The Assam government relaunched the Mukhya Mantri Lok Sevak Arogya Yojana on Wednesday at Lok Sewa Bhawan, introducing several modifications aimed at benefiting employees. The updated scheme simplifies healthcare reimbursements for government employees, pensioners, and their dependents, enabling access to cashless facilities at empanelled hospitals.
Previously, employees had to pay for medical services upfront and claim reimbursements later. This was especially problematic for complex conditions like liver and kidney transplants, where securing significant amounts of money was challenging. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma highlighted that the revised policy stemmed from extensive discussions with employees, which informed the changes based on their feedback.
Sarma reassured those who had registered under the old scheme that they could choose between the previous reimbursement model and the newly implemented cashless system. The initiative has empanelled several institutions for cashless treatment, including all state medical colleges, hospitals under the Assam Cancer Care Foundation, the Dr B Borooah Cancer Institute, GNRC, Down Town Hospital, Medanta Hospital in Gurgaon, Max Healthcare, and Srimanta Sankaradeva Netralaya.
If a particular hospital does not accept cashless payments, the option for reimbursement remains available, ensuring that beneficiaries retain the freedom to choose their healthcare provider. The Chief Minister also noted that the earlier framework involved multiple approval layers, often causing delays of up to two years for employees to receive their reimbursements.
Sarma acknowledged that the prior scheme was plagued by discrepancies and even illegal activities, which notably impacted retired employees. To date, over 223,000 employees and more than 6,000 pensioners have registered under the scheme, with ongoing registration available, even post-medical diagnosis. He announced that employees working for APDCL, AEGCL, APGCL, as well as contractual and wage employees, would soon be eligible to join the initiative.
Originally launched on October 2, 2023, the scheme aims to streamline medical treatment for state government employees, reflecting a commitment to enhancing their welfare.
Original Source: https://assamtribune.com/assam/assam-govt-revamps-health-scheme-brings-cashless-care-for-employees-pensioners-1596177
Category: Assam,Featured
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Publish Date: 2025-10-29 20:58:00
