Cashless health card scheme for Andhra employees

The Andhra Pradesh government Sunday presented a Diwali gift to its employees by announcing "cashless health card" scheme, said to be the first of its kind in the country.

Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy approved the scheme under which free health services would be provided to 14 lakh employees, pensioners and their family members. It will benefit a total of about 70 lakh people, said a statement from the chief minister's office.

The scheme requires Rs.400 crore every year. Sixty percent of this amount will be borne by the government and 40 percent by the employee/pensioner's contribution. Monthly contribution from the employees/pensioners will be Rs.90 to Rs.120 depending on pay scales.

The scheme will cover about 1,885 procedures in both private and government hospitals all over the state.

The chief minister took the decision after a review meeting with Finance Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy, Health Minister Kondru Murali, Chief Secretary P.K. Mohanty and other officials.

The chief minister said the employee health scheme card is a very enabling provision for easy, hassle-free treatment. He also said the scheme will be reviewed after six months if necessary, shortcomings will be resolved and additional treatments will be added.

The main objective of the scheme is to provide healthcare to the state government employees, pensioners and their dependent family members through a cashless, seamless and transparent scheme.

Aarogyasri Healthcare Trust will implement the Scheme. A steering committee headed by Chief Secretary will monitor the scheme from time to time.

Families living below poverty line in the state are already enjoying free healthcare in corporate hospitals under Rajiv Arogyasri.