Report reveals deep insurance gaps: Why differently-abled individuals need Ayushman Bharat coverage

New Delhi: The National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP) on Thursday urged the government to extend Ayushman Bharat health insurance coverage to persons with disabilities, highlighting significant gaps in access to affordable healthcare.

Releasing a white paper in the national capital, the organisation noted that 80 per cent of persons with disabilities in India do not have any form of health insurance.

The report exposed deep structural inequities that continue to deprive nearly 16 crore Indians with disabilities of equitable access to both public and private health insurance.

“Even as the government expands Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) to cover all senior citizens aged 70 and above, persons with disabilities remain conspicuously excluded despite facing equal, if not greater, health vulnerabilities,” said Arman Ali, Executive Director of NCPEDP. He called for the immediate inclusion of persons with disabilities in Ayushman Bharat to ensure comprehensive and affordable coverage.

Manmeet Kaur Nanda, Additional Secretary in the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), said all government schemes are being integrated with the Unique Disability ID (UDID) system.

The white paper, based on a nationwide survey conducted between 2023 and 2025 covering more than 5,000 persons with disabilities across 34 states and Union Territories, found that over 50 per cent of applications from disabled individuals are rejected. The highest rejection rates were among people with autism, psychosocial disabilities, intellectual disabilities, and blood disorders such as thalassaemia.

High insurance premiums, inaccessible digital platforms, and limited awareness of available schemes were among the other barriers identified.

Nanda stressed the need for “strong convergence” between the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) and the DEPwD to streamline processes and ensure inclusivity.

“Ayushman Bharat supports persons with disabilities, but it does not cover the full spectrum of health-related expenditures they face. While universal health coverage does not mean free health services for everyone, it must ensure equal access to quality and affordable healthcare,” said Indu Bhushan, former CEO of Ayushman Bharat.

The white paper called for the universal inclusion of persons with disabilities under Ayushman Bharat, without age or income restrictions. It also recommended expanded coverage for mental health, rehabilitation, and assistive technologies, along with the creation of a dedicated Disability Inclusion Committee within IRDAI.

IANS