Andhra Pradesh to Launch Family Health Insurance Scheme

The Andhra Pradesh government plans to introduce a family health insurance scheme in the state from January 1. A family can avail of the scheme by paying Rs 100 premium per head.

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said that Andhra Pradesh will be the first state to implement such a scheme. He added that the World Health Organisation, Bill Gates Foundation and other noted health organizations will be involved in the scheme. He promised that best global health insurance practices will be introduced.

Officials have been asked to complete premium collection and enrollment within two months to launch the scheme that is estimated to cost Rs 160.56 crore. They said necessary allocations for the scheme would be sanctioned in the next budget. The Chief Minister plans to launch Swasta Vidya Vahini at 222 places to provide nutritious food to students in the state on December 24. He called the two schemes a new year gift.

Four crore people separately get free medical services in the state under NTR Vidya Seva while 16.13 lakh government employees have access to free health services.