Government Eases Insurance Scheme For Health Workers: Claims To Settle In 48 Hours

With an aim to streamline the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package (PMGKP) insurance scheme, to provide relief to health workers battling against COVID-19, the government announced that the claims will now be certified by the district collectors of the respective state governments and insurance companies will approve, settle the claims within a period of 48 hours. According to a statement released by the Ministry of Health on Tuesday, June 1, the move comes after some states raised concerns that the processing of the insurance claims was getting delayed. 

The government has extended the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package insurance scheme by one year, with effect from April 24, 2021. The insurance scheme for health workers was initially launched on March 30, 2020, for a period of 90 days with an aim to provide a comprehensive personal accident cover of Rs. 50 lakh to all COVID-19 frontline healthcare workers. The scheme also covers private health workers identified by the government treating COVID-19 patients and for those who came in direct contact with infected patients, being at a high risk of contracting the infection.

The insurance scheme for health workers is being implemented through an insurance policy from the New India Assurance Company or NIACL. According to the government, the insurance policy scheme has been extended twice so far.

‘Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package' insurance scheme streamlined: Here's what you need to know
 

• According to the government, the new system is introduced for the quick approval of claims and to simplify the process of the insurance scheme for health workers. As per the new directions, the claims will be approved by the state government at the level of the District Collector.
• The health ministry added that the District Collector will certify the claim in each case in accordance with the SoPs (standard operating procedure) of the insurance scheme. 
• Based upon the certificate of the District Collector, the insurance company will approve and settle the claims for the health workers within a period of 48 hours. In order to maintain uniformity, the District Collector will also certify the claims in cases of central government hospitals or AIIMS/railways etc.
• The health ministry stated that the new system for easing the insurance scheme comes into effect immediately and has informed all states government, union territory administrations for the same.