Chandrababu Naidu-led Andhra Pradesh Government is planning to roll out a new free health insurance scheme to medical expenses up to ₹2.5 lakh per family per annum. Naidu is likely to finalise the details after a high level review meeting of the stakeholders and is expected to launch the scheme in the next financial year.
“This (Scheme) will be in addition to the existing free treatment schemes such as Aarogya Sri and will come with no strings attached to benefit all sections of population subjected to some modalities which are being worked out, ‘‘ a senior official told businessline.
As per the Government estimates, the State Exchequer is likely to foot a financial burden of ₹2,500 annual premium for a family. The scheme will function on an advanced technology platform where the acceptance from the insurance company will be received within six hours after it is informed by a patient/hospital.
The Government is expecting a good response from the public sector insurers for a tender it proposes to release soon.
“The insurer who bags the tender will be paid premium/bills once in three months to avoid financial stress on them,’‘ the official said. It is proposed to include over 3000 treatments under the scheme across 30 specialities to make the health cover comprehensive.
The State would be divided into two units for the purpose of awarding two separate tenders to cover the entire State. While private players are also expected to show interest, the government hopes for a public sector general insurer for the contract, the official added. The other modalities of the proposed scheme are being worked out.
Wide coverage
The free health over scheme is expected to provide greater social security for the people of the State. Already, the State Government is implementing its flagship NTR Vaidya Seva Scheme to achieve Universal Health Coverage in the State.
The scheme is applied for BPL families – families with annual income up to ₹5 lakh – and over 1,49 crore families are being benefited under the scheme without collecting the premium amount. Each family is entitled a maximum limit of ₹25.00 lakh per year (Relaxation of this limit for Cancer patients).
