ESIC beneficiaries to get medical facilities closer to their residences

Beneficiaries of the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) medical scheme will henceforth not be forced to travel more than 10 kms for medical care.

The Union Ministry of Labour and Employment has taken a decision to empanel hospitals across India, in areas where ESIC hospitals, dispensaries or insured medical practitioners are not available within a radius of 10 kms of the residences of the beneficiaries, according to an official press release.  

Keeping in view the sizeable increase in the number of ESI beneficiaries subsequent to expansion of ESI Scheme in newer geographical areas, efforts are constantly being made to strengthen the ESI medical care infrastructure to provide better medical services in the vicinity of beneficiaries' residence, the press release said.

“To avail medical services in such areas, the ESI beneficiaries of such areas may visit the ESI empanelled hospital with ESI e-pehchan Card/Health Passbook along with Aadhar/Govt. issued Identity Card and avail cashless medical consultation for OPD services directly from such hospital. Such beneficiaries may seek reimbursement of purchased medicines prescribed during OPD consultation through nearest Dispensary cum Branch Office (DCBO) or Regional Office of ESIC where DCBO is not available,” according to the press release.

Cases where investigation or admission for indoor treatment is required, the empanelled hospital will obtain the permission from the ESI approving authority through an online system within 24 hours and provide cashless treatment to the beneficiary.