Odisha first State to announce ‘smart health cards’

Context

In a latest development, the Odisha government announced the expansion of its flagship health assurance scheme - ‘Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY)’.

• The Scheme had been implemented by the State instead of the Centre's Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY). 

About the Scheme

• Odisha Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana is a Health Insurance scheme. 
• Through this scheme, all the beneficiaries will receive cashless treatment up to Rs 5 lakh per annum.
• First component: As per the first component of BSKY, the entire population of the State is being provided free treatment in the government hospitals in the State.
• Second Component: The second component will extend cashless health coverage to the smartcard holders in more than 200 empanelled hospitals in the country.

Coverage of the Scheme

• Around 3.5 crore people in 96 lakh families, who are now getting benefits under national and state food security schemes, Annapurna and Antyodaya beneficiaries, will get cashless health coverage under BSKY from September 1 onwards.
• These families will be provided smart health cards under the scheme that will transform the health service delivery system.

How would the health card work?

• Odisha is the first State to introduce smart health cards in the country. 
• These health cards will work as debit cards for the beneficiaries.
• The families will be issued two chip cards printed with the name of the beneficiary and a 12-digit unique registration number. 
• As per the system, no document is required for cashless healthcare services in government facilities. 
• However, the beneficiaries will have to produce the smartcard or food security card (until they get the smart card) at the empanelled private hospitals for availing cashless care up to the annual financial limit.