National Health Authority (NHA) recently organized a two-day Southern Region Review Meeting in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu, where they announced the launch of the new version of Health Benefit Package (HBP) 2022 under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) scheme. This new version has added 365 new procedures, bringing the total package count to 1949. Differential pricing is also being introduced for the first time under the scheme, based on the type of city and level of care.
The HBP 2022, which is the latest version, will replace the previous versions of the HBP, namely HBP 1.0 (Sept 2018), HBP 2.0 (Nov 2019), HBP 2.1 (Nov 2022), and HBP 2.2 (Nov 2021).
During the event, NHA also announced the roll-out of a new initiative of patient classification systems through ICD-11 (International classification of disease) and ICHI (International Classification of Health Intervention) for the AB PM-JAY scheme. Additionally, the pilot launch of Diagnosis Related Grouping (DRG) will be rolled out in 5 states of Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Kerala, Maharashtra, and Meghalaya. AB PM-JAY will be the first insurance scheme in India to provide payment mechanism through DRG.
Tamil Nadu Health Minister Shri Ma Subramanian attended the event on April 7, 2022, and felicitated the senior dignitaries on behalf of the Government of Tamil Nadu. The review meeting was chaired by Dr. R S Sharma, CEO, NHA. Addressing the event, Dr. R S Sharma, CEO NHA lauded the extent of contribution made by the Southern Zone towards the successful implementation of AB PM-JAY.
The Southern Region Review Meeting was the 3rd edition of the Regional Review Meeting, covering the Southern States/ UTs viz. Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana. Previously, NHA had organized a similar Regional Review Meeting covering the States and UTs of the North and East zones to bring together various key stakeholders to deliberate on the aspects related to the implementation of both AB PM-JAY and ABDM schemes.
Various senior government officials who participated in the event include Shri G. U. Ahmed Financial Advisor NHA, Dr. J. Radhakrishnan Pr. Secretary (Health & Family Welfare), Tamil Nadu, Dr. P. Senthil Kumar Pr. Secretary & OSD, Health & Family Welfare Department Govt. of Tamil Nadu, Shri Anil Kumar Singhal Pr. Secretary (H&FW) Govt. of Andhra Pradesh, Shri S.A.M. Rizvi, Pr. Secretary (HM&FW) Govt. of Telangana, Dr. Ratan Kelkar CEO SHA Kerala, Shri D. Randeep Commissioner Health Govt. of Karnataka, Dr. Darez Ahmed, Mission Director (NHM) Govt. of Tamil Nadu, Shri Amit Satija Health Secretary Lakshadweep, Mr. C. Udaya Kumar Secretary Health Puducherry, Shri J. Nivas, Commissioner Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh, Shri Vinay Chand CEO SHA Andhra Pradesh, Dr. S. Uma Project Director/CEO SHA Tamil Nadu & Mrs. V Boobalakani Deputy Resident Commissioner (DRC) Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) is a flagship central scheme launched by the government of India in 2018. The scheme aims to provide financial protection and quality healthcare services to more than 100 million families in India through a health insurance cover of up to INR 5,00,000 per family per year
Overall, the Southern Region Review meeting organised by NHA was a success in bringing together key stakeholders from the Southern states and UTs to discuss the progress and challenges of implementing the AB PM-JAY and ABDM schemes. The launch of the new version of Health Benefit Package (HBP) 2022 under the AB PM-JAY scheme with added procedures and differential pricing based on city type and level of care is a significant step towards providing affordable and accessible healthcare to all. The introduction of patient classification systems through ICD-11 and ICHI and the pilot launch of Diagnosis Related Grouping (DRG) in 5 states is expected to further streamline the healthcare delivery and payment mechanism. It is hoped that these initiatives will help achieve the goal of universal healthcare coverage in India and improve the health outcomes of the population, especially the vulnerable and underprivileged sections.
