COVID-19 Treatment To Be Covered Under Ayushman Bharat Scheme: Report

According to an Economic Times report citing an unidentified senior NHA official, the National Health Authority (NHA) has already run its proposal by the Niti Aayog to cover Covid-19 treatment of Ayushman Bharat beneficiaries in private hospitals. The officials further said that NHA is awaiting approval of the governing board for the packages to become operational all over India.

"We have sought urgent approval within two days. The packages should be in place within this week," said an NHA official to ET.

If approved, the those covered under the Ayushman Bharat scheme will be able to get themselves tested for COVID-19 at any empanelled private hospital free of cost. In case a suspected Covid-19 patient has to be isolated in a private hospital, the isolation would also be covered under the scheme.

The treatment cost is expected to be covered under its viral infection packages and additional packages for respiratory distress have been worked out in case the patient needs intensive care in more serious cases.

The Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (PM-JAY) or Ayushman Bharat provides free health coverage at the secondary and tertiary level to over 10.74 crore poor and vulnerable families as per the socio-economic caste census 2011.