Delhi to implement Ayushman Bharat Jan Arogya Yojana

About the News 

The Delhi government has signed an MoU with the National Health Authority to roll out the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, making Delhi the 35th Union Territory/state to implement this flagship health insurance scheme. West Bengal remains the only state yet to adopt it.

Ayushman Bharat Scheme Overview

Ayushman Bharat is a flagship healthcare initiative by the Government of India, designed to provide accessible and affordable healthcare services to vulnerable sections of society. Launched on 23rd September 2018, the scheme is officially known as Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY). It is recognized as the largest health assurance scheme in the world.

Key Features

1. Coverage of Medical Procedures: The scheme offers free and cashless treatment for 1,961 medical procedures across 27 specialities. This includes a wide range of services such as: Medicines, Diagnostic services, Hospitalisation, ICU care, Surgeries.
2. Financial Coverage: Under Ayushman Bharat, eligible families are provided with an annual health coverage of up to Rs 10 lakh:
   • Rs 5 lakh from the Central Government.
   • Rs 5 lakh as a top-up from the States/UTs Government.

Implementation and Governance

• The National Health Authority (NHA) is the apex body responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme.

Impact and Reach

• The scheme aims to cover 55+ crore beneficiaries, targeting 12 crore families, which constitutes approximately 40% of India’s vulnerable population.
• As a result of the Ayushman Bharat initiative, the out-of-pocket expenditure for healthcare has significantly decreased, from 62% in 2014 to just 38% today.

Ayushman Bharat Jan Arogya Yojana FAQs 

Q1. What is Ayushman Bharat Jan Arogya Yojana in English?
Ayushman Bharat Jan Arogya Yojana is a health insurance scheme offering financial protection for medical treatment in India.

Q2. What is Ayushman Bharat card?
Ayushman Bharat card is a health insurance card that provides access to free medical treatment at empanelled hospitals.

Q3. Who is eligible for Ayushman Bharat card?
Eligibility includes low-income families, socially vulnerable groups, and individuals identified through the SECC (Socio-Economic Caste Census) database.

Source: PIB