Goa govt health insurance scheme to be functional from Aug 15

Goa government today announced that even as its health insurance scheme, Deen Dayal Swasthya Seva (DDSS), would be formally launched on May 30, it would only become operational from August 15 this year.
State Health Minister Francis D'Souza said, "The scheme would be rolled out on May 30, but after going through all the process, the actual benefits would be available only from August 15 this year onwards."
The DDSS is expected to cover 447 diseases, including psychological and chronic lifestyle problems, besides the conventional illnesses.
Institutions like AIIMS and Tata Memorial Hospital have also been roped in for the scheme, where the patients can undergo treatment and get financial reimbursement.

State Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar said the scheme might go for further expansion, wherein residents of neighbouring Karwar (Karnataka) and Sindhudurg (Maharashtra) districts can also avail the benefits of the insurance cover.
"Health Ministers from the concerned states of Maharashtra and Karnataka are in talks with us, wherein they are ready to pay the required installment to the insurance company for health cover to their citizens," Parsekar said.

"We have assured them that their demand would be looked into in due course," he added.
State cabinet on Friday approved the scheme which will be implemented by M/s United India Insurance Company Limited.

As per the note circulated in the cabinet, the insurance cover up to 2.5 lakh per annum for a family of three or less members and up to 4 lakh for a family of four and more would be provided.
The scheme is intended to benefit all the resident population of Goa, except the serving government employees and their dependents.