Published By: Admin

Centre Approves Health Insurance Scheme for Everyone Over 70: Role of Technology in Transforming Ayushman Bharat Initiative

India is gradually unlocking the potential of healthcare through implementation of technology to improve overall healthcare access.

The Union government has sanctioned the health coverage for everyone above 70 under the national insurance scheme Ayushman Bharat. Chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Union Cabinet said in a statement: “With this approval, all senior citizens of the age 70 years and above irrespective of their socio- economic status would be eligible to avail the benefits of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY). The eligible senior citizens would be issued a new distinct card under AB PM-JAY”.

The free cover of worth Rs 5 lakh will benefit 6 crore senior citizens from 4.5 crore families. In such a populous country like India, it's impossible to track and provide healthcare to people flawlessly. Here comes the importance effective technologies. Let's understand how advanced technologies are helping both government and citizens under this scheme.

Easily Accessible Digital System:

Now, it's impossible to track paper-based medical records like prescriptions, lab reports, discharge summaries, or health insurance papers. They may get torn, faded or even misplaced. Thus, it's always better to keep track of data digitally. For a comprehensive, flawless, and efficient healthcare service across the nation, Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) use web-based portals, mobile applications, along with essential technologies to manage and process the data. Digital healthcare technologies can significantly improve the access, particularly in remote areas. Currently, the government is working on Telemedicine and remote monitoring facilities.

Unique Health ID:

With Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) number or Unique Health ID (UHID), a single digital locker is created to store patient’s health records. This provides an unique opportunity for patients to access doctors and labs 24x7.

Credit - @MoHFW_INDIA X handle

Use of Artificial Intelligence:

The Government have started implementing Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) to detect any unprecedented or suspicious transactions under AB-PMJAY. These advanced technologies are used to prevent and detection healthcare frauds. It also ensures eligible persons to get the benefits. Technology partners of the Indian government are focused on creating an anti-fraud ecosystem using AI/ML.

Scope of Improvement:

Many countries had previously attempted this type of e-health initiatives, which have received a mixed bag of responses. In UK, National Health Service (NHS) was one of the first digital system created to make health records of patients accessible to doctors. However, this project faced failure due to concerns about data confidentiality.

Blockchain is a robust technology to secure data sharing and access among multiple parties. India, the most populous country in the world, might face privacy and data security issues.

Thus, use of blockchain technology will help both patients and government. Here, the Health ID can function as a private key for encrypt and decrypt data shared between a sender and receiver. Blockchain can also bring transparency in digital healthcare system across the supply chain, verification of credentials, insurance claim.

Poor internet speeds in rural areas is another area of improvement.

Tech Startup Opportunities through AB PM-JAY:

The AB PM-JAY is the largest publicly funded health assurance scheme globally. The Service providers have an excellent opportunity to address nation's rising healthcare demands by associating with ABDM to build, implement, as well as maintain digital assets.

Startups in this domain should be an exciting idea. Currently, India has over 5000 health tech startups. The market size of health tech sector is predicted to reach USD 10 billion by 2025, while the Telemedicine industry is anticipated to touch USD 5 billion by next year.

Credit - @AyushmanNHA X handle

Union Health Minister JP Nadda said: "India believes that digital public goods should be democratized and shared freely in the world. In continuation, India is offering technical and financial support through the Global Initiative on Digital Health (GIDH) to countries willing to adopt our customized India's digital public goods.”

At least 7.37 crore hospital admissions have been covered by this scheme, where 49% were women beneficiaries. The government report mentioned “public has benefited to the extent of over ₹ 1 lakh crore under the scheme”.