New health scheme for government employees

The State government has decided to implement a new health insurance scheme “Jyoti Sanjeevini” for its employees.

Free medical treatment will be provided to the employees and their family members under the scheme, which is likely to be launched on April 1.

The scheme covers 447 different treatments and seven diseases, including cancer. The employees can get treatments in 147 network hospitals across the State.

The Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR) has, in a circular dated January 4, directed all employees to furnish Aadhaar number or address proof, family photograph and other details, before this month-end for this purpose.

Once the scheme is implemented, the government is likely to withdraw the facility of medical reimbursement to the employees. The scheme will not only help employees get free medical treatment, but put a full stop to the practice of submitting fake bills to seek medical reimbursement. Instead, the government will directly reimburse money towards treatment to the hospital, official sources said.

The scheme is planned to be implemented through the Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust and applies to all categories of employees. The government is estimated to spend about Rs 93 crore per annum for the purpose.