Under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme, a flagship healthcare program by the Government of India, many disadvantaged families were not covered. So, to provide them with similar coverage, the Government of Himachal Pradesh, introduced the Mukhya Mantri Himachal Health Care Scheme (HIMCARE). In this article, we will discuss the benefits of the scheme, eligibility, coverage, and more and how health insurance can improve the healthcare landscape in the country.
HIMCARE: An overview
Given below is a brief overview of the scheme:
Scheme name |
Mukhya Mantri Himachal Health Care Scheme - HIMCARE |
Launched by |
Government of Himachal Pradesh |
Launched on |
January 1, 2019 |
Objective |
To provide cashless treatment coverage on the analogy of Ayushman Bharat. |
Coverage |
Up to Rs. 5 lakh, per family/ per year. |
What is the HIMCARE scheme?
The Government of India shortlisted eligible families for Ayushman Bharat based on SECC, 2011, and RSBY. The Mukhya Mantri Himachal Health Care Scheme was introduced for families which were not covered under the scheme. The HIMCARE scheme offers eligible families cashless treatment coverage up to Rs. 5 lakh annually per family in affiliated hospitals.
Eligibility criteria under Himachal Pradesh Swasthya Bima Yojana
Beneficiaries contribute through co-payment based on their category:
- Category I comprises BPL families, registered street vendors, MNREGA workers with more than 50 days of work, seniors above 70, and orphaned children.
- Category II includes Ekal Naaris, disabled over 40%, Anganwari, ASHA, mid-day meal, daily wage, part-time, contractual, and outsource workers.
- Category III encompasses non-government servants or pensioners and their dependents not covered under I or II.
Benefits of HIMCARE
HIMCARE provides numerous benefits to its beneficiaries, including:
- Enabling cashless treatment, eliminating the need for upfront payments.
- Offering comprehensive coverage of up to Rs. 5 lakh annually per family.
- Extending coverage to families previously excluded from Ayushman Bharat in Himachal Pradesh.
- Implementing varied premium rates based on beneficiaries' socioeconomic categories.
- Simplifying the enrollment process.
- Establishing an extensive network of affiliated hospitals, including PGIMER Chandigarh and GMCH Sector 32 Chandigarh.
Read more: Chief Minister Ladli Behna Yojana
Documents required for HIMCARE
You can refer to the list of documents for HIMCARE enrolment:
BPL |
Attested copy of BPL certificate by the Panchayat Secretary issued within the previous month. |
Registered Street Vendors |
Registration Certificate attested by the Executive Officer of Municipal Corporation/Municipal Council/Nagar Panchayat within the previous month. |
MNREGA Worker |
MNREGA Job Card and Online MIS Report showing 50 days of work under MNREGA in the preceding or current financial year, attested by the Panchayat Secretary/BDO. |
Ekal Naaris |
Certificate issued by the Child Development Program Officer (CDPO) of the respective area, covering Widows/Divorced/Legally Separated/Unmarried individuals over 40 years of age. |
Disabled >40% |
Medical Disability Certificate indicating permanent disability. |
Senior citizens above 70 years of age |
Any valid age proof |
Anganwari Workers/Helpers |
Certificate from the Child Development Program Officer (CDPO) of the relevant area. |
ASHA workers |
Certificate from the Block Medical Officer (BMO) of the concerned area. |
Mid-day meal workers |
Certificate from the Block Elementary Education Officer of the respective area. |
Contractual Employees |
Certification issued by the concerned Department. |
Daily wage workers |
Certification issued by the concerned Department. |
Part time workers |
Certification issued by the concerned Department. |
Outsource employees |
Certification issued by the concerned Department. |
Application process for Himachal Healthcare Scheme
Given below are the steps to apply for Himachal Healthcare Scheme:
Step 1: Generate scanned copies of essential documents. The required documents vary based on your category, such as a BPL card, registration certificate, proof of age, disability certificates, and relevant authority-issued certificates.
Step 2: Access the HIMCARE official website.
Step 3: Navigate to the enrollment section designated for HIMCARE.
Step 4: Input your personal information.
Step 5: Upload the scanned copies of the necessary documents.
Step 6: Submit the application form.
Upon approval by the authorities, you'll receive an E-card enabling access to the insurance scheme.
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Exclusions under HIMCARE scheme
The government identifies certain categories as ineligible for HIMCARE:
- Government servants, pensioners, and their dependents are ineligible.
- Ayushman Bharat beneficiaries are not covered.
- Individuals not meeting the eligibility criteria categories are also excluded.
Conclusively, policies like HIMCARE enable people to access quality healthcare services without worrying about the financial burden related to it.
