Mandatory medical insurance for employees post lockdown-Good for families

Mandatory medical insurance for employees post lockdown-Good for families

There is no denial that penetration of health insurance has to increase so that large number of persons who are not part of:
-Group Corporate health insurance (at present voluntary) through insurance companies 
-CGHS
-ESIC
-State Government Health Scheme
-Defence forces Health Scheme
-Railway Health Scheme
-Ayushman

The fact is that this number is very large as they are working for micro units, unorganized sector, are self employed or are what we call daily wage workers.

Under order No. 40-3/2020-DM-I (A) The ministry of home affairs government of India has made it mandatory for all employers, who resume functioning post COVID-19 lockdown in the country, to provide medical insurance to their employees.

As per clause 5 of Annexure – II of the revised guidelines and standard operating procedure for social distancing for offices, workplaces, factories and establishments, medical insurance for the workers is to be made mandatory.

We understand that as a follow up action to this notification of  the government of India, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has asked all general and standalone health insurers to offer comprehensive health insurance policies either to individuals or groups in order to enable the listed organizations/employers/establishments comply with the government of India directives.

Ms. TL Alamelu IRDAI member (non-life) said, “The insurers are advised to devise comprehensive health insurance products with simple wordings, conditions and at affordable cost to be offered to the stated organizations”.

“The above referred organizations should be able to continue the medical insurance policy offered by insurers not only for the present situation but for all time,” said Ms Alamelu.

We see this is a great opportunity to increase the penetration of Health Insurance in the country.