Healthcare for all: Do not rely on insurance alone

Copyright © HT Digital Streams Limit all rights reserved. Opinion Livemint 3 min Read 16 Apr 2025, 07:30 AM IST As estimates suggest, the cost of medical assistance increased annually in double digits. (Mint) Summary The government’s attempt to facilitate health insurance claims is welcome. However, for fair outcomes, India must gradually shift its welfare clamp to high quality public services. It can also provide an actuarial benefit. For many people who have had the accident to use the coverage for health insurance, its problems are embedded in memory. Don’t do us wrong. The concept is excellent in itself. But the process of obtaining demands and the tension on which part may have to pay out of your own pocket is sources of anxiety that need relief, especially if it contributes to the need of a medical crisis in the family. It therefore considers good news that the Government of India is taking further steps to facilitate the formalities. As reported by Mint, it intends to make it mandatory for health insurers to approve valid cashless treatment requests within an hour and the final claim of the claim within three. The latter should help alleviate patients who are suitable for discharge from hospitals, but wait until the accounts are completed. The delays are of such a nature that stories abound for patients who feel like hostages, with their canule insertions kept in their place until the last rupee is paid. Also read: Rahul Matthan: Data-rich insurance models can fail above a point for those who do not have the benefit of cashless claims Non-in which hospitals care for the details-the government promises to standardize application forms. In addition, the National Health Eise Exchange, an online platform designed to smooth the processing of health claims by insurers. All of this runs with Pradhan-Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-Jay), a government fund that ensures a hard assurance of a £ 5 Lakh health insurance. The center recently expanded its coverage to all citizens over 70, regardless of the economic status. For multitudes who cannot afford private hospitalization for an emergency, the PM-Jay is an important enabler. It also prevents healthcare liabilities from pushing families into poverty or debt and thus serving a broad economic purpose. An Indian School of Business Study has shown that health-related loans, reduced precautions and improved loan repissions have reduced by borrowers, thanks to PM-Jay. Insurance is crucial in a scenario of high inflation in healthcare, which tends to surpass the general cost of living in India. Also read: PM-Jay: A successful model for the delivery of healthcare and financial security, as estimates suggests, has increased the cost of medical assistance in double digits annually. This is reflected in the health insurance premiums that we pay, which has almost doubled for the past four years. And then there are many Indians who have no coverage. Policy -wise should not allow us to detect the larger issue at stake. India needs to take another clear call about its long-horizon road to the goal of health for all. The dependence on insurance shows a preference for the US model, with a large market of expensive private services supported by fee-picking insurers. The law of large numbers that enable companies to take advantage of risk pool work works even better when health risks are directly adopted by a national service. In theory, broader actuarial data makes room for lower costs. In essence, it is the European welfare model, with the state all of high quality care that is free or strongly subsidized. Also read: The princess who built India’s healthcare system with India’s public health services, abandoned at its best, and impedes our top institutes, has used welfare an indirect approach that can be too ugly and expensive if we go along. We must gradually shift our focus from state -paid insurance to health care provided by the state, which contradicts the quality of the private sector. An upgrade of public health infrastructure will also serve a broader goal. After all, equal access to healthcare is the key to a fair society, just as with education. Catch all the business news, market news, news reports and latest news updates on Live Mint. Download the Mint News app to get daily market updates. More Topics #Health Insurance #Healthcare #AayUSHMAN BHARAT MINT SPECIAL