Parliament Question: Health Insurance Coverage for Newborn

GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH ANDFAMILYWELFARE LOK SABHA UNSTARREDQUESTION NO. 2246 TOBE ANSWERED ON 31STJULY, 2026 HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FORNEWBORN 2246. SHRIMADDILAGURUMOORTHY: Will the Minister of HEALTHAND FAMILYWELFAREbe pleased tostate: (a) whether the Government is aware that exceptfor corporate insurance policies providedby employers, neither private insurance companies nor Central/State health schemes provide comprehensive medical coverage for newborns from dayone,if so, the detailsthereof; (b) whether it is a fact that most private insurers offer neonatal coverage only under special riders or with long waiting periods and inadequate sub-limits, leaving families financially burdened,if so the detailsthereof; (c) whether the Government proposes to mandate universal health insurance coverage for newborns from birthunderAyushman Bharat or anynationalscheme; and (d) if so, the timeline for implementation thereof and if not, the reasons for failing to address the growing disparity between average household income and escalating neonatal healthcare costs inthe country? ANSWER THE MINISTER OFSTATEIN THE MINISTRYOFHEALTHAND FAMILYWELFARE (SHRIPRATAPRAOJADHAV) (a) to (d): As perDepartment of Financial Services, insurers offer a range of healthinsurance products catering to health insurance needs of the newborns. While some products provide such coverage with sub-limits and/or waitingperiods, othersoffer coverage from the first day ofbirthwithoutanysub-limitsorwaitingperiods.Thepremiumvariesdependingontheextent of coverage and benefits offered. Accordingly, policyholders may choose a product based on theircoveragerequirementsandaffordability. Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana provides coverage for 1,961 treatment procedures across 27 medical specialities, including speciality for Neonatal Care comprising 13 procedures covering basic, critical and advanced neonatal care etc. Newborns are covered under the scheme from the day of birth as part of the beneficiary family, in accordancewith the scheme guidelines. *****