Keeping in mind the Assembly elections due next year, the Assam government has decided to roll out a health assurance scheme for about 4.5 lakh state government employees from February 1. The scheme is in line with the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS).
Assam Health Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma proposed the scheme which is set to benefit 1.5 lakh retired employees, many of whom fail to go in for specialised treatment owing to high costs. Presently, state government employees get a monthly medical allowance of Rs. 600 only.
In a meeting with representatives of leading employees’ union Sadou Asom Karmachari Parishad (SAKP) recently, Sarma proposed a card-based cashless treatment coverage for around 1,600 surgeries, procedures and treatment as a part of the modalities for the Employees Health Assurance Scheme.
Sarma also proposed that treatment will be available in state government hospitals and empanelled private hospitals in Assam and outside the state. It has also been proposed that the treatment cost will be package-based including cost of accommodation. Eligible family members will also be covered as per norms.
The scheme is set to be launched on February 1 for in-service employees, while retired state government staffers can avail it from April 1.