Socio-economic correlates of health insurance Coverage in India

Present study explicitly talks about the health insurance coverage in India by socioeconomic characteristics of households. Further this study describes the type of health scheme or health insurance adopted by households in India. Data for the present study was drawn from the latest round of the Indian Demographic and Health Survey, known as the National Family Health Survey. Findings of the study revealed quite a low coverage of health insurance. Low coverage of any insurance scheme has been observed in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Coverage of any health insurance scheme was more among households in urban areas and among those having high economic status. Employment state insurance scheme, community health insurance program and other health insurance through employer were adopted more by the poor households, while private health insurance schemes seem to be most operational and adopted by rich households. With the matter of low level of health insurance coverage in India this study highly recommend the policies and programmes that promote awareness and proper knowledge about insurance schemes and their benefits for Indian citizens. Additionally, share of public financing on health should also be increased to improve the public health facilities.