Buoyed by the success of the Yeshasvini health scheme for farmers, the State government extended it to the residents of urban areas in June 2014.
Though the government expected at least 10 lakh people to get enrolled in the first year, the response has been poor so far with only 1.72 lakh enrolments.
Started in 2003 by the State government, Yeshasvini is one of the largest self-funded healthcare schemes in the country. Covering 823 defined surgical procedures, the scheme enables members to avail themselves of cashless treatment up to a certain amount for a minimal annual contribution.
ADVERTISEMENT
While beneficiaries under the rural scheme (7.5 lakh people have benefitted since June 2003) have to pay an annual contribution of Rs. 250 per head for cashless treatment of up to Rs. 1.25 lakh for a single admission every year, those under the urban scheme can avail themselves of treatment of up to Rs. 1.75 lakh with an annual contribution of Rs. 710.
The upper limit in case of multiple admissions can go up to Rs. 2 lakh for rural beneficiaries and Rs. 2.5 lakh for urban members. About 40 lakh members of cooperative bodies in urban areas of the State are eligible for this scheme.
ADVERTISEMENT
Sources said the poor response to the urban scheme was because of the contribution amount of Rs. 710 per head. “Autorickshaw drivers, garment workers and other daily wagers in urban areas feel the contribution amount is high,” sources said.
However, C.N. Manjunath, Director of Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, who is also a member of Yeshasvini Trust, said the response was poor because people in urban areas had many options — including private medical insurance schemes and the government’s subsidised health scheme for APL cardholders.
He said the trust would step up awareness and write to all cooperative societies to put up circulars and popularise the scheme.
While the government expected 10 lakh people to enrol themselves in the first year, only 1.72 lakh have registered