Health Insurance and Ayushman Bharat
Gaps and Criticisms
Awareness, uneven state adoption, claim delays and financial protection gaps for outpatient costs limit the scheme's impact.
Where it falls short.
Awareness
Many eligible families do not know their entitlements.
Outpatient care
Medicines and diagnostics, a big part of spending, aren’t covered.
State differences
Some states run their own bigger schemes; a few opted out.
Evidence
Studies find mixed impact on reducing out-of-pocket spending.
A pharmacy bill
A family covered for hospitalisation still pays for months of medicines at home.
Judging success only by cards issued
Actual use and protection matter.
Key takeaways
- Awareness is limited.
- Outpatient costs remain.
- States differ.
- Evidence on impact is mixed.
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