Ranchi: In a significant move to enhance healthcare access for state employees and their families, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has approved the long-awaited State Employee Health Insurance Scheme.
The scheme, aimed at providing comprehensive health insurance benefits to both current and retired state employees, will be rolled out soon following approval from the Council of Ministers.
According to the officials, this initiative, which follows Resolution No. 185(13) issued by the Department of Health, Medical Education, and Family Welfare in Jharkhand on July 31, 2023, comes after a series of challenges that previously hindered the implementation of the scheme. However, the Health Department has now resolved the issues, clearing the way for the launch.
Key Features of the Scheme:
The scheme will cover a wide range of eligible beneficiaries, including:
- Current Members of the State Legislative Assembly
- State Government Employees (active and retired) and their dependent family members, such as:
- Spouse
- Unemployed sons (up to 25 years old), including legally adopted sons
- Unmarried, widowed, or deserted daughters
- Minor brothers and unmarried sisters
- Dependent parents earning less than Rs. 9,000 per month, including dearness relief
- Disabled dependents of employees or retirees
Coverage Details:
Eligible beneficiaries will receive annual health insurance coverage of up to Rs. 5 lakh, with an additional Rs. 5 lakh for critical illnesses, bringing the total coverage to Rs. 10 lakh per family per year. Disabled dependents will benefit from lifelong coverage. In cases of critical illnesses, the coverage will extend up to Rs. 10 lakh annually.
To support the scheme, the Jharkhand government has set aside a Corporate Buffer Fund of Rs. 50 crore to cover additional costs related to critical illnesses. Furthermore, the Jharkhand State Arogya Society will manage a Corpus Fund to address any medical expenses that exceed the coverage limits.
This new health insurance initiative marks a significant step towards improving the welfare and healthcare security of the state’s employees and their families. The scheme is expected to provide much-needed financial relief and ensure better access to healthcare services for thousands of beneficiaries across Jharkhand.
