ABSTRACT
Health insurance is an efficient way to help people prepare for contingency health care. Health care would be more equitable under community-based insurance than the out-of-pocket system. Such a scheme is especially important for the marginalized population. Objective: To study the awareness and willingness to participate in a community-based scheme among the families. Study Design: Cross-sectional community based. Setting: Urban slums and resettlement colonies in East Delhi. Participants: Head of families or available adult member of 510 families. Statistical Analysis: Proportions, Chi square test. Results: Most of the families had a per capita income of Rs.200-600 per month. Average out-of-pocket expenditure on healthcare per person per month was Rs.38.50. Nearly one-fourth of the families had some hospitalization in past 6 months, with loss of man-days and loss of wages. More than three-fourths of the respondents were aware about ‘insurance’, believed that health insurance is beneficial, and expressed willingness to participate. There is a need for health insurance among this population, and with government assistance and proper planning and education, community-based health insurance can possibly help these families manage their health care costs better.