SHILLONG: Meghalaya Government has decided to extend the policy period of ongoing Megha Health Insurance Scheme (MHIS III) till October 1, 2018.
Informing this here on Tuesday, Health and Family Welfare Minister, AL Hek said that the policy period had been extended since the period was expiring on August 15.
It may be mentioned that the state government recently approved the fourth phase of the Megha Health Insurance Scheme (MHIS) in convergence with the central scheme of Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Swasthya Suraksha Mission or Ayushman Bharat.
Hek said that the fourth phase would cover all the residents of the start and there would be no biometric enrollment but general enrollment for the fourth phase.
According to Hek, Government has decided to go for general enrollment since there are many students and people of Meghalaya who are staying outside the state and with the general enrollment, the people just need to prove that they are residents of Meghalaya.
When asked about the probable launch of the fourth phase of the Megha Health Insurance Scheme (MHIS) in convergence with the central scheme of Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Swasthya Suraksha Mission or Ayushman Bharat, Hek said that it would be launched as soon as the scheme is rolled out at the national level.
The insurance cover of Rs 2.80 lakh under Phase III has been increased to Rs 5 lakh under the fourth phase that includes medical investigations and tests that a patient requires.
MHIS is a universal health insurance scheme for all residents of Meghalaya excluding state and central government employees.
The scheme, which was launched in 2012, has an objective to provide financial aid to all the citizens of the state at the time of hospitalisation and reduce out-of-pocket expenses.
Meanwhile, Hek also said that there was a need to regulate the cost of treatment in both Government and private hospitals and any hospital should have reasonable charges for the treatment of the patients.