Extension of Ayushman Bharat Scheme to Transgenders

On 24^th August, 2022, the National Health Authority (NHA) under Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Department of Social Justice and Empowerment today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide inclusive and composite health package for transgenders under Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY.

Key Points of MoU: Coverage: The scheme would cover all transgenders not receiving such benefits from other centre/state sponsored schemes. It will extend all healthcare benefits to transgender persons (holding a transgender certificate issued by the National Portal for transgender persons) across the country.

• Fund: The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) will fund Rs.5 lakh insurance cover per transgender beneficiary per annum.
• Specific Packages: A comprehensive master package is being prepared for transgenders, including existing AB PM-JAY packages and specific packages (Sex Reassignment Surgery (SRS) and treatment).
• Change in Definition: The government has changed the definition of the family (health cards issued to trans-persons will not cover their family members) to provide the total yearly coverage to transgender persons.

Impact: Availing Special Healthcare: The move will help availing special healthcare benefits to the transgender community, ushering a transformational reform in the society.

• Social Inclusion: The transgender community suffers stigma and exclusion and provisioning of healthcare services under AB-PMJAY is a significant and firm step towards an inclusive society.