List of 15 Best Government Health Insurance Schemes in India
Health is the biggest asset for any human being, and this was yet again proven right by the coronavirus pandemic. The need to keep oneself healthy at all times has become the universal requirement, and to attain this goal, individuals are spending a lot on products to safeguard themselves from any unfortunate situations. The Indian government is also investing heavily in strengthening the public healthcare system so all Indian citizens, especially those who cannot afford to spend considerable amounts on private treatments, get benefits through these central government health schemes.
What are the Government health insurance schemes?
The health insurance schemes sponsored by the Central or State Government are classified under government health schemes. The main aim of initiatives like the govt health insurance scheme is to make healthcare facilities available for all people at an affordable cost. Some of these projects have gained global recognition and are taken as case studies for the manner of implementation.
To help people who earn daily wages and are below the poverty line get access to basic healthcare facilities, the Government of India is taking measures to bring them into the insurance fold by introducing government health insurance schemes.
15 Best Government Health Insurance Schemes in India for 2022
Read ahead to know more about the several health insurance schemes by the Government of India:
- Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY)
- Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY)
- Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS)
- Employees State Insurance Scheme (ESIC)
- Universal Health Insurance Scheme (UHIS)
- Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana (AABY)
- Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Insurance Scheme (CMCHIS)
- Yeshasvini Health Insurance Scheme
- Awaz Health Insurance Scheme
- Bhamashah Swasthya Bima Yojana
- Karuna Health Scheme
- Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana
- Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana
- Telangana State Government – Employees and Journalists Health Scheme
- Mukhyamantri Amrutum Yojana
1. Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY)
The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) launched in 2018 is a centrally sponsored scheme jointly funded by the union government of India and the state government to provide free health insurance coverage for low-income earners in the country. With an estimated 50 crore beneficiaries under its wing, it is the world’s largest government medical insurance scheme.
The features of PMJAY include coverage of Rs 5 lakh per family per year for medical treatment, 3 days of pre-hospitalization and 15 days of post-hospitalization, reimbursement of diagnostic and medical expenses, etc., It also covers all pre-existing medical conditions, and a beneficiary can avail medical treatment at any empanelled hospital anywhere in the country.
2. Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY)
It is a central government health scheme launched in 2016 to enable more people to take insurance for accidents. For a premium of Rs 12/year per member in a family, it offers a life cover of Rs 2 lakhs and 1 lakh for loss of limb or eye. Anyone within the age of 18 to 70 years is eligible to be a part of this plan.
The primary objective of this scheme is to make an affordable insurance cover available for the general public in India at the lowest possible premium. Most banks and public sector insurance companies have made this plan available for individuals to join, wherein the premium is auto-debited every year from the savings account of the beneficiary.
3. Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS)
This is one of India’s oldest health insurance schemes that the Govt of India launched to provide health insurance coverage to central government employees and pensioners. All high ranked government officials such as Members of Parliament, Governors, retired high court judges, Supreme court judges, Journalists, Freedom fighters, etc., are eligible to avail the benefits of this health insurance scheme that offers cashless treatments at preselected hospitals, outpatient treatments, reimbursements for emergency medical treatments undertaken at government or private hospitals. The contribution towards CGHS is fixed as per the level of the employee (Level 1, 2,3, etc.)
4. Employees State Insurance Scheme (ESIC)
The ESIC was implemented in the year 1950 by the government of India, primarily for the workers to provide them with health coverage and protect them against health-related complications such as permanent or temporary disablement, sickness, death due to employment injury or occupational disease, etc., that might lead to loss of income for their family.
With over 3 crore beneficiaries registered under ESIC, the scheme provides the following benefits: Medical benefit, Sickness benefit, Maternity benefit, Disablement benefit, Dependant’s benefit, Funeral expenses, and Rehabilitation allowance. Under healthcare facilities, those registered with the scheme are entitled to medical treatment for themselves and their dependents at ESI centres that are spread across all major cities of India.
5. Universal Health Insurance Scheme (UHIS)
The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare launched the UHIS in 2003 throughout the country to offer affordable healthcare and manage the medical expenses of the poor people in the country. To provide free medical care to the vulnerable section of society, especially to those belonging below the poverty line (BPL), is the main objective of this scheme.
An individual and his family members are eligible to be part of this insurance scheme who are covered for their medical expenses, maternity, room rent, doctor’s consultation fee, medical supplies, etc. If a family member gets hospitalized, their medical expenses are covered up to Rs. 30,000 towards. The premium rates for the universal health insurance scheme differ for belonging to BPL and APL families, which starts from Rs 300 and goes up to Rs 730 depending on the number of members in a family.
In a country like India, with a massive population base and each individual with various financial backgrounds, everyone can’t get uniform benefits. It is the reason why these government-funded insurance schemes are set up with the sole responsibility of providing basic healthcare facilities to the common person across the nation. The government is also devising these health insurance schemes to bring a socio-economic equilibrium with these thoughts in mind.
6. Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana (AABY)
Established in the year 2007, this is one of the most recent National Health Insurance Schemes. It aims to cover all individuals between 18 and 59 years of age. Citizens living in urban as well as rural areas can avail this government health insurance scheme.
One of the key benefits of the AABY scheme is that it offers scholarships to underprivileged children. Under this scheme, the head of the family or the main bread-earner is protected for all the medical necessities.
7. Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Insurance Scheme (CMCHIS)
This is a state government scheme designed by the Tamil Nadu state. Launched in association with the United India Insurance Company Ltd. The Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme offers an apt coverage for thousands of medical treatments and facilities.
You can even claim hospitalization expenses for up to Rs. 5 lakhs under this government health insurance scheme. All those residents of Tamil Nadu who have an annual income of less than Rs. 75,000 are eligible to get enrolled under this government scheme.
8. Yeshasvini Health Insurance Scheme
To promote health and wellness in the state, the Karnataka state launched its Yeshasvini Health Insurance Scheme to provide financial aid, particularly to farmers and peasants. Over 800 medical treatments and procedures like Angioplasty, Neurology, and so are covered under this scheme.
The Yeshasvini health insurance scheme offers health care services to all the beneficiaries through network hospitals. Co-operative societies in Karnataka are helping farmers to get enrolled under this health insurance scheme launched by the Karnataka government.
9. Awaz Health Insurance Scheme
The Kerala Government launched the Awaz health insurance scheme in the year 2017. The main aim of this scheme is to provide health cover to the inter-state laborers in Kerala. It offers financial aid during medical emergencies to the policyholder as well as his/her family members.
The Awaz health insurance scheme offers a coverage of up to Rs. 15,000 to the policyholder. Moreover, it also provides a death benefit feature in terms of a payout of Rs. 2 lakh to the surviving family members of the deceased policyholder.
10. Bhamashah Swasthya Bima Yojana
The Rajasthan Government introduced this special scheme to provide healthcare coverage to the rural residents of the state. Those who have already enrolled for the National Food Security Act and Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana can also enroll for the Bhamashah Swasthya Bima Yojana.
One of the key features of Bamashah Swasthya Bima Yojana is that it comes with no upper age limit for the policyholder.
11. Karuna Health Scheme
The Kerala Government launched yet another lucrative health care scheme called the Karuna Health Insurance Scheme for the weaker sections of society. This policy offers coverage to poor people who are suffering from critical illnesses like cardiac diseases, cancer, and so on.
To enroll under this scheme, you need to submit your income certificate and a photocopy of your Aadhaar card. One thing to note is that this scheme offers limited financial coverage for critical illnesses as per the standard policies.
12. Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana
Launched by the Maharashtra Government, Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana is a special government scheme for the people below the poverty line. It aims to offer them financial aid in case of medical emergencies.
The Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana offers coverage for several diseases right from the first day of coverage. The maximum coverage offered under this scheme is up to Rs. 1.5 lakh. One major condition of this scheme is that only some select district residents can apply for it.
13. Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana
The Ministry of Labour and Employment launched the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana for the healthcare facilities of the working class and laborers in the unorganized sector. It aims to cover them financially for all sorts of medical needs.
Not just the policyholder, but up to 5 family members can be enrolled under the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana. It offers coverage for medical emergencies in case of accidents and also for general sickness of the laborers.
14. Telangana State Government – Employees and Journalists Health Scheme
The Telangana State Government launched this healthcare scheme for the welfare of journalists and employees. The best feature of this government scheme is that it is open to ex-employees too. The policyholder can easily avail of cashless treatments under this policy.
As compared to other health insurance plans, this government scheme is affordable and offers wider coverage.
15. Mukhyamantri Amrutum Yojana
The Gujarat Government launched this healthcare scheme in the year 2012 for the health needs of the lower middle section and poor section of the society. Mukhyamantri Amrutum Yojana aims to offer financial aid to the policyholder for all kinds of medical treatments.
The sum insured offered under the Mukhyamantri Amrutum Yojana is up to Rs. 3 lakh. Not just the policyholder, even the family members can avail of the benefits because this plan works on a family floater basis. This scheme allows you to avail of medical treatments in public, private, and trust-based hospitals without any hassles.
Apart from these centrally funded schemes, there are many state government health schemes that each state government runs for residents of those states. The COVID-19 pandemic brought the focus and awareness among people of all levels to invest in helpful health insurance schemes. While privileged people went to get the best treatment from private players, the central government and state governments ensured the public healthcare system was revamped to offer treatment facilities for all people alike. In a way, the coronavirus was a wake-up call for individuals and the government.
Government Health Insurance Schemes FAQs
Which is the best government health insurance schemes in India?
The best government health insurance schemes in India are:
• Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY, launched in 20s18)
• Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY, launched in 2016)
• Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS)
• Employees State Insurance Scheme (ESIC, implemented in 1953)
• Universal Health Insurance Scheme (UHIS, launched in 2003)
Can anyone buy Government Health Insurance Plans in India?
The eligibility criteria are not the same for all the plans. You can check the criteria and the documents required for every scheme before making your decision.
Are there any limitations in the Government Health Insurance Schemes in India?
• The government schemes don’t offer adequate coverage and benefits against various diseases
• The government health schemes may create patterns of dependence for some families
• The government health schemes are unsustainable this means you can’t rely on these schemes for longer periods
Who is eligible for Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana?
• Families who don’t have any male members in the age band of 16 to 59 years
• Families who don’t have any adults in the age range of 16 to 59 years.
• A family that comes with disabled members and no able-bodied adult members
• Households belonging to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes
• Landless households who work as manual labor
• Families living in a single room house with temporary walls and roofs.
• Families not having any household
• Primitive tribal groups
• Legally released bonded labor
• People who are living in extreme poverty
Are all government health insurance policies baked by the Central government?
Government support schemes that offer medical insurance can either be from the state government or the central government. The state government employees are only eligible for medical insurance coverage that is provided by the state and vice versa.
How are the premiums for government health insurance policies determined?
The premiums are not the same for all plans. The premiums are calculated based on the number of individuals covered. In some schemes, beneficiaries need to pay a pre-determined sum as a premium each year.
What are the exceptions of Government Health Insurance Schemes?
The government insurance policies won’t offer coverage for cosmetic treatment. Different plans might have different exceptions. So, always read the policy documents carefully and understand all exceptions and advantages of the health insurance scheme.
How can I purchase Government health insurance schemes online?
The purchase procedure of government health schemes in India is not the same as conventional health insurance plans.
