Paripoorna Mediclaim Ayush Bima launched for CGHS beneficiaries offering ₹10-20 lakh coverage, Ayush and modern treatments, pre- and post-hospitalization benefits.
Paripoorna Mediclaim Ayush Bima Launched for CGHS Beneficiaries — A Game-Changer in Government Health Coverage
On 14 January 2026, the Ministry of Finance, through the Department of Financial Services (DFS), officially launched the Paripoorna Mediclaim Ayush Bima, an optional health insurance plan designed to strengthen existing medical benefits for Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) beneficiaries. This new product aims to offer broader medical coverage, access to modern treatments, and enhanced financial security for central government employees, pensioners, and their eligible dependents.
The Paripoorna Mediclaim Ayush Bima is introduced as a retail insurance product that complements the comprehensive health services already offered under the CGHS, making it a supplementary option rather than a replacement for existing benefits. Beneficiaries can opt for this scheme voluntarily to receive additional financial protection against major medical expenses.
Key Features of Paripoorna Mediclaim Ayush Bima
The policy offers indemnity-based in-patient hospitalization coverage within India, with two sum-insured options — ₹10 lakh and ₹20 lakh. It allows up to six members per policy, making it suitable for family coverage.
One of the notable features of this plan is the inclusion of Ayush treatments (such as Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy), which are covered up to 100% of the sum insured when hospitalization is required. In addition, modern medical treatments are covered up to 25% of the sum insured, with an optional rider that can extend this coverage up to 100%.
The plan also includes pre-hospitalization coverage for 30 days and post-hospitalization coverage for 60 days, offering extended protection around treatment periods. Beneficiaries can choose co-payment options — 70:30 or 50:50 — between the insurer and the insured, which helps lower premium costs through discounted rates of 28% and 42%, respectively.
How Paripoorna Mediclaim Ayush Bima Enhances CGHS Benefits
While CGHS already provides a wide range of health services, this enhanced insurance plan expands the scope of financial protection by offering cashless treatment across a vast network of empaneled hospitals nationwide. The inclusion of modern treatments and extended coverage offers beneficiaries the flexibility to access quality healthcare without heavy out-of-pocket expenses.
This plan will soon be available for subscription through the New India Assurance Company Limited — one of the government’s flagship public sector insurers — both through offices and their online platform, ensuring ease of access for beneficiaries.
Why This News Is Important
A Significant Expansion of Government Employee Welfare Benefits
The launch of Paripoorna Mediclaim Ayush Bima represents a major step in widening the health security net for central government employees and pensioners beyond existing CGHS provisions. By providing additional insurance cover of up to ₹20 lakh, the government is proactively addressing the rising costs of healthcare and ensuring that beneficiaries have access to comprehensive, cashless treatment options across India.
Promotes Inclusive and Flexible Healthcare Coverage
Unlike mandatory schemes, this plan is optional and flexible — meaning beneficiaries can choose coverage based on their needs and financial capacity. This flexibility is critical for government exam aspirants to understand, as it reflects the government’s approach to welfare driven by choice and empowerment rather than compulsion.
Boosts Financial Protection for Major Medical Events
Modern and specialized treatments often come with a high cost burden. By incorporating modern procedures and Ayush treatments into the coverage, the policy gives beneficiaries greater confidence in managing healthcare expenses, which is an essential concern in public service jobs where family welfare is a priority.
Relevance for Competitive Exams
For aspirants preparing for UPSC, PSCs, SSC, Railways, Banking and Defence exams, this scheme is an important current affairs topic under Government Policies, Social Welfare, and Economic Reforms. Understanding such government initiatives helps in General Studies papers, especially GS-II and GS-III, where questions often focus on policy analysis and public welfare.
Historical Context
Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS): A Brief Background
Introduced in 1954, the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) is one of India’s flagship healthcare programs providing comprehensive medical services to serving and retired central government employees and their dependents. CGHS covers OPD treatment, hospitalization, laboratory investigations, medicines, and specialist consultations through a network of health units and empaneled hospitals across the country.
Evolving Healthcare Needs and Policy Shift
Over the decades, the cost of medical care — especially for advanced and specialized treatments — has risen sharply. While CGHS continues to offer subsidized care, there was a clear need to provide additional financial cushioning for major medical procedures and hospitalization. The Indian government’s move to introduce supplementary insurance schemes like Paripoorna Mediclaim Ayush Bima reflects a policy shift towards risk management and financial protection, enhancing welfare measures without diluting core service delivery under CGHS.
Key Takeaways from “Paripoorna Mediclaim Ayush Bima Launched for CGHS Beneficiaries”
| S.No. | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|
| 1 | Paripoorna Mediclaim Ayush Bima is a new optional health insurance plan for CGHS beneficiaries launched by the Ministry of Finance on 14 January 2026. |
| 2 | The plan offers sum insured options of ₹10 lakh and ₹20 lakh and allows up to six members per policy. |
| 3 | It provides cashless hospitalization, modern treatments, and Ayush therapies coverage. |
| 4 | Beneficiaries can choose between 70:30 or 50:50 co-payment options to reduce premiums with significant discounts. |
| 5 | The scheme is meant to complement existing CGHS benefits and improve financial security for central government employees and pensioners. |
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Paripoorna Mediclaim Ayush Bima?
It is an optional health insurance plan launched by the Ministry of Finance for CGHS beneficiaries, providing supplementary coverage for hospitalization, modern treatments, and Ayush therapies.
2. Who are eligible for this scheme?
All central government employees, pensioners, and their dependents registered under CGHS are eligible to opt for this insurance plan.
3. What are the sum insured options available under this scheme?
Beneficiaries can choose between ₹10 lakh and ₹20 lakh sum insured options.
4. Does the scheme cover alternative medicine treatments?
Yes, Ayush treatments (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy) are fully covered for hospitalization.
5. Can multiple family members be included under a single policy?
Yes, up to six members per policy can be included, making it suitable for complete family coverage.
6. What are the co-payment options, and how do they affect premiums?
There are 70:30 and 50:50 co-payment options, which allow the insurer and insured to share costs. Choosing co-payment reduces premium rates by 28% and 42%, respectively.
7. Is pre- and post-hospitalization covered?
Yes, pre-hospitalization coverage is for 30 days and post-hospitalization coverage is for 60 days.
8. How does this scheme complement CGHS benefits?
It provides additional financial protection and access to cashless treatment in empaneled hospitals, without replacing existing CGHS services.
9. Which insurer is offering this plan?
The scheme will be offered through New India Assurance Company Limited, both online and through their offices.
10. Why is this scheme relevant for government exam aspirants?
This scheme is relevant for current affairs, government policies, and social welfare topics, important for exams like UPSC, PSCs, SSC, Banking, Railways, and Defence.
Some Important Current Affairs Links
