ACCESS Health, in partnership with Population Services International, under the USAID-funded Samagra project, will host a webinar titled “Breaking Barriers: Uptake and Use of Health Assurance/Insurance Products Among Low-Income Urban Populations.” This webinar aims to shed light on the challenges faced by low-income urban populations in accessing and utilizing health assurance/insurance products and to explore potential solutions to address these barriers.
While government-sponsored health insurance schemes exist for the population below the poverty line, a significant segment of the urban working population remains without coverage. Referred to as “the missing middle,” this population falls between those who can afford private healthcare and those who benefit from government schemes. The missing middle includes self-employed individuals in rural areas and a range of occupations in urban areas.
Existing health insurance schemes in India often do not cover the missing middle population, and there is a lack of comprehensive and affordable products that cater to their needs. The webinar will discuss the importance of designing a low-cost comprehensive health insurance product that addresses the delays in treatment and covers a wide range of diseases and treatments. It will also explore the inclusion of outpatient benefits to prevent catastrophic health spending.
The webinar will feature experts and practitioners from the insurance industry, public health sector, and civil society organizations. Their experiences and insights will contribute to a comprehensive discussion on breaking barriers and promoting better access to health assurance/insurance products for low-income urban populations.
The webinar will tentatively take place on June 22/23. Please register here to receive the final details, agenda, and the joining link.