Prime Minister Narendra Modi may announce on this Independence Day a universal health insurance plan as part of the commitment by the government towards the welfare of the people of India, most probably without any subsidy, which will cover all members of a family under a single sum insured. We are still working on the proposed scheme and fine-tuning the premium. The new scheme may be announced by the PM this weekend (at the I-Day speech)," a top official of a state-owned general insurance company said.

Health benefit is a huge burden for all, especially senior citizens. Government’s initiative in this arena to provide health insurance to all is a real commitment. Senior citizens will be the real beneficiary, if  once the scheme is introduced as now they have to pay a huge premium to get a health cover.

The scheme will offer a cover of Rs 50,000 for a family of five on a floater basis and in those cases where the oldest beneficiary is under 60, then the sum insured will be Rs 1,00,000, says the proposed draft.

The proposed scheme will be made available to all families not exceeding five members, including those families headed by senior citizens and the entire family will be covered under a single sum insured. The upper age limit for availing of the benefit is 60 years.

By Premji