42 per cent have not even heard of the central government’s flagship programme, Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY)

In a country that boasts the world’s largest universal healthcare scheme, a shocking reality lurks beneath the surface—over 80 per cent of people with disabilities (PwDs) in India remain uninsured. Even more alarming, 42 per cent of them have never even heard of the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), the government’s flagship health insurance initiative.

These startling findings come from a nationwide survey conducted by the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP), which polled 5,000 PwDs across 34 states and union territories. The results highlight systemic neglect, unequal access to healthcare, and a gaping void in policy implementation.

For millions of disabled individuals, health insurance isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity for survival. Yet, the NCPEDP survey found that a staggering 80.5 per cent of respondents had no health insurance from either private or government providers. The situation is particularly dire for those with Haemophilia, multiple disabilities, Thalassemia, and locomotor impairments, who are often outright excluded from insurance policies or unable to afford them. Even among those who have applied for coverage, the struggle continues. Of the 28.4 per cent who sought health insurance, a shocking 53.2 per cent faced rejection, often without any explanation.

“These numbers aren’t just a statistic; they represent real people left behind by the system,” said Arman Ali, Executive Director of NCPEDP. “Health insurance is not a privilege for persons with disabilities; it’s a necessity for survival.”

The survey further exposed glaring gaps in awareness. While AB-PMJAY is touted as a game-changer for healthcare access in India, only 58.8 per cent of disabled respondents were even aware of its existence. A staggering 71 per cent had never applied for any health insurance at all, indicating a failure in outreach and education by both government and private stakeholders.

The barriers don’t stop there. Women with disabilities face even greater disparities, with those in categories such as Haemophilia, dwarfism, multiple disabilities, and speech and language disorders having the lowest insurance coverage. Meanwhile, those with Thalassemia (46.6 per cent), locomotor disabilities (16.4 per cent), and sickle cell disease (14.5 per cent) have slightly higher access, yet still fall short of adequate inclusion.

“This points to a serious systemic issue within the insurance policy landscape. The lack of awareness about the insurance scheme within the PwD community highlights the lack of information dissemination by the state machinery and other stakeholders involved,” the survey noted. “Lack of information trickling down to the grassroots has prevented a huge section of Persons with Disabilities from even applying for insurance schemes in the first place, even if they meet the eligibility criteria.”

The rejection of applications adds another layer of injustice. Many PwDs are denied coverage due to insurers' lack of knowledge about disability-specific health concerns. In fact, 36 per cent of rejections were linked to pre-existing conditions, while 32 per cent stemmed from insurers' ignorance of disability-related medical needs. Alarmingly, 60 per cent of those whose applications were rejected were never informed why.

NCPEDP, along with the National Disability Network (NDN), has long advocated for the unconditional inclusion of PwDs under AB-PMJAY—without income or age restrictions. They urge the government to act now, as high healthcare costs and inflation continue to push PwDs further into financial distress.

This survey isn’t just a wake-up call—it’s a call to action. India must bridge the healthcare gap for its disabled citizens, ensuring that no one is left behind in the pursuit of a healthier, more inclusive future.