SHILLONG: The implementation of the fourth phase of Megha Health Insurance Scheme (MHIS IV) in convergence with Ayushman Bharat scheme of the Central Government will be delayed as Meghalaya Government is now left with no other option but to go for re-tendering for the scheme.
Informing this here in a press conference, Health and Family Welfare Minister, AL Hek said that they would try to launch the scheme before Christmas probably in the third week of December.
The Secretary of the Health and Family department, Pravin Bakshi said that the department had called for tender and the lowest bidder quoted rates which were very high.
Giving details, he said that the details of the bid were almost as double as the third phase of MHIS III, adding the lowest bidder quoted Rs 1999 as the premium amount for the packages while the rate in Phase III was Rs 911
According to Bakshi, the Union Government had fixed a base premium amount of Rs 1050 and with the amount of Rs 1050, the Government has projected Rs 65 crore for the scheme this year while with the rate of Rs 1999, the total project cost would come to Rs 117 crores.
He said that there were 2560 packages under the MHIS whereas there were 1300 packages under the Ayushman Bharat scheme
“We want the scheme to be as good as the MHIS III,’ Bakshi said while adding that the under the scheme, the Government wants to cover almost 8 lakh households in the state.
It may be mentioned that the coverage period of the MHIS III was extended on two occasion and it basically means that the MHIS III would be discontinued till the time MHIS IV in convergence with Ayushman Bharat is rolled out in the state.
