On the anvil: PM’s insurance scheme

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 22

The government today called for a sustained dialogue with stakeholders, including health and insurance industry, for the successful implementation of Prime Minister’s National Health Insurance Scheme, currently under consideration.

Inaugurating the 10th Health Insurance Summit 2016 organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry here today, Faggan Singh Kulaste, Minister of State for Health, said the scheme would be a game-changer in terms of its coverage and benefits.

“The scheme for below poverty line (BPL) people operating under the banner of Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) provided health insurance with 75 per cent coverage. The new scheme will entail larger financial commitment from the government. The private health and insurance industry could partner in creating more facilities for treatment of patients, such as leveraging idle beds in private hospitals,” he said,

The minister added the new national insurance scheme would dovetail fragmented schemes to make the project more homogeneous and impact-oriented. This means RSBY will also be merged in the new scheme.

PJ Joseph, Member, Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA), said the number of people covered under health insurance had now touched 36 crore, mostly under government schemes.

He said new IRDA guidelines allowing insurance companies to withdraw a project if it fails to click, allowing wellness and preventive packages, permitting offer of discounts have been introduced to expand coverage.

Insurance companies could bring down premium if the number of people covered under the scheme increases, he added.

The IRDA member called for a strong regulatory mechanism and Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) for insurance products. He said there should be concerted efforts to prevent frauds and unethical practices.