Minister Paudel promises to increase health insurance coverage to Rs 500,000

KATHMANDU, AUGUST 30: Minister for Health and Population Pradip Paudel pledged to increase the coverage of the government’s health insurance scheme to Rs 500,000 in the near future.

Paudel made this remark at the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) yesterday between Biratnagar-based Koshi Hospital and Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital for cooperation.

Cancer Hospital Director Ujjwal Chalise and Koshi Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr. Rabin Raj Singh signed the MoU, stating that Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital will begin providing oncology services within a month with the help of six to ten specialists.

Paudel, who was appointed Health Minister about one-and-a-half months ago, also committed to allocating Rs 31 billion in a lump sum to boost insurance coverage.

'Health facilities must be easily accessible, free, and of high quality to ensure the presence of the government,' Paudel said.

The government’s health insurance programme was first introduced in 2017 by then-Health Minister Gagan Thapa.

Initially, the programme provided health facilities worth up to Rs 50,000 per year in exchange for an annual premium of Rs 2,500 for a family of five.

Currently, the coverage and premium have been raised to Rs 100,000 and Rs 3,500, respectively. A family with more than five members has to pay Rs 700 extra per additional member to receive an additional benefit of Rs 20,000.

The scheme covers medicine, check-ups, and counseling.

The facility is provided by designated health centers across the country. However, some hospitals have considered stopping the insurance-based service after the government failed to reimburse them on time."