The Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme was launched here on Saturday and in Madurai district, totally 5.6 lakh families whose annual income is less than Rs. 72,000 will benefit from this scheme. Quality medical care for identified speciality services requiring hospitalisation for surgeries and medical procedures would be provided to beneficiaries. The scheme will be implemented through Government hospitals and select private hospitals.
Under the scheme, a family is entitled for the provision of insurance coverage up to Rs. one lakh per year and it also has a provision to pay up to Rs.1.5 lakh per year per family for certain specified procedures.
The health insurance scheme, which will be implemented through United India Insurance Company Limited, covers for the treatment of 1,016 diseases. An additional 113 follow-up procedures too have been included in the scheme which will benefit not only those who are old but even a newborn babies.
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Sellur K. Raju, Minister for Cooperation, formally launched the scheme by distributing the health insurance identity cards to a few beneficiaries in the presence of Collector U. Sagayam and Mayor V. V. Rajan Chellappa at a function organised by the district administration and Department of Health and Family Welfare.
Speaking on the occasion, the Cooperation Minister appealed to the Government hospitals and private hospitals to implement it in the spirit with which it was launched.
“The scheme benefits 5.6 lakh families in Madurai district. It gives health insurance coverage of totally Rs. 4 lakh in four years. Chief Minister Jayalalithaa is providing more people-oriented welfare schemes and hence insurance coverage as well as number of diseases covered has been increased now,” he said.
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District Collector Mr. Sagayam said that the Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme will be a boon to deserving families who cannot afford to pay lakhs of rupees for treatment in private hospitals.
“Our Madurai district is leading in implementation of various Government welfare schemes such as distribution of fans and mixies. The same effectiveness would be there in this health insurance scheme also,” the Collector said. Select private hospitals in the district have been roped in for implementing the scheme.
R. Annadurai, MLA(Madurai South), has lauded the AIADMK Government for launching a comprehensive health insurance scheme and for involving a public sector insurance company in that. He appealed to the Chief Minister to allocate Rs. 100 crore for Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai which caters to people of southern districts.
V. V. Rajan Chellappa, Madurai Mayor and MLAs- A. K. Bose, M. Muthuramalingam, R. Sami- were among those who offered felicitations. A. Radha Rani, Joint Director (Medical and Rural Health Services), Madurai district welcomed the gathering.
Senior officials from Government Rajaji Hospital and representatives from private hospitals participated in the function. A brochure circulated at the function said that those who want to enrol in this scheme or want more information can contact the Village Administrative Officer, district collectorate or toll free helpline- 18004253993. Website: www.cmchistn.com.