People will get Rs 10 lakh health insurance cover under cashless scheme: Punjab Minister
Chandigarh, January 2
Punjab Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh has said that cashless health scheme is for three crore Punjab residents and they will also get Rs 10 lakh health insurance cover.
He told the media persons that private and government hospitals will be included in the scheme.
"This scheme is for 3 Crore Punjab residents, they will get Rs 10 lakh insurance cover. Private and government hospitals will be covered. Around six hundred private hospitals are covered. There are eight central government hospitals covered in this scheme," he said.
The scheme will be formally launched on January 15 by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
Mann has directed the health department to complete the necessary arrangements for launching the scheme.
Most beneficiaries will receive their health cards within the next three to four months. Under the scheme, people will be able to avail of cashless treatment at more than 800 private and government hospitals across the state.
Back in September this year, Mann announced the rollout of a state health insurance scheme under which every family in Punjab will be eligible for cashless treatment up to Rs 10 lakh.
Speaking about the initiative, Mann said the benefit would be provided through a 'CM Health Card'.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Good step, but I'll believe it when I see it. We've heard such promises before. The real test will be the ease of getting the health card and whether the listed hospitals actually provide hassle-free cashless treatment. The government must ensure strict monitoring.
Including over 800 hospitals, both private and government, is the key detail. If they can pull this off, it will reduce the financial burden on so many families. My parents live in a village in Punjab; I really hope the scheme reaches them effectively.
The intention is praiseworthy, but the timeline of 3-4 months for cards seems long for a scheme launching in 15 days. What about people who need treatment in February or March? The rollout needs to be much faster to be truly effective.
As someone who has worked in public health, this scale of coverage is impressive. Covering 3 crore residents is no small feat. The success will depend on the backend IT infrastructure and grievance redressal. Punjab could set an example for other states.
Finally! A health safety net for the common person. Medical bills are the biggest reason for families falling into debt. If this works, it will be a huge relief. Just hope the premium, if any, is nominal and not a burden itself.
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