Govt to Open Mediclaim Scheme to Pvt. Hospitals

Deputy chief minister and health minister Francis D'Souza, told the Goa legislative assembly on Friday that the government has agreed in principle to open all 447 interventions (medical) under universal mediclaim scheme, Deen Dayal Swashya Deva Yojna (DDSSY) to private hospitals as well. The process is under way to empanel hospitals and the scheme would be rolled out on August 15, he said.

Originally, less than 200 of the 447 procedures covered under DDSSY had been kept open for private hospitals. The latter had strongly lobbied that all interventions should be opened for them.Replying to a question tabled by St Cruz MLA Atanasio Monserrate alias Babush, and independent MLA Vijai Sardesai, during Question Hour, the health minister said the scheme will be reviewed in March 2017.

The legislators had questioned why certain procedures such as treatment for common colds, fever and ailments needing surgery like hernia and piles were not covered under the new insurance scheme. The health minister said those ailments are treated free of cost at all government hospitals. "Medical treatments entailing high costs should be covered under insurance and not treatment for fevers and colds, the cost of which people can afford easily" he added.

Under DDSSY, cashless hospitalization up to 2.5 lakh for a family of three, and up to 4 lakh for a family of four or more members is available.Responding to a query by opposition leader Pratapsingh Rane, D'Souza said the existing mediclaim scheme would remain in force until the new one became fully applicable. But, treatment for ailments costing 4 lakh and more, which are not covered under the DSSSY scheme, will be considered under mediclaim scheme, he said.