Amaravati: The Andhra Pradesh cabinet, led by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, has approved a proposal to invite tenders from insurance companies to extend a universal health policy offering healthcare coverage up to ₹25 lakh, Information and Public Relations Minister K Parthasarathy announced on Thursday.
Universal Health Policy Under Hybrid Model
Speaking at the Secretariat, Parthasarathy said the scheme will benefit over five crore people across the state. The policy will operate in a hybrid mode under the Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY – Dr NTR Vaidya Seva scheme:
- Insurance companies will provide coverage up to ₹2.5 lakh.
- The Dr NTR Vaidya Seva Trust will cover expenses up to ₹25 lakh.
Patients’ treatment approvals will be granted within six hours of hospital admission, and all financial transactions will be settled within 15 days. A control room under the NTR Vaidya Seva Trust will monitor services, while patients can track their case details using a QR code, the minister added.
Push for Medical Education
The cabinet also approved the completion of 10 medical colleges, part of the 17 sanctioned by the Centre during the previous YSRCP government. While only seven were completed earlier, the remaining 10 will now be constructed in two phases to start admissions by the 2027–28 academic year.
Waiver of Stamp Duty in Amaravati
In another move, the cabinet cleared the waiver of stamp duty for educational and healthcare institutions allotted land in Amaravati. Parthasarathy said this decision would attract top institutions to the greenfield capital, boosting both education and healthcare services.
