Ayushman Bharat Becomes the World’s Biggest Health Coverage Mission

Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), which was launched on 23 September 2018, is the largest government-paid health guarantee scheme in the world. It covers up to 5 lakh family medical insurance per year towards secondary and tertiary care. The scheme has thousands of empanelled hospitals and reaches more than 12 crore families, therefore guaranteeing paperless and cashless treatment. Ayushman Bharat has revolutionized the Indian healthcare system by ensuring that poor and vulnerable people have access to quality medical services. It is important in lowering the number of out-of-pocket costs and helping the country to be closer to universal health coverage and social equity.

Key Features of Aayushman Bharat Yojana

• Makes 5 lakh annuities in health insurance coverage for a family in secondary and tertiary care.

• Covering more than 12 crore poor and vulnerable families, almost 55 crore people have benefited.

• Provides cashless and paperless treatment in public and privately owned hospitals.

• Has no restriction on the family size, age, or gender, making it fully inclusive.

• All pre-existing conditions counted since the commencement of the cover.

• Allows national mobility, so that treatment will be eligible in any Indian empanelled hospital.

• The Ayushman has created more than 1.5 lakh Health and Wellness Centres (Ayushman Arogya Mandirs) that provide preventive and primary care.

• Combined with the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) to have digital health records.

• More than 35 crore Ayushman cards distributed and millions of hospitalizations certified.

• Less out-of-pocket medical costs and better health care access among the poor and the rural population.

Conclusion

The success of Ayushman Bharat as the largest health coverage initiative in the world is a historic milestone of India in the quest to achieve universal healthcare in the country. It has revolutionized the health of people in the country by providing free, accessible, and quality medical services to millions of people. Such a venture not only empowers families in need but also builds a positive image of India as a healthcare innovator across the world.