MUMBAI: While the world is grappling with an overwhelming population rushing to the hospitals amidst the Covid-19 outbreak, many are left to worry about the rising medical expenses. In order to provide relief to the population, the Government of Maharashtra has announced free health insurance scheme for all its citizens. Maharashtra becomes the first state in the country to take such a step.
According to Rajesh Tope, Minister of Health, Government of Maharashtra, people in the state can avail free and cashless health insurance as part of the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana. Documents like ration cards and domicile certificates are essential to apply for the scheme. Currently, the scheme covers nearly 85 per cent of the population in the state. Tope said that from now on, the benefits of the scheme are being extended to state government, semi-government employees and white ration card holders, taking the reach of the scheme to 100 per cent of the population in the state.
“The government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the General Insurance Public Sector Association (GIPSA) for treatment of COVID-19 patients at private hospitals in Pune and Mumbai,” Tope added.
The minister added that the extension of the scheme will not be revoked and will be modified to apply for treatment of all diseases at all hospitals in the state. The scheme will now cover more than 1,000 hospitals across the state in comparison to just 496 hospitals in the past. The state government has also capped the fees of Covid-19 treatment in private hospitals in order to stop private hospitals from charging exorbitant fees. Moreover, hospitals that are not connected with the GIPSA, will also have to standardise their treatment fees.