The number of individuals insured under Rajiv Gandhi Shilpi Swasthya Bima Yojana (RGSSBY) - the first ever 'cashless' health insurance initiative for Artisans in India - crossed 19 lacs as on September 30, 2009.
Artisans spread over 29 states and 608 districts benefit from this comprehensive health insurance scheme facilitated by the Development Commissioner- Handicrafts under the Ministry of Textiles. All Artisans (men and women) up to the age of 80 years are eligible for coverage. Under this innovative government sponsored health insurance scheme the Artisan, spouse and two dependents are covered annually for hospitalization expenses up to Rs.15,000. The principal member Artisan is also covered for Rs 1 lakh due to personal accident.
For the first time in the country a health insurance scheme is giving access to cashless treatment for OPD (outpatient) treatment. The network of 860 OPD centres includes selected clinics that provide day-to-day treatment on a cashless basis to the Artisans including alternative therapies such as Unani, Ayurveda, Homeopathy and Siddha. The insured Artisans can also get access to cashless hospitalization in over 2,683 network hospitals across urban and rural India. Nearly 6 lakh policy holders this year availed of RGSSBY's unique 'cashless' facility.
The RGSSBY health scheme is underwritten by ICICI Lombard General Insurance and covers comprehensive pre and post-hospitalization expenses for the Artisan, his/her spouse and two children/dependants/parents. The medical expenses cover pre-existing diseases, new ailments, maternity benefits, dental treatment, eye treatment, spectacles, domiciliary hospitalization and alternative therapies like Ayurvedic, Unani, Homeopathic and Siddha. Artisans are also entitled to personal accident coverage for themselves.
Source-PRwire
SRM
