New Delhi, May 7 (IANS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday reviewed the progress of preparations for the launch of ambitious National Health Protection Scheme (NHPS), popularly known as "Modicare", according to an official.

"The Prime Minister was apprised of the preparation done so far, including consultations with states, for a smooth and expeditious rollout of the health assurance programme under 'Ayushman Bharat' initiative," said the statement from Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

The scheme will provide a cover of up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year and is targeted to cover over 10 crore poor and vulnerable families.

Informed sources said the government was likely to ready the scheme before August 15, 2018 and launch it on the Independence Day.

Modi stressed on providing maximum benefit to the poor and marginalised sections of society under the scheme, the statement said.

Senior officials of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, NITI Aayog and PMO, briefed the Prime Minister on various aspects of the scheme.

Last month, on the occasion of Ambedkar Jayanti, the Prime Minister had inaugurated the first Health and Wellness Centre under Ayushman Bharat at Bijapur in Chhattisgarh.