What is the Benefit of the Dr. NTR Rao Vaidya Seva Trust in AP?

Top Benefits of Dr. Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao Vaidya Seva Trust in Andhra Pradesh

Dr. Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao Vaidya Seva Trust provides free healthcare to low-income families in AP. Learn about its coverage, eligibility, and how it protects against medical poverty.

The Aarogyasri Health Care Trust, also known as Dr. Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao Vaidya Seva Trust, is the Andhra Pradesh government's flagship health insurance scheme that offers free, high-quality medical care to low-income families.

Launched for the first time in 2007, the Aarogyasri scheme has been further enhanced, particularly under the leadership of Dr. Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao. It plays a crucial role in transforming healthcare from a privilege into a fundamental right accessible to poorer segments of society. 

Read ahead to understand the benefits of this scheme.

Below is a comprehensive look at the key benefits and impacts of the Dr. Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao Vaidya Seva scheme in Andhra Pradesh:

Free Medical Treatment for the Poor

The simplest advantage of Aarogyasri is that it provides free medical treatment to families below the poverty line (BPL). It covers a range of treatments, including major surgeries, chronic illnesses, cancer therapy, cardiology, nephrology, neurosurgery, and orthopaedics. Beneficiaries receive free treatment, ensuring good healthcare for those who otherwise could not afford it.
 

Coverage for Serious Illnesses

Aarogyasri provides financial security for over 2,000 expensive diseases that can lead to significant healthcare expenses. These include heart disease, kidney failure, brain surgery, cancer treatment, burns, and trauma care. The maximum coverage per family is ₹5 lakh annually, sufficient for most major treatments at contracted hospitals.
 

No Out-of-Pocket Expenses

Aarogyasri patients don't have to spend a rupee in the hospital for covered treatment. Everything is provided under the scheme, from diagnosis and investigation to surgery, post-surgery care, and even transport allowance and meals in certain situations. This sets it apart and ensures that economically underprivileged people have no out-of-pocket expenses.
 

Cashless and Paperless Treatment

The programme provides paperless and cashless access to healthcare. Beneficiaries must carry the Aarogyasri card (or Aadhaar in most cases), while hospitals can verify eligibility online. This simplifies hospital admission and reduces the stress associated with medical emergencies.

Empaneled Network of Hospitals

Dr. Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao Vaidya Seva patients benefit from a comprehensive network of empanelled public and private hospitals across Andhra Pradesh and other states. These hospitals are selected based on strict quality parameters to ensure patients receive quality care.

The network also includes super-speciality hospitals in Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bengaluru for locally unavailable procedures.

Pre- and Post-Hospitalisation Support

The scheme covers hospital and surgery expenses and offers pre- and post-hospitalisation benefits. These include pre-hospitalisation diagnostics, consultations, and follow-up treatments, ensuring continuity of care and improved health outcomes.

Transport and Food Charges

The Aarogyasri programme is the reimbursement of transport and food expenses for the patient and an accompanying person. Most low-income families avoid travelling to distant cities for medical treatment due to travel costs, but Aarogyasri addresses this issue by reimbursing those expenses.

Mobile Health Services & Village Health Clinics

The Andhra Pradesh government has integrated Health Clinics and Mobile Medical Units under Dr. Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao Vaidya Seva Trust for primary treatment and early detection. These services are offered in tribal and rural areas to identify diseases at their initial stages, thereby reducing complications and treatment needs.\

Focus on Preventive Healthcare

The government has focused on preventive and promotive health by integrating Aarogyasri with village health workers (ASHAs/ANMs). Periodic health camps and awareness sessions are conducted to promote hygiene, facilitate early diagnosis, and manage lifestyle diseases.

Transparent and Accountable Governance

The Aarogyasri initiative has been implemented by the Aarogyasri Health Care Trust, backed by a strong IT (information technology) infrastructure to ensure transparency. Each transaction is monitored, and a grievance redressal system is established for patient complaints; thus, hospitals and the government cannot evade their responsibilities.

Inclusive Eligibility Criteria

Although the scheme primarily targets BPL families, the coverage under the new Dr YSR Aarogyasri scheme has been expanded to include additional sections of society, such as white ration card holders, families with an annual income of up to ₹5 lakhs, and those with property tax below a specified level. This broader coverage ensures that more marginalised individuals can use the facility scheme.

Relief During Pandemics and Emergencies

Aarogyasri intervened during the COVID-19 pandemic by covering the costs of COVID treatment in private hospitals when government hospitals were overwhelmed. The Dr. Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao Vaidya Seva scheme has also been utilised for disaster relief treatment, becoming a cornerstone of AP's public health system.

The Dr. Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao Vaidya Seva scheme has been a lifeline for lakhs of families in Andhra Pradesh. Providing free, quality and accessible health care shields families from the threat of poverty due to health costs. It addresses curative health needs and promotes health equity, closing the gap between the wealthy and the impoverished.

Aarogyasri is more than just a health insurance scheme—it serves as a safety net for the economically disadvantaged, safeguarding their right to life and health.

Also Read:

→ What is the Maximum limit of Aarogyasri

→ What is the Full Form of BSBY

→ Who is Eligible for Karunya Insurance

→ What are the Benefits of Swasthya Bima Yojana

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