Government is planning a national health entitlement card (NHEC) for every citizen

Working towards its aim of providing free healthcare to all, the government is planning a national health entitlement card (NHEC) for every citizen that will guarantee access to a package of essential primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare fully funded by the Centre.

The proposal, finalized by a high-powered expert panel of Planning Commission, talks of covering both in-patient and OPD services free of cost with cashless facility. The health package will focus on the most common and high-impact healthcare requirements.

While the Centre will bear the cost of services offered under the national health package, state governments can add more services at their own cost. The health services can be availed through public sector and contracted private facilities, including NGOs and non-profit agencies.

Service providers, be it public or private, who accept the health card will not provide any services to those willing to pay additional fees either out-of-pocket or through their privately purchased insurance policies. This is being done to keep away those who can pay to avail health services.