The major proportion of the Indian population lives in rural areas and they do not have proper medical facilities because 75% of specialized and better services are located in urban areas. Check the slideshow to know how we can make Health Insurance more accessible to Rural Areas.

1. HEALTH INSURANCE ACCESS IN
RURAL AREAS
ARTIVATIC DATA LABS PVT LTD 2017

2. The major proportion of the Indian population lives in rural areas and
they do not have proper medical facilities because 75% of specialized
and better services are located in urban areas. The rise in healthcare
demand has increased the cost of the healthcare system to the extent
that specialized care is beyond the reach of a common Indian man.
Over 25% of hospitalized Indians fall below the poverty line because
of hospital expenses. A study carried out by FICCI and Consultancy
Company Ernst and Young (E and Y) reports that, over the next 10
years, healthcare spending in India will double.
To cope up with this, health insurance is the better option.
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3. IMPACT OF HEALTH INSURANCE IN
RURAL AREAS
The Planning Commission in 2012 stated that the people below the poverty line
in India account for 250 million, of which 200 million people live in the rural
areas, it is found that this is due to the increase in their medical expenditures.
The majority of our population doesn’t use health insurance schemes mainly
because they are unaware of its importance and feel it’s an extra burden.
National Sample Survey Organization (NSSO) found out that the main reason for
the indebtedness among the poor and the middle-class people is the escalating
medical costs. A large proportion of people either avail loans or sell their assets
in order to settle the colossal medical expenditures incurred.
How can this be solved? This is where Health Insurances plays its role.
Health insurance can play a crucial role in preventing people from the burden of
debts. Insurance can provide them support at the time of emergency and needs.
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4. ISSUES OF HEALTH INSURANCE IN
RURAL AREASIn a study conducted by J Epidemiol Glob Health of 33 respondents located in 8 villages in southern
India, it was found that those who were interested in health insurance policies were willing to pay Rs.
1500 ($27) as the model annual insurance premium.
From, the above study we can conclude that if the premium of the insurance schemes is made
feasible, people are willing to opt for such insurance products.
Only 10% of Indians have some form of health insurance, mostly inadequate. This low proportion
might be due to the lack of awareness about health insurance.
In a study conducted out in five villages of rural field practice area of a medical college in Pune,
Maharashtra. The pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect the information related to awareness,
attitude, and practices about health insurance from the head of the family. A total of 70 families
were randomly selected for the study. Of these, 46 (65.71%) were joint families and the remaining 24
(34.28) were nuclear families. Only 11 (15.71%) families had heard about health insurance, while 59
(84.29%) had never heard about it. Among those who had heard, the source information was mainly
an insurance agent (63.63%). Only 2 (18.18%) had information about government health insurance
schemes. After a discussion about the need for health insurance, 60 (85.71%) commented that it is
important to have health insurance for the individuals as well as families. The majority had given
preference to family health insurance 57 (81.42%); 22 (31.42%) opined that health insurance is a
governments responsibility and it should be given to all; and only 6 (8.57%) actually had a health
insurance policy.
©️ ARTIVATIC DATA LABS PVT LTD 2017

5. As the health and development of a country go hand in
hand, making these insurance products accessible to
the rural areas is the need of the hour. The poor and
rural people can take advantage of health insurance
which is an expanding field today. They should be not
burdened with high premium rather it should feel as a
means of protection for them. The policies and features
needs to be in a simpler way that they can understand
it fully and reap its benefits.
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6. ©️ ARTIVATIC DATA LABS PVT LTD 2017
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