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New Delhi — In a significant move to enhance healthcare accessibility for Persons with Disabilities (PwD), the Central Government has launched several new initiatives. These schemes, including the Niramaya Health Insurance Scheme, Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri-Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), and the National Policy for Rare Diseases (NPRD), 2021, aim to provide comprehensive and affordable medical care.
Niramaya Health Insurance Scheme 🩺
The Niramaya Health Insurance Scheme offers crucial financial support to PwD. It provides a health insurance coverage of up to ₹1 lakh per individual annually, without requiring a pre-insurance medical test. This policy is a key step towards ensuring that individuals with disabilities can access necessary healthcare without the hurdle of extensive medical evaluations.
PM-JAY Extends Coverage to Vulnerable Families 👨👩👧👦
The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri-Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) has expanded its reach to include more vulnerable populations. The scheme now offers cashless health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary hospitalization. This benefit is available to approximately 12 crore families identified in the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC-2011), with a specific criterion targeting families with a disabled member and no able-bodied adult.
Financial Aid for Rare Diseases 🏥
The National Policy for Rare Diseases (NPRD), 2021, addresses the financial burden associated with treating rare diseases. It provides financial support of up to ₹50 lakhs for the treatment of 63 identified rare diseases at 14 designated Centres of Excellence. This initiative is designed to significantly reduce the out-of-pocket expenses for affected families.
Insurance Regulations for Better Inclusivity
In a related development, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) issued a Master Circular on Health Insurance on May 29, 2024. This directive mandates insurers to offer products, add-ons, and riders that cater to a wide range of medical conditions, including pre-existing and chronic diseases, ensuring more inclusive insurance options for all individuals.
Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Shri Prataprao Jadhav, provided this information in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha. The schemes were informed by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan).
Disclaimer: This news article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or financial advice. For specific details regarding eligibility and benefits, please refer to the official government websites and contact the respective departments.
Reference: Press Information Bureau (PIB), Government of India. (2025, August 12). Steps taken for Persons with Disabilities. Press Release. Retrieved from PIB Delhi.
