<p>The Andhra Pradesh government Sunday presented a Diwali gift to its employees by announcing "cashless health card" scheme, said to be the first of its kind in the country.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy approved the scheme under which free health services would be provided to 14 lakh employees, pensioners and their family members. It will benefit a total of about 70 lakh people, said a statement from the chief minister's office.<br /><br />The scheme requires Rs.400 crore every year. Sixty percent of this amount will be borne by the government and 40 percent by the employee/pensioner's contribution. Monthly contribution from the employees/pensioners will be Rs.90 to Rs.120 depending on pay scales.<br /><br />The scheme will cover about 1,885 procedures in both private and government hospitals all over the state.<br /><br />The chief minister took the decision after a review meeting with Finance Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy, Health Minister Kondru Murali, Chief Secretary P.K. Mohanty and other officials.<br /><br />The chief minister said the employee health scheme card is a very enabling provision for easy, hassle-free treatment. He also said the scheme will be reviewed after six months if necessary, shortcomings will be resolved and additional treatments will be added.<br /><br />The main objective of the scheme is to provide healthcare to the state government employees, pensioners and their dependent family members through a cashless, seamless and transparent scheme.<br /><br />Aarogyasri Healthcare Trust will implement the Scheme. A steering committee headed by Chief Secretary will monitor the scheme from time to time.<br /><br />Families living below poverty line in the state are already enjoying free healthcare in corporate hospitals under Rajiv Arogyasri.<br /></p>
<p>The Andhra Pradesh government Sunday presented a Diwali gift to its employees by announcing "cashless health card" scheme, said to be the first of its kind in the country.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy approved the scheme under which free health services would be provided to 14 lakh employees, pensioners and their family members. It will benefit a total of about 70 lakh people, said a statement from the chief minister's office.<br /><br />The scheme requires Rs.400 crore every year. Sixty percent of this amount will be borne by the government and 40 percent by the employee/pensioner's contribution. Monthly contribution from the employees/pensioners will be Rs.90 to Rs.120 depending on pay scales.<br /><br />The scheme will cover about 1,885 procedures in both private and government hospitals all over the state.<br /><br />The chief minister took the decision after a review meeting with Finance Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy, Health Minister Kondru Murali, Chief Secretary P.K. Mohanty and other officials.<br /><br />The chief minister said the employee health scheme card is a very enabling provision for easy, hassle-free treatment. He also said the scheme will be reviewed after six months if necessary, shortcomings will be resolved and additional treatments will be added.<br /><br />The main objective of the scheme is to provide healthcare to the state government employees, pensioners and their dependent family members through a cashless, seamless and transparent scheme.<br /><br />Aarogyasri Healthcare Trust will implement the Scheme. A steering committee headed by Chief Secretary will monitor the scheme from time to time.<br /><br />Families living below poverty line in the state are already enjoying free healthcare in corporate hospitals under Rajiv Arogyasri.<br /></p>