The State government is considering extending insurance coverage to surgeries for cataract, hernia and other secondary care treatment procedures that do not require super-specialists.
The coverage is now restricted to tertiary care treatment for heart attacks, kidney malfunctions and others requiring specialists, Health and Family Welfare Minister U.T. Khader has said.
Inaugurating a pilot project for treatment of non-communicable diseases in Dakshina Kannada and Davangere districts here on Monday, he said that people had been spending a lot for the treatment of cataract, hernia and other secondary care services at private hospitals.
“It is my dream to extend insurance coverage to secondary care treatment that will be of great help to the people,” he said.
The Minister said this would also bring down the cost of these operations.
Mr. Khader said the State government had been successful in extending health insurance coverage to both Below Poverty Line and Above Poverty Line families for tertiary care that includes operations related to heart, kidney and other procedures using services of super- specialists. “We intend to provide insurance coverage for secondary care where it would cover even cataract operation. If the Chief Minister gives approval, we will like to introduce the scheme by 2016,” he said and added that that it was estimated to cost Rs. 1,200 crore to the exchequer. Mr. Khader said instead of bringing new schemes, the department would focus on extending the present health schemes to the masses.
Pilot project for
non-communicable diseases launched
