The Hon’ble Finance Minister in his Budget Speech for 2016-17 on 29.02.2016 announced that “Government will launch a new health protection scheme which will provide health cover up to Rs. One lakh per family belonging to poor and economically weak families”. A proposal in this regard is under consideration of the Government.

For Senior Citizens of age 60 years and above, an additional top-up package up to Rs. 30,000 per senior citizen per year, has already been implemented w.e.f 01.04.2016.

The Scheme is proposed to be launched w.e.f. 01.04.2017.

The Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Sh J P Nadda stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha here today.