Medical Benefit Rules: ESIC has increased the salary range for retired employees to get medical benefits. Besides, it has also been decided to open an AYUSH unit.
Medical Benefit Rules: Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) has given great news to retired employees. The Corporation has approved the proposal to provide medical benefits to the retired employees removed from the ESI Scheme due to high salaries. The Labor Ministry said on Saturday that this decision was taken during the 193rd meeting of ESIC chaired by Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav. In this new scheme, those people will be entitled to medical benefits, who were employed under the scheme for at least 5 years after April 1, 2012. Also, retired or voluntarily retired with a salary of Rs 30 thousand on or after April 1, 2015.
AYUSH 2023 policy will also be implemented
In this meeting, it was also decided to bring AYUSH 2023 policy for the mental and physical welfare of those covered under ESI. This policy will be implemented in all ESIC centres. Under this, Panchkarma, Kshara Sutra and AYUSH units will be opened in ESIC hospitals.
Medical infrastructure will increase in North-East
According to Union Labor Minister Bhupendra Yadav, in the meeting it was also decided to increase medical services and infrastructure in the North-East state and Sikkim to fulfill the vision of the government’s Act East Policy. Rules were relaxed for establishment of ESIC dispensaries, medical infrastructure, regional-sub-regional offices in these states.
ESI Healthcare Services at Zero User Charge
In the meeting, approval was given to acquire land for the construction of 100-bed hospitals in Udupi, Karnataka and Idukki, Kerala. Besides, approval has also been given for the construction of a 150 bedded hospital in Malerkotla, Punjab. Apart from this, it was decided to extend the concessional facilities for non-IP people to avail ESI Healthcare Services at zero user charge in ESIC Medical Colleges and Hospitals in Alwar, Rajasthan and Bihta, Bihar till 31 March 2025.
Benefits of ESI Scheme
The ESI scheme provides full medical care in the form of medical attendance, treatment, medicines and injections, specialist consultation and hospitalization to the insured persons and their family members. The ESI scheme is applicable to factories and other establishments like road transport, hotels, restaurants, cinemas, newspapers, shops and educational/medical institutions employing 10 or more people.
