Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme in Tamil Nadu Launched

The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Ms. J. Jayalithaa launched on Wednesday 11th January 2012, a new Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme for providing free medical and surgical treatment to 1.34 crore families in Tamil Nadu at an annual outlay of Rs 750 crore.

Replacing the previous DMK government’s insurance cover, the new Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme would provide a health insurance cover to a family upto Rs. 1 lakh p.a. for 4 years for a total value of Rs. 4 lakhs.

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The insurance cover could go up to Rs 1.50 lakh, in the case of certain procedures. The scheme would be applicable to every member of a family whose annual family income is less than Rs.72,000/-. The scheme is being implemented by the public sector United India Insurance Company.

ID cards for the scheme were handed over to 7 beneficiaries and approval letters for treatment to 7 others on the occasion by Ms. Jayalalithaa.

The release said that the earlier DMK Government's scheme did not benefit everyone and a family was given only Rs. 1 lakh total cover for a block of 4 years. This insurance amount of Rs. 1 lakh was not sufficient for treatment of life saving and major surgeries and no provision was made for post-operative treatment, forcing the poor to borrow money for their medical treatment.

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The abbreviation HIPAA is of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. It was enacted by US Congress a law in 1996, to regulate Healthcare Insurance Industry across USA.

The "Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme" would cover new-borns and would also provide treatment for 1,016 ailments, 113 continuous treatment and 23 diagnostic procedure. Patients would also benefit under the scheme in respect of all investigations even in case no surgery was required ultimately.

No fewer than 250 hospitals across the state would be empanelled for availing treatment under the scheme. Ms. Jayalalithaa handed over a cheque Rs 183.64 crore towards the 1st quarter premium amount to Mr. G. Srinivasan, Chairman & Managing Director of United India Insurance Company, which has been chosen for the implementation of the scheme.

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Source-Medindia

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