TURA, JUNE 19: Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma on Friday launched the Meghalaya Health Insurance Scheme (MHIS) phase-II at Tura in West Garo Hills. The scheme launched in 2012 in convergence with Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) has provided insurance benefit to over 40,000 patients so far.
Terming MHIS as “best innovative health insurance scheme”, which has been replicated across India, the chief minister said, “The government intends to extend the benefit of the scheme to every citizen of the state.”
He informed that government is contemplating to provide the benefit of the scheme to state government employees as well. Presently, the scheme does not cover state and central government employees.
“Reimbursement for health benefit for government employees is lengthy. They have to run around the door of those in power and position. Hence, the government is committed for inclusive enrolment, which will benefit all”, said the chief minister.
He said that the ceiling for government employees has to be worked out before it is formally announced. “We will create a separate bracket for government employees, so that there is 100 per cent enrolment”, he added.
He asked the health department and the nodal agency to create awareness of the scheme at different weekly markets, so that people can come forward for the enrolment. “There are rumors about the scheme, we have to allay all fears and apprehension”, he emphasized.
Stating that the scheme is available for treatment in private hospitals, he said, “We look forward to private investors for setting up super speciality hospital, so that people can avail its benefit. The scheme also includes components for motivating medical professionals”, he said.
Pointing out on the shortage of medical professionals in the state, the chief minister informed that government has urged centre to increase the seats for candidates from Meghalaya at North East Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Medical Science (NEIGRIMS), Shillong.
“The government has a futuristic vision and is working out modalities to meet the demand and challenges ahead”, he asserted. Two new medical college and four nursing institute are coming up in the state.
The MHIS phase-II would provide insurance cover for a broad range of diseases. It is aimed at providing financial aid at the time of hospitalisation and reduce the out-of-pocket expenses. The second phase of the scheme is expected to cover 8 lakhs families of the state. In the first phase, the scheme issued MHIS card to 4 lakhs families.
Under the scheme, the beneficiaries will be entitled up to Rs. 2 lakh coverage at the time of hospitalisation on a floater basis and it is extendable up to five members of a family, where each household has to pay Rs. 30 annually.
\At least 11 leading private hospitals in the state and 13 outside the state have been empanelled where cardholders can admit themselves for medication, including all government hospitals in the state.
The government has empanelled three hospitals in Assam, two each in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi and one each in Karnataka and Haryana.
The government has signed an agreement with New India Assurance Company Ltd for the second phase, the first phase was implemented with ICICI Lombard.- From Our Correspondent
+ There are no comments
Add yours