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Integration of databases to boost AB PM-JAY coverage

Posted on February 15, 2022 by admin1  355

In Context

  • The National Health Authority (NHA) is working to integrate the database of Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011 beneficiaries with the National Food Security Act (NFSA) portal so that beneficiaries can seek information regarding their entitlements under the AB PM-JAY using their ration card number.

Major Points 

  • NHA has collaborated with various ministries implementing welfare schemes to strengthen the different aspects of scheme implementation including inter alia beneficiary awareness campaigns, beneficiary database (SECC 2011) enrichment etc. 
  • The beneficiary database enrichment under AB PM-JAY would mean adding additional parameters to the database for ease of search. 
    • The majority of AB PM-JAY beneficiaries from SECC 2011 are also eligible for benefits under National Food Security Portal (NFSA). 
  • NHA is also working on a proposal to use Fair Price Shops or Ration shops for providing information related to the scheme and entitlement under the scheme to eligible beneficiaries. 
    • This will provide an additional avenue to beneficiaries along with the existing Common Service Center for card creation. This will make the beneficiary identification process very convenient.
  • However, the existing beneficiary data available with various Government welfare schemes can be meaningfully utilized only if a common identifier is available. 
    • Aadhaar being a common identity across the majority of Government databases will enable this integration.  
    • Further, Aadhaar also ensures certainty regarding beneficiary identification through e-KYC. e-KYC enables paperless delivery of services in a targeted manner.

Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri–Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY)

  • The NHA is mandated with the implementation of the AB PM-JAY. 
  • The scheme provides health assurance of up to ?5 Lakhs per family per year, for secondary and tertiary care-related hospitalizations. 
  • The 10.74 Crore beneficiary families under AB PM-JAY have been identified from the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) of 2011 basis 6 deprivation and 11 occupational criteria across rural and urban areas, respectively

Features 

  • It is the world’s largest health insurance/ assurance scheme fully financed by the government and the cost of implementation is shared between the Central and State Governments.
  • The beneficiary families under Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) have been identified from the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) of 2011 on the basis of select deprivation and occupational criteria across rural and urban areas. 
  • It is a completely cashless and paperless scheme.
  • There is no cap on family size, age or gender.
  • It is an entitlement-based scheme. No enrolment or registration of beneficiaries is required to avail benefits under the scheme. 
    • The beneficiary may directly visit the empanelled hospital (public or private) to avail of cashless treatment benefits. 

Aims and Objectives

  • To accelerate health system preparedness for immediate responsiveness for early prevention, detection and management, with a focus on health infrastructure development including for Paediatric Care and with measurable outcomes.

Source:TH

 
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