In the current world where health costs are on the rise, the elderly are at times financially constrained and may not afford the required medical services. Understanding this challenge, the Government of India has come up with various senior citizen health insurance schemes that will enable the elderly to receive quality health services without the burden of high costs. These are aimed at offering adequate health plans, reasonable rates of premium, and specific services that will suit the health requirements of the elderly.

This blog aims at discussing the different schemes of senior citizen health insurance provided by the Government of India and the aspects of the schemes such as the features, importance and advantages of the schemes in enhancing the health of the elderly citizens of the country. 

Importance of Senior Citizen Health Insurance Scheme

Healthcare requirements are generally higher with age and therefore elderly people are more susceptible to different ailments. This is due to the fact that the cost of treatments, especially those that are required for chronic illnesses, may be very expensive, and this may act as a barrier to early presentation to the hospital. Health insurance for the senior citizens is, therefore, not a luxury but a necessity. These schemes ensure that the elderly have an income that will allow them to pay for the care they require without having to worry about the costs. However, with the rise in the number of lifestyle diseases, it has become even more important for the elderly to have a good health insurance plan in place.

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Government-Backed Health Insurance Schemes for Senior Citizens

The Government of India has launched various health insurance schemes for the senior citizens of the country. These schemes are designed to provide maximum insurance at low premiums so that everyone can afford health care. Below is a detailed look at some of the key schemes available:

1. Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) 

Ayushman Bharat or the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) is one of the major health insurance schemes implemented by the Government of India. It is in consonance with the vision of the National Health Policy 2017 of attaining universal health coverage. PM-JAY is the largest government health program in the world and it also covers not only the elderly but also women and children.

Key Features: 

• Coverage: The scheme offers a health insurance of Rs. 5 lakh per family per annum for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation. 
  Network: It is active in a wide network of public and private hospitals. 
• Eligibility: The scheme is mainly aimed at families with low income or those that are living below the poverty line.
•  Additional Benefits: PM-JAY provides cashless treatment, pre and post hospitalisation expenses and all the ailments that the patient had before enrolling for the scheme are covered from the beginning. Portability benefits are also accorded to the beneficiaries to enable them seek treatment at any of the empanelled hospitals across the country. 

This scheme is a good move towards making sure that elderly people do not have to worry about the costs of the medical care they need, thus making it an important aspect of the government’s health agenda. 

2. National Varishtha Mediclaim Policy 

The National Varishtha Mediclaim Policy is another important scheme of the Government of India launched through the National Health Insurance Company. This policy aims at senior citizens who are between 60 and 80 years of age and the policy can be renewed to the time the insured is 90 years of age. 

Key Features: 

• Coverage: The policy includes the medical expenses such as the medicines, diagnostics and the critical illnesses. The sum insured is Rs. 1 lakh for hospitalisation and Rs. 2 lakh for critical illnesses. 
• Additional Benefits: The policy includes ambulance charges up to Rs. 1000 for emergency, surgical fees, consultant fees, and specialists’ fees.
• Diseases Covered: It also covers certain diseases such as benign prostatic hyperplasia and organ transplants, and diseases such as cancer and multiple sclerosis. 
• Tax Benefits: Premiums paid up to Rs. 15,000 are allowed as deductions under section 80D of the Income Tax Act. 
  This policy aims at offering adequate and affordable health care to the elderly and shields them from the financial implications of their medical bills. 

3. United India Senior Citizen Health Insurance

United India Senior Citizen Health Insurance is a product that is designed to cater for the health needs of senior citizens. This scheme is provided by United India Insurance Company and is one of the best examples of how the government is trying to make health care affordable for senior citizens. 

Key Features: 

• Entry Age: The policy is offered to the policyholders who are between the ages of 61 and 80 years. 
• Coverage: The sum insured is available in the limit of Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 3 lakh. It includes costs of hospitalisation for treatments or surgeries that take more than 24 hours, and domiciliary hospitalisation where the stay is more than three days. 

• Additional Benefits: The policy reimburses expenses incurred on Ayurvedic treatments if the treatment is taken in a government approved centre. There is a family discount of 5% on the total premium for the insured and his/her spouse, dependent children or dependent parents. 

   This scheme makes it possible for elderly persons to be accorded an opportunity to access health care services that are complete and this in turn helps to improve on their health and economic status. 

4. New India Assurance Company Health Insurance 

Another major product of New India Assurance Health Insurance is the Senior Citizen Mediclaim Policy. This policy is designed for the people within the age of 60 and 80 years and has several advantageous options. 

Key Features: 

• Coverage: The policyholders can choose the sum insured amount from Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 1 crore. 5 lakh. The policy offers coverage for pre-existing diseases after 18 months of waiting period and the pre and post hospitalisation expenses are covered for 30 and 60 days respectively. 
• Premium Discounts: There is a 10% premium discount if the spouse is included in the policy. Also, for an extra premium, conditions such as diabetes and hypertension can be covered after 18 months of the policy’s effective date. 
  This policy is one of the key strategies that the government has put in place to ensure that the elderly are financially secure and have access to adequate health care services. 

Conclusion 

The Senior Citizen Health Insurance Schemes launched by the Government of India for senior citizens are very useful in protecting the health of the elderly. These schemes not only offer adequate and sound protection but also guarantee that the elderly can seek medical treatment without any concern. These government interventions are a clear indication that the government is determined to enhance health equality and ensure that the elderly population is able to live their lives without worrying about the ever-rising costs of healthcare. To the senior citizens and their families, these schemes are not just insurance, but a ray of hope, a guarantee, and a chance to live a better life.

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