State Extends Medical Insurance Scheme for Employees and Pensioners Until September 30

The State government has extended the Medical Insurance Scheme for State Employees and Pensioners (Medisep) for three more months, till September 30, with the same terms and conditions as the original Memorandum of Understanding. The premium charged for the extended period is ₹1,593, including GST, per family for the entire three months period. The government will meet the additional expense from the balance in the corpus fund, ensuring that neither beneficiaries nor the State exchequer incur any additional payment.

In a significant move to ensure the continuity of healthcare services for state employees and pensioners, the Kerala government has extended the Medical Insurance Scheme for State Employees and Pensioners (Medisep) for three more months. The extension, which will be effective till September 30, will maintain the same terms and conditions as the original Memorandum of Understanding with the implementing insurance firm, Oriental Insurance Company [1].

The decision to extend Medisep comes at a critical juncture as the three-year policy period of the scheme is set to expire on June 30, 2025. To facilitate a smooth transition and allow for a comprehensive review of the scheme, the government has set up a six-member expert committee. The committee is tasked with studying the existing scheme and recommending appropriate revisions. The extension will enable the government to scrutinize the committee's recommendations and float a new tender for the revised scheme [1].

The premium charged for the extended period is ₹1,593, including GST, per family for the entire three months. This slight increase, which works out to ₹531 per month, is higher than the current actual premium of ₹472 per month. However, the government has decided to meet this additional expense from the balance in the corpus fund, ensuring that neither the beneficiaries nor the State exchequer incur any additional payment [1].

One notable aspect of the extension is the re-negotiation with the insurance company to provide basic insurance coverage of ₹75,000 for families who have already exhausted their sum insured or have a balance sum insured of less than ₹75,000 as on June 30. This coverage is fixed in proportion to the additional premium paid by the government per family for the extended period [1].

The extension of Medisep is part of the government's ongoing efforts to enhance the healthcare coverage for its employees and pensioners. The scheme, launched in July 2022, initially offered a basic insurance cover of ₹3 lakh at a monthly premium of around ₹500. It currently covers over 30 lakh individuals, including 5.45 lakh government employees, 5.89 lakh pensioners, and their dependents [1].

The extension of Medisep aligns with the government's broader strategy to improve healthcare services and ensure the well-being of its employees and pensioners. As the scheme continues to evolve, the government's focus on providing comprehensive and affordable healthcare remains a priority.

References:
[1] https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/state-issues-go-extending-medisep-for-three-more-months/article69709800.ece