Lok Sabha Question No. 5593 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-04
Subject: Insurance Coverage for AYUSH Treatment
Ministry: AYUSH
Asked by: Shri Azad Kirti Jha

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AYUSH LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5593 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04 TH  APRIL, 2025

'Insurance Coverage for AYUSH Treatment'

## 5593. Shri Azad Kirti Jha:

Will the Minister of Ayush be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government has taken  any steps to encourage private insurance companies to include AYUSH treatments, such as Panchkarma and other therapies, under their coverage;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the progress made and the challenges faced in this regard;
- (c) the timeline for ensuring wider insurance coverage for AYUSH treatments in the country;
- (d) whether the Government is considering integrating financial components, such as fixing rates for consultations in AYUSH treatments and if so, the details thereof;
- (e) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to implement this integration and the expected impact on the affordability and accessibility of AYUSH treatments; and
- (f) whether any lessons have been drawn from countries like South Korea regarding integrating Western and traditional medicines and the manner in which these are likely to be adapted to the Indian context and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF AYUSH (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

(a)  to  (e)  Yes  sir,  Ministry  of  Ayush  conducted  several  meetings  regarding  insurance  related issues in Ayush sector with Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), General  Insurance  Council  (GIC),  General  Insurance  Public  Sector  Association  (GIPSA)  and Private health insurance companies.

Ministry  of  Ayush  has  constituted  a  Core  Group  of  experts  for  insurance  coverage  in  Ayush system with following Term of Reference;

- i. To advice and monitor insurance related matters in Ayush Sector

- ii. To conduct sensitization programme involving all stake holders
- iii. To  conduct  a  study  of  current  status  of  Ayush  systems  under  health  insurance  and  to create a white paper.

With  recommendation  of  the  Core  Group  of  Experts,  Ministry  of  Ayush  has  also  conducted series  of  sensitization  programs  for  Ayush  stakeholders  and  insurance  stakeholders  across  the country wherein private healthcare organisation and private insurance companies also participated in large number.

Considering the growing demand for Ayush treatment, IRDAI vide letter noIRDAI/HLT/CIR/GDL/31/01/2024 dated 31/01/2024 has advised to place Ayush Treatments at par with other treatments for the purpose of health insurance so as to provide an option for the policyholders to choose treatment of their choice. IRDAI also advised that all the policies shall contain  the  quality  parameters  as  well  as  procedures  for  enrolling  Ayush  Hospitals/Day  Care Centers as network providers for the purpose of providing cashless facility and and this circular came into force w.e.f. 01.04.2024.

Further, Ministry of Ayush has constitutes a committee for revision of Committee for Revision of  'Guidelines  for  Insurance  Coverage  of  Ayush  Treatments  and  Settlement  of  Claims  on  the basis of benchmark rates of various therapies/interventions (2016).

(f) No such information is available in this Ministry.

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