Assessing Health Insurance Coverage and Sociodemographic Factors in Haryana: An Analysis of District-Level Data

Abstract

Background: Health insurance has rapidly evolved into an essential tool for financial risk protection to achieve universal health coverage. Social security expenditure in India includes various schemes and programs aimed at providing financial and social protection through pensions, healthcare, and social assistance. Various types of health insurance are currently offered in India on a national and state level, as well as in the public and private sectors.

Objectives: To study the extent of Health insurance/financing scheme coverage in districts of Haryana and extent of various types of health insurance/financing schemes coverage in Haryana. To study the various sociodemographic variables affecting extent of health insurance coverage in Haryana.

Methodology: The present study is based on secondary data from the National Family Health Survey conducted in 2019–2021 (NFHS-5).

Results: The study conducted in Haryana revealed a health insurance coverage of 25.1%. Gurgaon had the highest coverage (34.6%) and Mewat had the lowest (11.8%). RBSY and CGHS were the most common schemes, while community health insurance had the least share (0.5%). Urban areas had slightly higher coverage (27.8%) than rural areas (23.8%). Health insurance coverage varied among different religious groups and caste/tribe categories. Wealth index also influenced coverage, with the richest having the highest coverage (27.7%) and the poorest the lowest (19.3%). Sociodemographic characteristics were significantly associated with health insurance coverage in Haryana.

Conclusion: It is evident that a significant portion of the population remains without adequate access to health insurance and related financing schemes. Disparities in coverage were observed across different districts of Haryana.

Keywords: Health Insurance, financing scheme, universal health coverage