*   1.43 crore families to benefit

*   Claims above Rs 2.5 lakh up to Rs 25 lakh will be covered by the NTR Vaidya Seva Trust

*   AP govt has allocated Rs.18,500 crore for medical services

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

The Andhra Pradesh government is set to introduce a hybrid model for cashless healthcare treatment, which will come into effect from April 1. Under this model, medical assistance up to ₹25 lakh will be provided to 4.3 crore individuals from 1.43 crore families.

The hybrid model will integrate the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme, the state's NTR Vaidya Seva, and insurance services, ensuring seamless and quality medical services for the poor.

Minister Satyakumar also clarified that the hybrid system would maintain services without shifting entirely from the trust model to insurance. For medical claims under Rs 2.5 lakh, the system will transition to an insurance model, while claims above Rs 2.5 lakh up to Rs 25 lakh will be covered by the NTR Vaidya Seva Trust.

This approach ensures comprehensive healthcare coverage, with 61 lakh families already benefiting from the Ayushman Bharat scheme, receiving up to Rs 5 lakh worth of medical treatment. The Minister explained that under the new model, hospitals will be able to process claims more quickly.

Currently, pre-authorization for claims takes 24 hours, but the government is working to reduce this to just six hours. If a claim is denied, patients will have the option to appeal the decision.

The government has decided to charge a premium in advance to ensure timely payments to hospitals, preventing the delays often associated with post-treatment reimbursements.