In a significant move, the Haryana government has extended the cashless healthcare facility to all government employees across various departments. The Cashless Health Scheme, initiated on January 1st of this year as a pilot project in the Fisheries and Horticulture departments, has now been implemented across all departments, benefitting over 3 lakh employees.
Background of the Scheme
The scheme, aimed at providing cashless health services to government employees, was initially launched on a pilot basis in the Fisheries and Horticulture departments. Following its success, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar’s government has extended the scheme to cover all regular government employees starting January 2024.
Key Highlights
1. Scope of Beneficiaries
The scheme is expected to benefit approximately more than 3.5 lakh regular government employees, 3 lakh pensioners, and around 20 lakh dependents associated with them.
2. Implementation Across Departments
Originally conceptualized on November 1, 2023, for the Fisheries and Horticulture departments, the government has taken the decisive step of implementing the Cashless Health Scheme across all departments. This extension ensures that employees from various sectors can avail themselves of the benefits of cashless medical treatment.
3. Provisions for Comprehensive Healthcare
The scheme encompasses a wide range of healthcare services, covering not only life-threatening emergencies like cardiac conditions, brain hemorrhages, comas, electric shocks, and late-stage cancer but also extends to cover all types of indoor treatments and day care procedures. This comprehensive coverage aims to meet the diverse healthcare needs of the beneficiaries.
Procedure for Availing Benefits
Under the scheme, beneficiaries can avail themselves of cashless medical services in any of the 569 registered hospitals across the state. These include government medical colleges, government-aided medical colleges, district hospitals, health institutions, and private empaneled hospitals.
The beneficiaries will be issued e-cards or Smart Health Cards (CCHF cards) to facilitate the cashless transactions and smooth availing of the scheme’s benefits. The entire expense will be borne by the state government, making healthcare more accessible and affordable for government employees and their dependents.
Government’s Commitment to Employee Welfare
During the budget session, Governor Bandaru Dattatreya highlighted the government’s commitment to the welfare of its employees. He shared that the government has undertaken substantial steps to create a common cadre for Group D employees, providing them opportunities for promotions. Additionally, the Ayush Medical Reimbursement Policy ensures that all expenses related to Ayurvedic treatment are covered.The extension of the Cashless Health Scheme to all government employees underscores the government’s commitment to the health and well-being of its workforce, offering them a hassle-free and financially secure avenue for healthcare services.
The Haryana government’s move to introduce the cashless healthcare facility is a commendable step towards ensuring the health and welfare of its employees, setting a positive precedent for employee-centric policies.