The Senior Citizen Health Insurance Scheme (SCHIS) is a government-funded health insurance program in India specifically designed for elderly individuals who do not have any other form of health coverage. It is a component of the Ayushman Bharat - National Health Protection Mission, which seeks to ensure affordable access to healthcare for all individuals, particularly those who are poor and vulnerable. The SCHIS aims to offer cost-effective and high-quality healthcare to senior citizens so as to decrease their out-of-pocket expenses for medical treatment, and enhance their utilisation of healthcare services.
The program provides health insurance coverage for senior citizens aged 60 and above a health insurance scheme for those living below the poverty line. Eligibility is determined based on the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) database, which identifies individuals who are in need. The program also includes certain occupational groups, such as street vendors and domestic workers.
Senior Citizen Health Insurance Scheme: Coverage
The Senior Citizen Health Insurance Scheme (SCHIS) is a government initiative that aims to improve the well-being of elderly individuals by providing them with affordable and high-quality healthcare services.
Under this scheme, senior citizens receive ₹5 lakh per year for hospitalisation expenses, including cashless treatment in both public and private hospitals. The coverage includes a wide range of diseases, including pre-existing conditions, and there is no waiting period or co-payment required. Beneficiaries do not have to pay any premium or enrollment fee.
The SCHIS provides coverage for surgeries, organ transplants, cancer, and heart diseases, and this coverage can be used by eligible family members in both public and private hospitals.
Senior Citizen Health Insurance Scheme: How to enrol
To enrol in the Senior Citizen Health Insurance Scheme (SCHIS), you must provide certain documents:
Aadhaar card or government-issued identification
Proof of age
Proof of residence
Proof of income
Passport-size photograph
You can visit a Common Service Centre or verify your eligibility and obtain a smart card for SCHIS. There is a registration fee of ₹30 for the smart card. Check your eligibility online by entering your mobile number and Aadhaar number on the official Ayushman Bharat - National Health Protection Mission website and verifying your identity with an OTP. Then, search for your name in the list of beneficiaries.
Senior Citizen Health Insurance Scheme: How to avail benefit using your smart card
To avail of the benefit under SCHIS, do the following:
Present your smart card at the hospital
Verify your identity using your fingerprint
The hospital will check your eligibility
The balance amount available in your smart card
If you have sufficient balance, the hospital will admit you and provide the required treatment. The hospital will claim the reimbursement from the insurance company or the State Health Agency (SHA) depending on the implementation model of the scheme in your state.
Call the toll-free number 1800-111-565 or 14555 to get information about the nearest empanelled hospital under Senior Citizen Health Insurance Scheme (SCHIS).
