Rare diseases are life-threatening diseases that only affect a small portion of the population across the world, which also means that the treatment for these diseases considerably increases the patient financial burden rare disease. Because of the high expenses associated with the rare disease treatment Karnataka, people from economically backward backgrounds can never afford to avail such medical treatments, which not only deteriorates their health and increases their suffering but eventually leads to their untimely, painful deaths.
To address this partiuclar issues, the health department under the state government of Karnataka, on the occasion of World Rare Disease Day significance, announced the expansion of the coverage of the existing Ayushman Bharat-Arogya Karnataka scheme. The primary reason behind this expansion is to ensure that people from all economic backgrounds can have rare disease complications coverage, which will help them in accessing medical treatments on time without any barriers or delays.
Read the article to learn more about the new healthcare policy Karnataka, ranging from its meaning and information about the impact of rare disease health coverage on families in Karnataka to coverage-related details, and answers to popular questions like ‘What treatments are covered under AB-ArK for Rare Diseases?’.
Overview
The table below summarises some key details about the expanded government health scheme coverage that one should know.
| Name of the scheme | Ayushman Bharat-Arogya Karnataka (AB-ArK) scheme |
|---|
| New healthcare reforms Karnataka | Rare disease complications coverage |
| Exact expansion | Inclusion of secondary complications |
| Amount of rare disease insurance in India under this scheme | Up to Rs 1 crore for the treatment of rare diseases |
| Eligibility | People must be registered with the Centre of Excellence for Rare Diseases (COERD), established at the Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health in Bengaluru |
| Related policy | National Policy for Rare Diseases (NPRD-2021) |
Read More: Ayushman Vaya Vandana Card (AVV) - Free Healthcare For 70+ Senior Citizens
How Karnataka Expanded Health Scheme To Rare Disease Complications?
Recently, the state government of Karnataka announced the updated version of the Ayushman Bharat Yojana called the Ayushman Bharat-Arogya Karnataka scheme. Compared to the earlier version of the scheme, which only focused on general hospitalisation packages, the new scheme would now provide health insurance for rare diseases to people, irrespective of their economic backgrounds. One of the main features of the scheme is that people will be required to register themselves at the Centre of Excellence for Rare Diseases (COERD), established at the Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health (IGICH) in the city of Bengaluru, to avail the benefits of this healthcare scheme.
Along with covering rare diseases, this scheme takes into account secondary complications as well. Secondary complications are additional health problems that arise because of a disease over time. The old model of the scheme did not cover secondary complication but the revised model surely does, as they contribute to an individual’s suffering as much as the primary disease.
Some of the examples of rare disease complications included in scheme are as follows:
Read More: Comprehensive Government Health Insurance Plans- Affordable Coverage for All
AB-ArK Scheme Benefits
There are numerous benefits that the revised healthcare scheme brings for people, especially those suffering from any type of rare disease. Some of the key benefits of the scheme are described below for one’s clarity:
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The key benefit of this new revision in the government healthcare scheme is the inclusion of secondary complications, such as heart problems, neurological problems, or others that arise because of primary rare diseases. There are innumerable benefits of including secondary complications in health insurance, which makes people who are already suffering from enough health problems feel supported and cared for.
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The treatment of rare diseases usually means high medical bills and rare diseases. This makes the conditions worse, specifically for those people with low-incomes. As the new scheme recognises the importance of secondary complication treatment, it reduces the financial burden from people’s shoulders and ensures that they get the essential medical treatment that they need.
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One of the benefits of the AB-ArK scheme is the inclusion of surgeries and specialist treatments, which are often required for the proper treatment of rare diseases. Including such specialised and expensive treatments under a government health insurance scheme represents the government’s focus on ensuring that no Indian citizen is denied medical care due to financial limitations.
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To make the working of the scheme streamlined and organised, the eligibility of people registering with COERD at IGICH has been strictly mandated. This would make the administration-related aspects of the revised healthcare scheme efficient and accurate.
Next Steps For People
If you’re suffering from any rare disease or if you know someone who is in your proximity, you should consider doing some things in advance, such as:
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Please visit the Centre of Excellence for Rare Diseases at IGICH, request an evaluation, and get yourself registered, as it is an essential precondition to apply for the revised AB-ArK health insurance scheme.
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Make a folder comprising all the necessary documents, like medical reports, referral letters, etc. This folder would definitely come in handy while applying for the scheme.
Also Read: Understanding National Health Mission- Access To Healthcare For All
Conclusion
Rare diseases are called rare for a reason, and one of those reasons is also the sad fact that most of them do not have a cure, as of now. Therefore, it is extremely important for people suffering from any rare disease to be diagnosed at an early stage and get early intervention to control the disease as much as possible, and that’s exactly where the Ayushman Bharat-Arogya Karnataka scheme comes to the rescue. The revised model not only covers rare diseases and the essential medical procedures connected to their treatment, but also prioritises secondary complications for optimal management of the rare disease.
The extended coverage in this government health insurance scheme is much more than just about tangible benefits, but it is about making people feel protected and cared for, as medical treatment, no matter how expensive, should be open and accessible for all, as every life matters!
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