Ayushman Bharat vs Chiranjeevi Health Insurance Scheme
The Central Government had rolled out the Ayushman Bharat scheme in the starting months of 2018 for offering essential healthcare needs to the financially weaker sections of the society. After that, several state governments launched similar healthcare schemes. The 'Chiranjeevi Swasthya Bima Yojana' is the most recent one, introduced by the Rajasthan State Government.
The West Bengal State government had launched a similar scheme in 2016, which is the 'Swasthya Sathi Scheme', while one of Odisha's is known as the 'Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana'. Even Telangana has a similar healthcare scheme for its state residents, known as the 'Aarogyasari Yojana'.
However, in the following section, we will discuss and compare only the 'Ayushman Bharat Yojana' and 'Chiranjeevi Swasthya Bima Yojana'. Read ahead to find out the complete details about these two schemes and know which offers a better range of advantages to its beneficiaries.
Ayushman Bharat
What is the scheme?
To cover the costs of all types of secondary and tertiary hospitalization care offered to the poor and deprived section of the country, Ayushman Bharat medical insurance scheme was launched in 2018. The main aim of this scheme is to offer free medical treatment to the economically weaker sections of society, which is around 40% of the country's total population.
The healthcare insurance is supposed to cover a sum of Rs. 5 lakhs for over 50 crore Indian citizens. From the treatment costs, diagnostics to medicines and pre-hospitalization costs, each and everything is covered by this central government launched - medical healthcare scheme.
Who can benefit from it?
There are over 10 crores enlisted low-income families all around the country. The Ayushman Bharat Yojana is designed to offer treatment options to underprivileged people in rural and urban areas. One can easily check the occupational categories or other eligibility criteria of availing this scheme by visiting the official portal of the scheme.
Details about the scheme:
● This scheme is offering Rs. 5 lakhs coverage per family annually for meeting the secondary and tertiary health care needs across various public and private hospitals all over the country, whichever is affiliated to this scheme.
● An approx of 50 crore families are eligible to avail this cashless hospitalization option.
● This scheme does cover medical and diagnostics expenses of the prior three days to hospitalization and 15 days post-hospitalization expenses.
● The scheme incorporates more than 1393 medical procedures and covers all pre-existing conditions since the first day of treatment.
● Irrespective of age, gender, and family size, this scheme can be availed with ease.
What are the terms and conditions of the scheme?
● If a beneficiary goes through several surgical procedures, the surgery which is the costliest will be covered in the first instance. 50% of the total expenses will be paid in case of the second time, and it will then be 25% during the third instance.
● The treatment of a girl child, senior citizen, and women gets more priority than the rest.
● None of the enlisted hospitals can deny treatment for pre-existing diseases.
● The hospitals cannot charge money from the beneficiaries for treatment.
Chiranjeevi Swasthya Sathi Yojana
What is the scheme?
The Mukhyamantri Chiranjeevi Swasthya Bima Yojana is launched by the Rajasthan state government to offer cashless yearly medical insurance to the families belonging to the economically weaker sections of the society. This scheme covers a large sector of diseases, including COVID-19 and black fungus and will cover all expenses up to Rs. 5 lakhs. The families who have registered for this scheme need to pay a premium of Rs. 850 annually and can easily avail the benefits of the scheme by doing that.
Who can benefit from it?
From contractual workers to low and marginal farmers, many people belong to the below poverty line, all of whom can register under this scheme. Along with them, the NFSA Cardholders, SECC beneficiaries, and the families belonging to the COVID-19 ex gratia list can easily opt for this scheme by following the simple steps of registration.
Details about the scheme:
● One can easily register for the scheme by visiting the nearest camp or applying online and submitting the necessary documents.
● The individuals who have applied for this scheme can get the treatment facilities from 756 government-run hospitals and 450 private ones affiliated with the scheme.
● The scheme covers more than 1576 medical tests of different diseases and all types of treatment procedures needed for treating a certain disease.
● From the medical expenses of 5 days before hospitalization to 15 days after the discharge, all of it will be thoroughly covered by this scheme.
What are the terms and conditions of the scheme?
● A candidate needs to submit supportive documents to prove their permanent residency in Rajasthan to avail the benefits of the scheme.
● If a beneficiary faces an issue with the hospital or treatment procedure, they do have the option to lodge a complaint in the helpline centre set up by the state government for handling such issues 24/7.
● None of the enlisted hospitals has the right to charge anything from the patients who are availing this scheme, and even if they do, it is mandatory to refund it as soon as possible.
Conclusion
While both schemes are similar in many aspects, each has its list of advantages and complexities. Hence, an individual can choose the one that seems to suit his requirements and use it to the fullest potential.