Delhi’s health department will soon launch a health insurance scheme for the poor on lines of labour ministry’s health insurance scheme for BPL card holders called the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojna (RSBY).

The scheme by the Delhi government would be called Aapka Swasthya Bima Yojna (ASBY) and would insure five members from each family for up to Rs 1.5 lakh. People under and above the poverty line would be covered under it and they will be protected against over 700 ailments listed under the scheme.

“The scheme is an advanced version of RSBY and will be floated soon,” said a senior Delhi health department official who did not wish to be named, “Other yardsticks besides income will be included to be eligible for the scheme. The quality of life will be an essential element. Families living in slum areas and poor localities will also be considered.”

The data of BPL and APL families will be sourced from mission convergence of the Delhi government. Head of the family, spouse and three dependents will be issued one bio-metric card which can be swiped at the empanelled hospitals and the set amount for the treatment will be deducted from the total value of the card. The remaining value will be valid for a year and any of the five members can use it.

If families which already have a RSBY card, get enrolled for ASBY, the money in the already existing card will be upgraded instead of issuing them a separate card, informed the official.

The services for the scheme will be provided through third party administrators.