Citizens can call helpline 104, toll free number 1800-425-8330 for details

Mysore:  The Department of Medical Education and Health and Family Welfare Department have jointly undertaken the distribution of health cards under ‘Ayushman Bharat – Arogya Karnataka’ (ABARK) scheme, where treatment up to Rs. 5 lakh will be provided free of cost for those who have registered themselves in more than 20 citizen service centres across the district and at six KarnatakaOne centres in city.

The cards are being distributed as part of Universal Health Cover programme implemented by both Union and State Governments. Health Cards are distributed only after the biometric verification for all BPL, APL and Aadhaar card holders.

Such cards are being distributed at KarnatakaOne Centres in city located behind Vidyavardhaka First Grade College on Seshadri Iyer Road, Jayanagar Railway Gate near Krishnamurthypuram, at Nazarbad Main Road Park, near JSS Public School in Siddarthanagar, Vivekanandanagar and near Doctor’s Corner in Gokulam Third Stage.

The cards are also being distributed at all Taluk Government Hospitals at Hunsur, K.R. Nagar, Periyapatna, Nanjangud, T. Narasipur, H.D. Kote and at eight Community Health Centres.

The Prime Minister’s Office has directed the State Government to adopt a biometric system to enrol and issue Health Cards to beneficiaries. The State Government has also issued directions to Government Hospitals and common service centres to enrol and issue smart cards to beneficiaries only after verifying through an Aadhaar-based biometric system. The beneficiaries have to get enrolled and get Health Cards by visiting the above mentioned designated centres to avail benefits.

“Card holders must avail treatment in Government Hospitals only. Government Hospitals are well-equipped to provide treatment for most health conditions. Only in cases where a Government Hospital falls short of providing adequate treatment, the patient would be referred to a Private Hospital with the same Health Card. People can avail treatment to more than 169 health issues identified by the Government,” according to officials.

There will be two categories of people under the Card. Category-A will be a priority category which  include Below Poverty Line (BPL) card holders comprising farmers, deprived households, labourers from the unorganised sectors, pourakarmikas, SC/ST community people and members of Co-operative Societies. Category-B includes  Above Poverty Line (APL) card holders and all general community people.

While Category-A patients will get cashless treatment, Category-B patients should make payment and the percentage of the payment is being discussed. Category-B beneficiaries can get 30% of the cost reimbursed by the State Government.

A family of five members will be given Rs.30,000 for primary care, Rs.1.5 lakh for secondary care and Rs.50,000 will be given for tertiary and emergency care treatment.

With the Health Card, a person can avail primary, secondary, tertiary and emergency treatment at Government-owned Hospitals, Medical College Hospitals and empanelled Private Hospitals. In case of accidental and medical emergencies, however, the treatment and surgical procedures can be availed at the nearest hospital and the patient can be transported to a Government Hospital after 48 hours. The Government will fix rates for various secondary and tertiary procedures to be paid to Private Hospitals. Till then, Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust rates will apply.

75,587 Health Cards distributed

Officials in the Health Department told Star of Mysore that the Department has already distributed 75,587 Health Cards to individuals across the city and Mysuru district.

Citizens have to pay Rs.10 to avail A-4 size paper Health Card and another Rs.35 for PVC Smart Health Card.

More details can be had by calling toll free number 1800-425-8330 or Helpline 104 or log on Arogya Karnataka or this link or by visiting the nearest Government Hospital.