IRDAI panel to advise on universal health plan

The Insurance Regulatory & Development Authority Of India (Irdai) has constituted a high-level committee to draw a road map for universal health insurance coverage. The panel, which includes a representative from the National Health Authority and noted physicians like Devi Shetty and Naresh Trehan, has also been asked to recommend a universal standard product that is basic and simple.

“It is necessary for every family in the country to have health insurance cover. The various elements in the health insurance value chain must be visited periodically in order to provide an enabling environment toachieve the goal of universalisation of health insurance in the country. Towards this end, a ‘Health Insurance Consultative Committee’ is hereby constituted,” Irdai said in its circular.

The committee will be chaired by Irdai member Rakesh Joshi. Other non-insurance industry members include National Association of Healthcare Providers India president Alexander Thomas, Max Healthcare senior VP Arati Verma, and Swasth Foundation CEO Ajay Nair. The 15-member committee will have representation for life, non-life and health insurance companies.

According to health insurance industry officials, the challenge is to cover the missing middle – the population that is not covered by the government’s national health insurance schemes nor private health insurance nor an employer’s group health cover.