Punjab govt's health insurance scheme to employees

In a significant move that will benefit over 6.50 lakh employees and pensioners of the state government, the Punjab Cabinet today gave its nod to implement Cashless Health Insurance scheme in lieu of the existing policy of reimbursement of the medical expenses.
A decision to this effect was taken by the Cabinet in its meeting chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal here at Punjab Bhawan this evening.
Disclosing this here today, a spokesperson of the Chief Minister's Office said that the facility of cashless treatment would be provided to Government employee/pensioners and their dependents in more than 250 empanelled public and private hospitals in Punjab, Chandigarh and NCR (Delhi, Gurgaon and Noida) adding that under this scheme all the benefits would be granted to the employee as per Service Rules (Medical Attendance Rules 1940).

The expenses on treatment if taken outside the state would be reimbursed to the employees by the insurance company within 15 days of submission of medical claim.
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 up to 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.