Extension of Medical Reimbursement Deadline for Employees

 Extension of Medical Reimbursement Deadline for Employees 

1. The government has extended the deadline for payment of bills for medical expenses of employees and pensioners till the end of July this year.  Extension orders issued earlier expired on August 31 last year.  With this, the government approved the proposals made by the CEO of Arogyasree Health Trust for extension of the term.  However, the government made it clear in the order that this was the last extension. 

 2.  Arogyasree Health Trust charges a monthly fee of Rs. 225 per month from general employees and pensioners under the Employment Health Scheme (EHS) and Rs. 300 per month from above employees.  They should be provided free medical care without any down payment.  However, free medical care is not fully available, despite the mandatory collection of contributions from employees.  In May last year, the Health Trust warned that no charges would be levied for treatment, but free treatment for employees did not come into effect.  As a result, thousands of reimbursement bills from employees have accumulated with the government.  On the other hand, the deadline for reimbursement is August 31.  Anil Kumar Singhal, Chief Secretary, Department of Health, issued the extension order on Monday, extending the deadline for the last time.