WB Health Scheme: State Govt Employees Demand Inclusion of Teachers & ₹5 Lakh Cashless Treatment
WB Health Scheme: The Confederation of State Govt. Employees, West Bengal, has submitted a letter to the state’s Finance Secretary, raising several crucial demands related to the health and well-being of state government employees. This letter is not limited to the issue of pending Dearness Allowance (DA) but also focuses significantly on improving the health scheme for state government employees and teachers. Let’s delve into the main points and demands outlined in this letter.
Cashless Treatment up to ₹5 Lakh, Similar to Swasthya Sathi
One of the foremost demands of the Confederation is to increase the cashless treatment limit under the West Bengal Health Scheme (WBHS) from the current ₹2 lakh to ₹5 lakh. It is believed that the current limit of ₹2 lakh is insufficient in today’s context of rising medical costs. This demand is primarily modeled on the Swasthya Sathi and Ayushman Bharat schemes, where beneficiaries are entitled to medical coverage up to ₹5 lakh. If implemented, this change would allow state government employees to access better and more secure medical treatment.
Faster Online Settlement and Prompt Services
Another critical issue highlighted in the letter is the delay in the online settlement process. The employees demand that the online claim settlement process be made faster and more transparent. In many cases, employees face long waits to get their medical bills reimbursed, which becomes a significant problem for the patient and their family. A swifter process would relieve employees from harassment and ensure they receive their rightful reimbursements on time.
Demand for Inclusion of Teachers and Non-Teaching Staff
The Confederation has also strongly advocated for the inclusion of teachers and non-teaching staff under the purview of the West Bengal Health Scheme. Citing examples from states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Delhi, where teachers are already part of state health schemes, the Confederation has argued that this move would not impose any additional financial burden on the government. This would bring all government employees under one umbrella, ensuring equal access to benefits.
Other Important Demands
- New Rate List: The letter points out that the current rate list for the health scheme was prepared back in 2009. This list is no longer relevant considering current market prices. Therefore, an immediate revision of the rate list is demanded.
- Hospitals and Nursing Homes: Over 70% of the empanelled hospitals, nursing homes, and diagnostic centers are located in Kolkata and its adjoining areas. A demand has been made to empanel more nursing homes and diagnostic centers across the state, similar to the Swasthya Sathi scheme.
- Inclusion based on Basic Pay and Pension: As per the Finance Department’s order 128-F(MED) dated 19.10.2021, the scheme provides for four different categories of families based on their basic pay and pension amounts.
This letter reflects the long-standing demands and grievances of the state government employees. It now remains to be seen how seriously the state government considers these demands and what positive steps are taken in this regard.
