer the people of India adequate health coverage at affordable premiums. These plans are typically offered annually.

Government health schemes are defined as health insurance programs supported by the federal or state governments. The primary goal of programs like the government health insurance scheme is to make healthcare services accessible to all people at a reasonable cost. Some of these initiatives have received recognition on a global scale and are used as case studies for implementation techniques.

The Government of India is taking steps to bring them into the insurance fold by introducing government health insurance schemes to assist people who earn daily wages and are below the poverty line to get access to basic healthcare facilities.

List of top 15 public health insurance Schemes in India for 2022

1.      Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY)

To provide free health insurance coverage for the nation’s low-income earners, the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), which was launched in 2018, is a centrally sponsored program that is jointly funded by the union government of India and the state government. It is the most extensive government medical insurance program in the world, with an estimated 50 crore beneficiaries.

The benefits of PMJAY include coverage for medical expenses totaling Rs. 5 lakh per family per year, 3 days of pre-hospitalization, 15 days of post-hospitalization, reimbursement for medical and diagnostic costs, etc. Additionally, it covers all pre-existing medical conditions, and beneficiaries can receive medical care at any hospital with accreditation anywhere in the nation. The scheme is launched to provide free treatment to poor people. Currently, the program covers about 40% of the country’s population, but the government aims to bring all the poor people under this scheme.

Policy Coverage, Benefits, and Features

• This policy is for the lower middle class and the people living below the poverty line
• Provides coverage of Rs. 5 lakhs
• Priority is given to the girl child, women, and senior citizens
• This scheme is available for secondary and tertiary healthcare services
• Cashless and paperless registration

2.       Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY)

It is a central government health scheme that was started in 2016 to make it easier for more people to purchase accident insurance. It offers a life insurance cover of Rs. 2 lakhs and Rs. 1 lakh for loss of limb or eye for a premium of Rs. 12 per year per member of a family. Anyone between the ages of 18 and 70 may participate in this plan.

This program’s main goal is to provide the Indian public with an affordable insurance option at the lowest possible cost. This plan, where the premium is automatically deducted each year from the beneficiary’s savings account, is available for individuals to join from the majority of banks and public sector insurance companies.

Policy Coverage, Benefits, and Features

• It costs only Rs. 12 to purchase this policy
• Coverage of Rs. 2 lakhs for permanent disability and Rs. 1 lakh for partial disability
• In case of death, the nominee gets the money
• Premium is auto-debited from the policyholder’s bank account
• You can discontinue the policy anytime

3.      Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS)

One of the earliest health insurance programs in India was established by the Indian government to cover the medical expenses of pensioners and employees of the central government. The benefits of this health insurance scheme, which provides cashless treatments at preselected hospitals, outpatient treatments, and reimbursements for emergency medical treatments received at public or private hospitals, are available to all high-ranking government officials, including Members of Parliament, Governors, retired high court judges, Supreme Court judges, Journalists, Freedom fighters, etc. According to the employee’s level, the CGHS contribution is set (Level 1, 2, 3, etc.)

4.      Employees State Insurance Scheme (ESIC)

The government of India implemented the ESIC in 1950, primarily for the workers to provide them with health coverage and safeguard them against health-related complications such as sickness, death due to employment injury or occupational disease, permanent or temporary disablement, etc. that could result in income loss for their family.

 

This scheme is launched to provide socio-economic protection to the workers in India. The scheme provides free medical facilities to the workers and their families. It is aimed at providing health benefits to the basic workers who earn below Rs 21000 per month (Rs.25,000/- per month in the case of Persons with Disability). It includes cash benefits at the time of distress, free treatment for various diseases, and monthly pension to the women who don’t have any dependents and lost the capacity to earn.

The ESIC program offers the following benefits: medical benefit, sickness benefit, maternity benefit, disability benefit, dependent’s benefit, funeral expenses, and rehabilitation allowance. It has over 3 crores beneficiaries registered. Those who have registered with the program are entitled to healthcare services at ESI centers, which are dispersed throughout all of India’s major cities, for both themselves and their dependents.

Policy Coverage, Benefits, and Features

Workers in non-seasonal factories with more than ten employees are eligible for this scheme

The wages of the person should not exceed Rs. 21000

Cashless treatment for secondary and tertiary medical conditions

The scheme has been implemented throughout the country except for Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur

5.      Universal Health Insurance Scheme (UHIS)

To provide low-cost healthcare and oversee the medical expenses of the nation’s poor, the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare introduced the UHIS nationwide in 2003. The main goal of this program is to provide free medical care to the most vulnerable members of society, especially to those who fall below the poverty line (BPL).

A person and his or her family members who are covered for their medical costs, maternity costs, room rent, doctor’s consultation fees, medical supplies, etc. are eligible to participate in this insurance program. Medical costs for a family member who is hospitalized are covered up to Rs. 30,000. The universal health insurance premium rates range from Rs 300 to Rs 730 depending on the size of the family for those who fall under the BPL and APL categories.

Everyone cannot receive the same benefits in a large population country like India where each person has a different financial background. It is the reason that these government-funded insurance programs were established with the sole purpose of offering basic healthcare services to the general public across the country. With these ideas in mind, the government also developed these health insurance schemes to create socioeconomic balance.

Policy Coverage, Benefits, and Features

• In the case of the main policyholder, the family gets a one-time benefit of Rs. 25000.
• Every family is entitled to get a benefit of Rs. 30000 on hospitalization of the insured person.
• Individuals and groups both are eligible for this scheme.
• One person can’t be enrolled under multiple group health schemes.

The expenses for secondary and tertiary healthcare have become expensive these days. So, getting health insurance has become essential. Everyone may not be able to afford private health insurance policies. However, you don’t have to worry. The central and state governments have launched many schemes that are meant for the lower middle class and people living below the poverty line. If you are looking for an affordable health insurance policy, you can consider the top government health insurance schemes in India. We have listed the most affordable and popular policies that can benefit you and your family in case of a critical medical condition. Get insured at very little or no expense and secure your family.

6.       Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana (AABY)

This is one of the newest Central Health Insurance Schemes, having been established in 2007. All people between the ages of 18 and 59 are intended to be covered. This public health insurance program is available to residents of both urban and rural areas.

The AABY program offers scholarships to children from disadvantaged backgrounds, which is one of its main advantages. According to this plan, the family’s head of household or primary wage earner is covered for all necessary medical expenses.

7.      Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Insurance Scheme (CMCHIS)

It is a Tamilnadu government health insurance scheme that aims to provide healthcare services to the citizens of Tamilnadu. This scheme has been launched in collaboration with the United India Insurance Ltd. Under this scheme, you can get health insurance for the whole family. It covers almost every medical condition. The insured person can get insurance coverage of up to Rs. 5 lakh that includes medical expenses on hospitalization. The beneficiary has the option to choose from the government as well as private hospitals. It is open to people with annual earnings of less than Rs. 75000.

Policy Coverage, Benefits, and Features

• Each beneficiary household can receive a sum assured of Rs. one lakh for a period of 4 years. The total sum assured is four lakhs.
• The beneficiary can choose from more than 250 hospitals that include government and private hospitals.
• The expenses of medical tests are also covered under this policy.
• Cities like Chennai, Coimbatore, and Madurai have the maximum number of hospitals.
• For certain medical conditions, the maximum coverage is 1.5 lakhs.

8.       Yeshasvini Health Insurance Scheme

The Karnataka state introduced its Yeshasvini Health Insurance Scheme to provide financial assistance, especially to farmers and peasants, to promote health and wellness in the state. This program covers more than 800 medical procedures and treatments, including neurology and angioplasty.

Through its network of hospitals, the Yeshasvini health insurance program provides medical services to all of its beneficiaries. Farmers in Karnataka are receiving assistance from cooperative societies to enroll in the state government’s new health insurance program.

9.      Awaz Health Insurance Scheme

The Awaz health insurance program was introduced by the Kerala government in 2017. The primary goal of this program is to offer health insurance to interstate workers in Kerala. It provides the policyholder and his or her family members with financial assistance during medical emergencies.

The policyholder can receive coverage of up to Rs. 15,000 through the Awaz health insurance program. Additionally, it offers a death benefit feature in the form of a payment of Rs. 2 lakh to the policyholder’s surviving family members.

10.  Bhamashah Swasthya Bima Yojana

The Rajasthan government created this unique program to offer healthcare insurance to the state’s rural residents. The Bhamashah Swasthya Bima Yojana is open to participants who have already signed up for the National Food Security Act and Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana.

The fact that there is no maximum age for policyholders under the Bamashah Swasthya Bima Yojana is one of its key characteristics.

11.   Karuna Health Scheme

The Karuna Health Insurance Scheme was introduced by the Keralan government as yet another lucrative healthcare program for the less fortunate members of society. Poor people with serious illnesses like cancer, cardiac conditions, and other illnesses are covered by this policy.

You must submit your income certificate and a photocopy of your Aadhaar card to sign up for this program. One thing to keep in mind is that, compared to standard policies, this program only provides modest financial protection for critical illnesses.

12.  Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana

The Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana is a unique government program for those living in poverty that was introduced by the Maharashtra government. In case of medical emergencies, it aims to provide them with financial assistance.

From the first day of coverage, the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana covers several illnesses. Up to Rs. 1.5 lakh in coverage is the maximum available under this program. The fact that only a small number of district residents may apply is one of the main requirements of this program.

13.  Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana

For the healthcare needs of the working class and workers in the unorganized sector, the Ministry of Labor and Employment launched the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana. It aims to financially support them for all of their medical requirements.

The Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana allows for the enrollment of up to 5 family members in addition to the policyholder. It provides coverage for both general worker illness and medical emergencies in the event of accidents.

14.  Telangana State Government – Employees and Journalists Health Scheme

For the benefit of journalists and employees, the Telangana State Government established this healthcare program. The best aspect of this government program is that former employees can participate as well. Under this policy, the policyholder can easily access cashless treatments.

This government program is more affordable and provides wider coverage when compared to other health insurance plans.

15.  Mukhyamantri Amrutum Yojana

To meet the health needs of the lower middle class and the poor in society, the Gujarat Government introduced this healthcare program in 2012. The Mukhyamantri Amrutum Yojana aims to provide the policyholder with financial assistance for all types of medical treatments.

The Mukhyamantri Amrutum Yojana offers insurance coverage up to Rs. 3 lakh. Because this plan operates on a family floater basis, not just the policyholder but also family members may benefit. This program enables hassle-free access to medical care in trust-based, public, and private hospitals.

In addition to these programs with federal funding, each state government offers a variety of health plans to its citizens. The COVID-19 pandemic increased people’s attention to and awareness of the benefits of funding advantageous health insurance schemes. The central government and state governments saw to it that the public healthcare system was updated to provide treatment facilities for all people, while the privileged went to get the best care from private players. The coronavirus served as a kind of wake-up call for both the public and the government.

Policy Coverage, Benefits, and Features

• This scheme is absolutely free. The government pays the premium.
• ASHA workers helping poor people gets an incentive of Rs. 100 for helping each family.
• The beneficiary can choose between private and government hospitals.
• Complete paperless process for enrollment and making the claim.

Common Features and Advantages of Public Health Insurance Schemes

Below are the characteristics and advantages of government health insurance programs:

• Low-cost government health insurance programs are available.
• BPL families can take advantage of insurance benefits with this policy.
• The agreement guarantees coverage for the underprivileged.
• For better healthcare, the policy covers treatment in both private and public hospitals.

Conclusion

Due to a lack of insurance, the population has had less or no access to necessary medical care. All Indians would benefit from universal coverage, whether measured in terms of better health and longer life expectancies, increased economic productivity, financial security, or the stabilization of local health care systems. Because health insurance is essential to obtaining the kind and caliber of medical care that can express the equality and dignity of every person, we all gain from it as well. The great promise of our healthcare system and the values we uphold as a society cannot be fulfilled unless we can guarantee universal coverage. Our country needs to provide coverage to all citizens.