Health insurance: New third party agency on the cards

PANAJI: The directorate of health services has drafted a fresh tender to select the third party administrator to implement the Deen Dayal Swashtya Seva Yojna (DDSSY), which is the universal health insurance scheme of the state government, and the central government’s Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) healthcare scheme that was launched last year.

“We are awaiting the government’s approval,” said an official. More than 1,000 interventions are covered under the central scheme, whereas 447 are listed under the DDSSY which is being executed through Paramount Health Insurance and Services.

The Goa government had extended the contract with Paramount health insurance, that ends in March.

The officer said the government has not increased the cost for procedures listed under DDSSY, nor has included additional interventions. A total of 2.2 lakh cards have been issued post the renewal process under the DDSSY scheme.

The government has not taken any decision as to whether the scheme should be thrown open again for enrolment for those who may have been left out of the ambit of the scheme. The official said the government’s advice has been sought, however, the number of families who may not have enrolled are likely to be few.