Shimla: The state government is going to take a big decision on the Himcare scheme created to provide cashless treatment to the people left out of the Government of India’s Ayushman Scheme in Himachal. In this scheme, 31 lakh, 29 thousand cards have been made in Himachal, and till now, 364 crores have been paid.
In the audit of this outstanding payment, the Health Department has found many big flaws in this scheme. Health Secretary M. Sudha Devi had also had an audit done at IGMC regarding this. Based on these flaws, a presentation has now been prepared by the Health Secretary for the Chief Minister. After seeing this presentation, this matter will be put in the cabinet, and the decision regarding the future of this scheme will be taken in the cabinet itself.
The audit has revealed that state government employees who get the facility of medical reimbursement separately are also taking advantage of Himcare. This scheme is also being misused due to free diagnostic services. Cases of selective surgery have also come to light in many private hospitals, while this scheme was started so that no poor patient loses his life without treatment. Due to non-payment after treatment under this scheme, many private hospitals that were empaneled have now stopped accepting Himcare cards. Himcare had also been closed in the big medical colleges of the state, but due to the amount of 100 crores released in April, work has started again. Outside Himachal, PGI Chandigarh and Sector-32 hospitals are empaneled in Himcare. Cashless facilities were being provided at a total of 141 health institutions.