Technical snag in RSBY leaves 28 lakh without insurance cover

Technical snags in implementation of Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) — the cashless health insurance scheme for the poor — in the state has left at least 28.2 lakh beneficiaries in 34 districts without health insurance cover for more than a month.

These glitches compelled the state government to issue new RSBY cards for the fifth phase rather than renewing old cards as was earlier planned.

RSBY provides an annual insurance cover of Rs 30,000 that also extends to people living below poverty line on payment of Rs 30. The premium is borne by the state and the Centre. The insurance is cashless as every beneficiary is provided with a smart card,which he or she can use in empaneled hospitals across the state.