Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana

Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana

The Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) a centrally sponsored health insurance scheme was launched in 2007 and operationalized in April, 2008. This scheme has been transferred from Ministry of Labour and Employment to Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on “as is where is” basis with the effect from 01.04.2015.  At present the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) is being implemented in 19 States/UTs through insurance mode. The scheme is being funded, both by Centre as well as by the implementing State, on the approved premium. Funds allocation during the last three years and current year i.e. 2012-13 to 2015-16 for release of central share on premium under RSBY is as given below:-

Sl. No.	Year	Budget Estimate (In crore)
1	2012-13	1568.56
2	2013-14	1265.00
3	2014-15	1319.30
4	2015-16	700.00
Total		4852.86

An evaluation study was made by GIZ when RSBY was being implemented by the Ministry of Labour and Employment. Key findings are given below:-

Findings of Evaluation Study by Gesellchaft Fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) on Implementation of RBSY

i. High levels of awareness on eligibility.  However, detailed information about the scheme was found to be lacking.

ii.                 The non-enrolees had to spend more that Rs.17, 000/ per year on an average for hospitalization while RSBY enrolled have spent very less out of pocket payment.

iii.               Access to private hospitals was noted in more than 70 percent of the respondents, both enrolees and non-enrolees.

iv.               90% of the respondents mentioned being highly satisfied with the RSBY Scheme.

Total 3, 68, 36,005 beneficiary families have been covered under RSBY Scheme against the target of 7, 30, 56,515 families in the states implementing RSBY.   Reasons for low enrolment in some States are due to implementation of the scheme by the States in phased manner. The Health Insurance Scheme for weavers by using RSBY platform is implemented only in the State of Tamil Nadu and the budget allocation for the same is made by Ministry of Textiles.

Approval for continuation of RSBY has been granted to the implementing states as required by them. Approval has also been granted to the states for floating of fresh tenders wherever required. All implementing states have been directed to take necessary action in claiming release of central share on premium so that there is no delay in release of central share. 

The Health Minister, Shri J P Nadda stated this in a written reply in the Lok Sabha here today(11-12-2015).