Aarogyasri Scheme should be extended to APL Senior Citizens
The Government of Andhra Pradesh has introduced an excellent health insurance scheme for all family members in BPL category. Mere possession of Ration Card (White Cards) is enough eligibility. Government pays consolidated insurance premium to Star Health. A network of 360 hospitals has been enlisted for availing treatment. 940 surgical and other procedures, primarily taking care of operations for Kidney, brain, heart, cancer, Burns etc are covered. Accidents coming under Motor Vehicles act are out of scope in this scheme. A large number of Aarogyamithras have been appointed within the easy reach of villagers whom can be approached for information, explanations, help, liaison, complaints etc. The whole system is totally cash less. Just enter the hospital with your Ration Card and special Aarogyasri card, get treated and walk away. Operations costing about 1.5 to 2.0 lakhs are done free to members of BPL category.
The website of the scheme gives a lot of details. For instance on 1st April 2011, we know how the scheme performed: 26000 medical camps were held, 4.4 million persons were screened, 40 lakh were treated, 10 lakh surgeries / procedures performed and about Rs 2920 crores worth claim disbursement (direct payment to hospitals by Insurance Company) was approved. These are cumulative data. We get monthly data also. Now the scheme covers whole of AP. It has won several acclaims and awards. Karnataka has shown interest in replicating it.
Such a wonderful scheme will be a boon to senior citizens. Senior citizens under BPL are automatically already covered. Senior citizens APL (Above poverty line) are worst sufferers when it comes to health. Diseases are more, money available for treatment is less, "no earnings except meager pensions" are some problems faced by this group. Moreover most Health insurance schemes have become unaffordable to most senior citizens. Above a certain age (when they need it most) senior citizens are simply denied any Medical / Health insurance at all. After 85 one can not get any insurance extended.
Aarogyasri should be extended to Senior Citizens in APL – Above Poverty Line category too. They may be asked to pay the premiums themselves. The premium is likely to be very affordable as large numbers are involved. This will be a great boon to the silently suffering community. An authenticated, verified Voters List could form the basis for negotiating with the Insurer. Voters ID card or Aadhar card may be used for gaining access to the facilities.
I wish some political parties include this in their agenda for the coming elections. They will gain the sympathy and support of senior citizens. After all senior citizens constitute more than 8% of the population. Some states like Tamilnadu and Pudhucherry have already started recognizing Senior Citizens as a part of Vote Bank.
Dr P Vyasamoorthy, 30 Gruhalakshmi Colony Secunderabad 500015 Ph 040-27846631 / 9490804278.My blog: http://vyasa-kaaranam-ketkadey.blogspot.com/
AP has the best medical care system for BPL families in India, Thanks to YSR, even Govt of India is unable to replicate, states like karnataka are way behind. I am sure elder citizens in APL category too will be included with a rider obviously
ReplyDeleteThanks for your valuable comments.
ReplyDeleteAISCCON and APSCCON are pursuing this topic actively with concerned officers. This figured in the recent meeting held by Helpage on Health Insurance for Senior Citizens in Hyderabad also.
Maharashtra is about to introduce a similar scheme. Tamilnadu has a sort of Truncated Aarogyasri.
Rather creating schemes like Aarogyasri for vote Bank ,its better to have a permanent solution like developing infrastructure facility /doctors in govt Hospitals. It will take maximum 50% of total allotment budget for tht individual year. Practically the private hospitals and Legislatures are getting benefits from Aarogyasri by the Poor people name.Any govt will not come up wth these type of approach as they will not get benefit/commissions by developing facility in General Hospitals. For instance u may refer to the balance sheet of Aarogyasri (Budget alloted / spend VS Poor peope cases). There are many other ways to mitigate the poor people interest.
ReplyDeleteDear Sri Prasad,
DeleteI tend to disagree with you. The total expenditure on Aarogyasri per year is around Rs 600 crores. Central governments Free Medicines (generics) to the poor all over India to be achieved in five years is around Rs 30,000 crores.This is only towards medicines supply. Therefore your assumptions are incorrect. In ANY govt scheme meant for the poor there will be some siphoning off of money by middlemen. This should be reduced but do not blame an excellent scheme which has got applause not just from other states but from other countries as well. Aarogyasri is a success because of high level of transparency introduced because of IT in all aspects.