The Nagaland Chief Minister – Neiphiu Rio today launched the ‘Chief Minister’s Universal Health Insurance Scheme (CMHIS)’ for the people of the state.
Addressing a press conference, the state minister – Neiba Kronu asserted that the scheme will be implemented in convergence with the Ayushman Bharat scheme of the Central Government.
This scheme aims to alleviate financial hardships due to hospitalization expenses and prevent inaccessibility to healthcare on account of inability to afford it; stated Kronu.
The scheme has been categorized into CMHIS Employees and Pensioners (EP), and CMHIS (General).
Besides, the state government employees, pensioners, MLAs, ex-MLAs, and staff of state PSUs and other autonomous organizations, who are eligible for monthly medical allowance or reimbursement along with their dependent family members will be part of the first category. The sum disbursed for this category is Rs 20 lakh per family on a floater basis.
For government employees, any additional expenses beyond the sum insured shall be reimbursed on a case-to-case basis on the recommendation of the State Medical Board.
CMHIS (General) category will comprise all indigenous and permanent residents of the state who are not beneficiaries of the Ayushman Bharat or any other public-funded insurance scheme. The sum insured for this category will be Rs 5 lakh per family per annum on a floater basis, similar to Ayushman Bharat, officials said.
The CMHIS (General) beneficiaries will be entitled to more than 1,950 medical and surgical packages. They can avail treatment from hospitals empanelled under Ayushman Bharat across India.
While, the CMHIS (EP) beneficiaries will be entitled to benefits similar to that for central government employees under the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS). These beneficiaries can avail treatment from hospitals empanelled under the CGHS.
The Oriental Insurance Company Ltd is the insurance partner and the government will spend Rs 69 crore as premium for the first year of the scheme.
“The scheme is a state-specific welfare scheme for our people to have an assurance of better access to healthcare services than they had ever before,” said the chief minister while launching the scheme. It is a known fact that many families are driven to poverty or suffer extreme hardship after spending money on medical treatment,” he said, expressing hope that the scheme will prevent such hardships,” – added Kronu.
Rio added that it is also an opportunity for the private hospitals in the state to treat patients and get assured payments.
“This is the first time that they are getting an opportunity to get empanelled and treat patients not only from the general population but also from among government servants who are as of now going for treatment outside the state,” he said.
Launched the CM's Health Insurance Scheme – a State specific welfare scheme. It provides assured cashless benefit to every bonafide citizen of Nagaland that requires hospitalization in the empanelled govt. and pvt. hospitals. I urge every citizen to get enrolled in the portal. pic.twitter.com/cAuZ6iWlUs
— Neiphiu Rio (@Neiphiu_Rio) October 14, 2022
