Telangana cashless health scheme expands to 919 hospitals

Telangana’s New Employees Health Scheme has expanded cashless treatment access to 919 hospitals, according to figures released by the state government. The scheme covers government employees, pensioners and eligible family members. The empanelled hospitals include 778 private facilities and 141 government hospitals.

Police personnel were brought under the scheme from September 1. Since its launch on July 17, the scheme has received pre-authorisation for 15,395 treatments involving ₹104.63 crore, the government said. It is funded through monthly contributions of 1.5% of basic pay or basic pension from employees and pensioners, matched by the government.

The monthly fund is ₹88 crore, with each side contributing about ₹44 crore. The annual budget is estimated at ₹1,056 crore, and funds covering three months have already been transferred to the scheme’s trust. The scheme includes outpatient services at wellness centres, covering consultations, diagnostic tests and medicines.

Twelve centres are operating across 12 districts, while proposals have been prepared for 25 more centres, including four in Hyderabad and Medchal-Malkajgiri. For inpatient care, 1,816 treatment packages are being implemented. They cover treatment, medicines, diagnostics, consumables, implants and follow-up services.

Emergency patients may use the nearest empanelled hospital without prior referral, provided details are sent to the trust within the required period. As of September 28, health cards had been generated for 12,56,962 beneficiaries, of whom 7,56,210 had downloaded them. Officials said eligible people could receive care using identification numbers even without a card.

The government has released ₹70 crore towards old scheme bills, while ₹100.52 crore remains outstanding, including payments to private and government hospitals.