Introduction
The current central government has introduced insurance schemes exclusively for PwD under the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan (Accessible India Campaign).
Nodal Agencies
- Department of empowerment of PwD
- Ministry of social justice and empowerment
Niramaya Health Insurance
- Scheme available all over India except J&K
- Insurance cover of up to 1 lac to PwDs
- Single premium across age bands
- PwDs with disabilities under the National Trust Act are eligible
- No need for pre-medical tests before enrolling in the policy
- OPD treatment facility available including medical check-up, tests, medicines, corrective surgeries and therapies
- Alternate medicine to reduce disability impact
- Covers transportation costs
- Treatment took from any hospital
- Insurance scheme on reimbursement basis only
Swavlamban Health Insurance Scheme
- New India Assurance Company is the implementing agency
- Uniform premium of 357 rupees per PwD person through out the country
- Sum insured is 2 lacs for a year and will cover PwDs in the age group of 0 to 65 years
- OPD benefits include 10000 p.a per PwD and 3000 p.a for mentally retarded people
- PwD family including spouse and up to two children are covered by this scheme
- No premedical tests involved
- Cashless treatment to be taken in New India Assurance created network of hospitals for free treatment under the policy
- Claims must be made to New India Assurance with PwD certificate
- Swavlamban excludes people with autism, cerebral palsy and Multiple disabilities
Gharaunda Scheme
- To provide basic medical care facilities for life long to PwDs
- Professional doctors to offer quality health care services
- Scheme available throughout India except for J&K
- Every Gharaunda centre to have a maximum of 30 PwDs including LIG and above LIG PwDs in the ratio of 1:1
- Payment to be received annually from family members or institutions or guardians
- Covers all adult PwDs included in the National Trust Act
Vikaas Scheme
- It is a medical day care scheme for welfare of PwDs
- Daycare offered to PwDs for a minimum of 6 hours daily (8 AM to 6 PM)
- Maximum batch size of a Vikaas centre is 39
- Day care centres to be opened for a minimum of 21 days in a month
- Minimum attendance fixed at 15 days
- Covers medical treatment of the disability and other health care services
- Scheme available throughout India except for J&K
- National Trust will fund the PwD
Conclusion
- GOI has introduced a slew of measures under the Accessible India campaign
- This gives importance and recognises the importance of PwDs in the society
- The contribution of PwDs to the society is on the rise
- The enrollment of PwDs in the government jobs is also on the rise
- The above health insurance schemes will boost the confidence of PwDs and enable them to live with self-esteem in the society
- The hospital and medical expenses of the PwDs are eliminated to the core with these schemes
