Big news might come in the upcoming budget about a government health insurance plan called Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, also known as Ayushman Bharat Yojana.
Sources say the government may increase the health coverage in this plan.
This could be good for companies like ICICI Lombard and Star Insurance.
How much might the coverage increase?
In the budget on February 1, 2024, the government may raise the health coverage in PMJAY from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10-15 lakh. About 60 crore people in the scheme could also get more health coverage.
The government believes this won’t cost much more. They might also think about giving discounted health insurance for the middle class.
What is PMJAY?
In 2018, the Modi government announced Ayushman Bharat in the budget.
It aims to create 100,000 health and wellness centers and provide health insurance of Rs 5 lakh per year to 10 crore families.
Benefits under PMJAY
1) Free treatment up to ₹5 lakh per year for each eligible family.
2) Free treatment in any government or private hospital in the country.
3) Free checkup 7 days before admission, treatment, food during admission, and checkup, and free medicines up to 10 days after discharge.
4) Free treatment for serious diseases like corona, cancer, kidney disease, heart disease, dengue, chikungunya, malaria, dialysis, knee and hip replacement, childlessness, cataract, and more.
Eligible beneficiaries also get free treatment under the Chief Minister Covid-19 Treatment Scheme.
