Insurence cover for BPL families

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Sept. 14: At least five members of a family who live below poverty line (BPL) would be brought under health insurance worth Rs 30,000 under the scheme of Rashtriaya Sasthya Bima Yojona (RSBY). To finalise things the director of Employees’ State Insurance Mr A R Bardhan held a meeting with senior officials in Malda on Friday. In the first phase the scheme was introduced in north 24 Parganas, Burdwan and Midnapore East. The objective of RSBY is to protect below poverty line (BPL) households from major health shocks that involve hospitalisation. Specifically, BPL families are entitled to more than 700 in-patient procedures with a cost of up to 30,000 rupees per annum for a nominal registration fee of Rs 30. Pre-existing conditions are covered and there is no age limit. Coverage extends to the head of household, spouse and up to three dependent children or parents.It is learnt that the scheme provides the participating BPL household with choice between public and private hospitals. The design of the scheme involves incentives that are conducive to the expansion of the scheme as well as long run sustainability. In the case of enrollment, the insurer is compensated for each household enrolled and issued a smart card. National Insurance Company would play the insurer. Attended by the district administrative and health officials along with people's representatives, the meeting also expressed hope that private nursing homes would be involved in this scheme.