the goan I network
PANAJI
Health Minister Vishwajit Rane on Tuesday had a meeting with Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar to discuss the future of the universal healthcare Deen Dayal Swasthya Seva Yojana (DDSSY) scheme.
The state’s DDSSY scheme and the central government’s Ayushman Bharat Yojana are likely to be merged in the near future.
Discussions are on about how to merge the schemes.
If the schemes are merged, healthcare insurance will be funded 60% by the Center under the Ayushman scheme, and 40% by the state government.
Until further developments, DDSSY will continue running as it is currently being run, i.e. by the TPA - the body that is running the scheme in the absence of an insurance company.
The government has been in negotiations with insurance companies when the contract of the last insurance company, United Insurance, ended in May this year.
The TPA was initially to run the scheme till August, till the government could reach an agreement with an insurance company.
However, Rane has now said that this period may increase.
“If need be, we will increase the time period by two months after August. Things are running smoothly now even without an insurance company in the picture. We will discuss about engaging a new insurance company in the coming days,” the Health Minister said on Tuesday.
