THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Despite the crisis, the government is likely to continue the health insurance scheme for government employees, MEDISEP, this year. The data revision process of MEDISEP has been initiated.
MEDISEP was implemented from July 2022, covering around 30 lakh people including government employees, pensioners and their family members. A premium of Rs 500 per month is being collected from employees and pensioners. 660 crores is paid annually to the contracted Oriental Insurance Company. However, the company says that it spent Rs 750 crore in the first year and Rs 700 crore in the second year. In addition, about 39 crore rupees were spent on critical illness, emergency treatment and organ transplants. With this, the insurance company stepped up the action saying that the project was a loss, and many people were denied treatment. Many hospitals refused to provide treatment under MEDISEP.
The contract with Oriental Insurance will end on June 30, 2025. If the company withdraws before then, it will be a breach of contract. The government has the power to take legal action. So the company has to continue with MEDISEP even if it incurs losses. The government is worried that complaints will increase if people do not get the benefits of the scheme.
Three ways before the government