In a significant decision that will benefit over 6.50 lakh employees and pensioners in Punjab, the State Cabinet gave nod to cashless health insurance, replacing the existing policy of reimbursing medical expenses.
The facility of cashless treatment would be provided to Government employees and pensioners in more than 250 empanelled public and private hospitals in Punjab, Chandigarh and NCR (Delhi, Gurgaon and Noida).
The expenses on treatment, if taken in the remaining parts of the country, would be reimbursed to the employees by the insurance company within 15 days of submission of medical claim.
Under this scheme, the benefits would be granted to the employee as per Service Rules (Medical Attendance Rules 1940).
As per the scheme the expenditure on treatment of patient admitted in hospital and 246 kinds of “Day care” procedure (in which treatment was provided in less than 24 hours) and treatment of chronic diseases in OPD would be provided to patient without spending any money. The OPD expenses other than those related to chronic diseases would continue to be met through fixed medical allowance.
The scheme would cover pre and post hospitalisation benefits upto seven days and 30 days respectively, which were not available under the prevailing rules. Though the insurance company cover was Rs 3 lakh per family however the scheme would cover a family for an unlimited amount.
Though the scheme would be made compulsory to employees and pensioners, it would be optional for All India Service Officers, serving and ex-MLAs, serving and ex-Judges of Punjab and Haryana High Court.
The scheme would entail an annual financial liability of Rs 107 crore on state exchequer.
This scheme is initially for one year and could be extended for another year with the mutual consent of government and insurance company.
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