On the 72nd Independence Day of India, PM Narendra Modi announced the biggest healthcare scheme, Ayushman Bharat-National Health protection scheme (AB-NHPS) also referred to as Modicare. The scheme will launch on 25th September with an aim to provide a health insurance of 5 lakh INR per family annually which will be benefiting more than 10 crore poor families. The project will focus predominantly on the poor, deprived rural families and identified occupational category of urban workers’ families, 8.03 crore in rural and 2.33 crore in urban areas, as per the latest SECC (Socio-Economic Caste Census) data.       

The health ministry has included 1,354 packages in the scheme under which treatment for coronary bypass, knee replacement, and other treatments would be provided with 15 to 20 percent cheaper rates than the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) to the patients. The recipient could get the benefits in the public as well as private facilities. There is no limitation of family size, age and religion in the scheme ensuring no one is left behind (especially child, women and aged). To avail, the benefits, people should have any government issued ID proof.

The medical insurances of the patients will be paid by the government. The total expenditure to be paid for the treatment would be shared between central and state government in a certain ratio as per the guidelines fabricated by the finance ministry. The total expenditure will depend on actual market-determined prices paid in states and Union Territories.

According to the government officials, 22 states have agreed on the implementation of the scheme while Punjab, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Kerala, and Delhi are yet to be approved. Odisha has refused to be a part of the scheme, an official said.

The scheme would be implemented through the State Health Agency (SHA) which would be set up across India for the national health protection mission. They can use existing trust, society, not-for-profit organization, or state nodal agency or set up a new entity to implement the scheme. The SHA can also directly implement the scheme through the insurance company or the trust or society. The funds sent by the central government will be sent to SHA via escrow account and state governments have to do a matching share of grants in a specific period of time. 

"The healthcare initiatives of the government will have a positive impact on 50 crore Indians," said PM Modi during his Independence Day speech at the Red Fort.