Assam CM Launches Mukhya Mantri Lok Sewak Arogya Yojana for Medical Bill Reimbursement

As part of this program, medical expenses will be reimbursed at rates on par with those of the Central Government Health Schemes (CGHS), and these reimbursements will be promptly deposited into the accounts of eligible employees within specified time limits.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has unveiled the Mukhya Mantri Lok Sewak Arogya Yojana, an online medical bill reimbursement scheme designed to benefit Government of Assam employees, pensioners, and their dependents.

Under this initiative, medical bills will be reimbursed at rates equivalent to those of the Central Government Health Schemes (CGHS). The reimbursement will be directly credited to the accounts of the claimant employees within a defined time frame.

Additionally, the scheme is set to introduce a cashless payment option in the future, as stated in an official announcement.

Speaking at the ceremonial launch held at the Sankardev Kalakshetra International Auditorium in Guwahati, Chief Minister Sarma expressed that the Mukhya Mantri Lok Sewak Arogya Yojana would significantly reduce bureaucratic red tapism and simplify the medical bill reimbursement process, providing substantial relief to government employees.

Chief Minister Sarma said, "One can get his or her medical bills reimbursed for treatment at any hospital of their choice, a departure from the earlier norm that required one to get treated only at government-empanelled hospitals for his or her bills to be successfully processed."

The government is actively working on streamlining paperwork to make medical treatment benefits under the scheme cashless in as many hospitals as possible.

Starting from April 1, 2024, government employees will be able to access cashless medical treatment at medical colleges throughout the State and at AIIMS in Changsari. Furthermore, from October 2, 2024, treatments under the scheme at leading hospitals across the country will also become cashless.

Chief Minister Sarma clarified that the old medical reimbursement system would continue to be operational for those employees who prefer not to shift to the Mukhya Mantri Lok Sewak Arogya Yojana.

As part of the Swacch Bharat Divas celebrations, Sarma ceremonially transferred the first instalment of INR 9,000 each to the bank accounts of 1 Lakh beneficiaries under the Individual Household Latrine (IHHL) scheme.

The event witnessed the presence of key dignitaries, including Ministers of the Assam Cabinet Keshab Mahanta and Jayanta Mallabaruah, Mayor of Guwahati Municipal Corporation Mrigen Sarania, Additional Chief Secretary S. Abbasi, and Commissioner & Secretary (Health) Siddharth Singh, among others.

The launch of the Mukhya Mantri Lok Sewak Arogya Yojana is set to simplify and enhance medical bill reimbursement for government employees and pensioners in Assam, marking a significant step toward improving healthcare accessibility and reducing bureaucratic hurdles in the state.