United Ind Insurance pays Rs 7 cr as medical cover

G Srinivasan, chairman and managing director of the public sector undertaking, told reporters that 16,000 members out of the total 1.57 lakh enrolled had been benefitted by the Tsunami Jan Bima Yojana, since its launch in March 2007.   

"The scheme, where the beneficiaries were selected by the State government, covers a total of Rs 30,000 towards medical expenses of a family and Rs 25,000 as personal accident cover for the head of the family," he said.   

The cash-free service was available in 176 hospitals in Chennai and other coastal towns like Nagapattinam, Cuddalore and Kanyakumari among others.   

"The beneficiaries have been provided with ID cards which can be used for cash-free services in the enlisted hospitals which send the bills directly to us. Funds for this purpose are being released from Prime Minister's National Relief Fund and Union Finance Ministry," Srinivasan said.    

Membership of the beneficiaries would be renewed annually, he said and added that the scheme would soon be extended to Puducherry and Andhra Pradesh.    

Besides Tamil Nadu, the scheme was also in vogue in Kerala,where 1.28 lakh persons have been covered.