New Delhi, 17 January :In a significant move, the government is reportedly working on a proposal to double the insurance cover under the Ayushman Bharat health scheme to Rs 10 lakh. The initiative aims to provide enhanced support for critical illnesses like cancer and transplants that incur higher expenditures, according to official sources on Wednesday.An official announcement regarding this potential revision is expected during the presentation of the interim Union Budget on February 1, sources informed PTI. The Union health ministry is also contemplating doubling the beneficiaries to 100 crore under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY). This expansion would include recipients of Kisan Samman Nidhi, construction workers, non-coal mine workers, and ASHA workers within the next three years.To address the financial challenges associated with severe illnesses requiring expenditures exceeding Rs 5 lakh, such as transplants and high-cost cancer treatments, the ministry is actively working on finalizing a proposal. The proposed increase would raise the cover amount from Rs 5 lakh per family per year to Rs 10 lakh per family per year, effective from 2023-24 onward, the sources revealed.The expansion of coverage to Rs 10 lakh per family per year and the increase in the beneficiary base to 100 crore individuals would necessitate an additional allocation of Rs 12,076 crore per annum, according to the sources. This move reflects the government’s commitment to addressing healthcare challenges and enhancing the accessibility of quality medical services across the nation.
Government Mulls Doubling Insurance Cover to Rs 10 Lakh in Ayushman Bharat Health Scheme
