November 15 is the last date to apply for smart cards under the Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme (CHIS) for 2014-15. Families with a monthly income below Rs.600 or members of welfare schemes must apply now.
Sixty categories of ration-card-holders, including wayside vendors, domestic labourers, waste collectors, other labourers, and welfare fund pensioners may apply. The upper income limit is not applicable for those included in welfare schemes. They should approach the nearest Akshaya or Unnathi centre before November 15 to register for the card. Those who already hold smart cards need not apply. Those who need to add more members shall approach the RSBY kiosk near Tagore Centenary Hall. A maximum of five people could be included in the card.
As many as 3,96,407 people registered for the scheme in Kozhikode in 2013-14. In the past three years, Kozhikode has had the highest registrations under the scheme. Of the eligible, 92 per cent have been provided smart cards.
The beneficiaries, upon paying Rs.30 as registration fee, will get a medical insurance of Rs.30,000 under the scheme. The Below Poverty Line families will get an additional Rs.70,000 for treatment for cancer, cardiac ailments, liver- and kidney-related diseases, neurology problems, accident injuries, and mental ailments in select hospitals under the scheme. In case of the death of the heads of the family, the scheme provides Rs.2 lakh to dependents.
The CHIS card is valid in 17 government hospitals, including community health centres, and 10 private hospitals including cooperative hospitals in the district. This year, the scheme is being implemented through Reliance General Insurance Company. The registration is being overseen by the Comprehensive Health Insurance Agency through Akshaya and Unnathi centres.
