Telangana Cabinet Unveils New Health and Insurance Schemes for Employees and Pensioners
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Hyderabad, Feb 23 (NationPress) The Cabinet of Telangana has officially sanctioned a comprehensive accident insurance scheme alongside a cashless health scheme aimed at all governmental employees and pensioners within the state.
During a Cabinet meeting led by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, the new accident insurance plan was ratified, ensuring full financial protection for government personnel and retirees.
Minister for Information and Public Relations, Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, informed the media about the Cabinet's resolutions on Monday night, indicating that all active government employees and pensioners in Telangana will benefit from this initiative.
This scheme will not require any premium payments from employees, placing no financial strain on the government, and will extend coverage to 5.19 lakh regular employees and 2.38 lakh pensioners, resulting in a total of 7.57 lakh beneficiaries.
In the event of accidental death, ₹1.2 crore will be disbursed as compensation. Additionally, for those who pass away from natural causes before the age of 60, ₹10 lakh will be provided alongside standard benefits.
The Cabinet also endorsed the Cashless Employee Health Scheme (EHS), fulfilling a long-standing request from employees. This scheme encompasses 3.56 lakh employees, 2.88 lakh pensioners, and their dependent family members, totaling 17.07 lakh beneficiaries.
All treatments will be cashless in government hospitals and 652 approved private hospitals, covering up to 1,998 medical procedures.
The minister mentioned that Digital Health Employee Cards will be distributed to beneficiaries through the Rajiv Aarogyasri Health Care Trust as part of this scheme.
Employees will contribute 1.5% of their basic salary, with an equivalent contribution from the government. The annual budget for this Trust will amount to ₹1,056 crore, split evenly between employees and the government.
In a move toward reforming the health sector, the Cabinet decided to transition the Telangana Vaidya Vidhana Parishad (TVVP) into the Directorate of Secondary Health (DSH). This change will shift the TVVP from autonomous status to a fully operational government department, enhancing the procurement process for medicines and surgical supplies. It aims to improve salary distribution and healthcare services.
Furthermore, a specialized committee led by Health Minister Damodar Raja Narasimha will examine structural reforms in hospital management, including the separation of medical and administrative roles.