Centre, State to brainstorm over new health insurance modalities tomorrow

New Delhi: With an objective to finalise the modalities of the ambitious National Health Protection Scheme (NHPS), the government is all set to hold a two-day brainstorming session with all concerned stakeholders begging from Thursday (February 15).

According to sources, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has called a meeting of all state health secretaries to discuss the modalities of the NHPS, which was announced in the Union Budget.

"Given that health is a state subject, we have to discuss in detail about preparedness of states regarding implementation of the scheme. Almost all the states have given their consent to participate in the scheduled meeting," the sources said.

The key issues that would be discussed in the meeting include the merger of existing health schemes of different states into the broader national scheme, decision over premium amount, sources said.

"At the meeting, it would also be finalised a particular date for its launch as all the states may not be able to start the scheme. The states, which are facing financial strains, may be given some 'special' support to run the scheme," sources said.

As per the scheme, the government has pledged to provide health insurance cover of Rs 5 lakh to everyone annually for secondary and tertiary hospital care. The first-of-its-kind public insurance programme is expected to be launched in October.

Hailing the insurance scheme announcement in Union Budget, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said, "Ayushman Bharat will help 10 crore families in their medical need. This is the biggest ever government-sponsored health care programme in the world."