In a significant move for state government staff, approximately 35,000 employees in Karnataka have received formal approval to access benefits under the newly launched Karnataka Arogya Sanjeevini Scheme (KASS). This health insurance initiative promises cashless medical treatment for enrolled employees and their dependants.
Massive Enrollment with Deemed Opt-In Feature
According to the latest data from the state health department, a total of 80,000 individuals, comprising employees and their family members, have registered for the scheme out of a potential pool of 5.1 lakh government staff. The approval process requires employees to register in a dedicated database and subsequently get validated by their respective Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs).
A senior health department official clarified the status of the remaining enrollees, stating that while 35,000 have been officially approved, the others are considered 'deemed opt-in' as they did not actively choose to leave the scheme. The official noted that around 4,500 employees have formally opted out, primarily to enroll in alternative government or private insurance plans.
Scheme Rollout and Contribution Structure
The Karnataka Arogya Sanjeevini Scheme officially became operational on October 1. Initially, employees were provided a window until October 18 to submit a written declaration to opt out. This deadline was later extended until the end of November to accommodate staff involved in a statewide socioeconomic survey.
The scheme is funded through monthly salary deductions, with the contribution amount tiered based on employee category:
- Group A: Rs 1,000 per month
- Group B: Rs 500 per month
- Group C: Rs 350 per month
- Group D: Rs 250 per month
Challenges in Hospital Empanelment
Despite the promising start, the scheme's implementation is facing practical hurdles. A major concern is the current limited network of hospitals where cashless treatment can be availed. While the scheme envisioned empanelment with 592 hospitals, only 232 facilities are currently onboard. The government is yet to sign Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the remaining hospitals.
Sadananda Nelkudri, Secretary of the Karnataka State Government Employees Association, explained the reluctance of some private hospitals. He cited past delays in reimbursement from the government in previous health schemes as a key deterrent. However, he expressed optimism for the KASS, noting, "Since this scheme involves contributions from employees, the government cannot cite any budget problems. Once the government reaches an agreement with private hospitals in this regard, more hospitals will empanel."
The success of the Karnataka Arogya Sanjeevini Scheme now hinges on rapidly expanding the hospital network to ensure accessible cashless treatment for the thousands of government employees and their families who have placed their trust in this new healthcare safety net.
