The Odisha government has introduced the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana 2024 to offer universal health insurance coverage. Under this BSKY scheme, the state government will prioritize the health protection of economically vulnerable families. The government of Odisha aims to provide Rs. 5 lakh per family per year for healthcare assistance, specifically for secondary and tertiary procedures of treatment. This cashless treatment initiative is expected to benefit 96 lakh families, comprising approximately 3.5 crore people, at all government and private empaneled hospitals.
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BIJU SWASTHYA KALYAN YOJANA LATEST UPDATES
On December 29, 2023, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched the third phase of the state’s flagship health scheme – Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY).
Under the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY), all citizens visiting any state government health institution, ranging from district to sub-center level, will receive health services completely free of cost. The health insurance cover for each member is Rs. 5 lakh, with an additional amount of Rs. 5 lakh provided to women beneficiaries. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik initially launched BSKY on August 15, 2018.
Latest Update on Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana
In 2022, over 6 lakh individuals from economically disadvantaged families in Odisha benefited from cashless and free treatment at various private hospitals through the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY), a health scheme implemented by the state government.
Approximately 6.31 lakh individuals, possessing either the BSKY smart card or the PDS card, received high-quality and free treatment in different specialty hospitals in the private sector from January 1 to December 25 of that year. The state government disbursed around Rs 1,389 crore to the empaneled private sector hospitals for providing free treatment to these economically challenged patients.
The beneficiaries receiving treatment under BSKY came from all 30 districts of Odisha. Swasthya Mitras, appointed by the Odisha government in these hospitals, offered support to these patients. The Swasthya Mitras service was introduced to guide and assist BSKY beneficiaries at empaneled hospitals, addressing issues related to card usage, cashless treatment, and other concerns promptly.
The Odisha government has not adopted the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), the Central government’s health coverage scheme for the poor, asserting that its own scheme is more comprehensive and effective.
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Third Phase of Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana Launched
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has recently launched the third phase of the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY), the state’s flagship health scheme.
This expansion aims to cover over 1.10 crore families, approximately 90% of the state’s population, providing health assurance. Patnaik introduced the ‘BSKY Nabin Card’ for beneficiaries, extending cashless health services to all left-out rural families for critical ailments.
The scheme, initiated five years ago, now includes all rural families except regular government employees and income taxpayers. New beneficiaries are entitled to cashless care up to Rs 5 lakh per annum, with Rs 10 lakh coverage for women in empanelled private hospitals.
The BSKY has evolved into a unique model for universal health coverage, integrating public and private sectors to offer comprehensive health assurance in Odisha.
#SusthaOdisha, #SukhiOdisha has been the driving force behind all interventions in health sector in #Odisha. It has been my dream to provide universal health coverage to the people of Odisha where healthcare is a right; accessible and affordable for all. To take this vision… pic.twitter.com/lHHZxSiSJS
We are launching 3rd phase of BSKY, where all left out families of rural areas of our State will be assured of cashless care in private hospitals, for critical ailments. All rural families of Odisha (except regular Govt employees & income tax payees), who are presently not… pic.twitter.com/0RvwarDvoT
In this article, we will tell you about the complete details of the Odisha Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana 2024:-
BSKY Smart Health Card Scheme
The Odisha government has initiated the distribution of smart health cards under the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) to its beneficiaries. During Independence Day celebrations in Bhubaneswar, CM Naveen Patnaik had announced the issuance of smart health cards to 3.5 crore people in the state under BSKY.
The distribution of these smart health cards commenced during a program at Sanskruti Bhawan in Malkangiri district on August 20, 2021. Sukri Dhangidi Majhi, a woman from the Bona tribe, was the first recipient of the smart health card from the chief minister at the event.
Best Healthcare without Expense: CM Naveen Patnaik
As many as 96 lakh households and 3.5 crore BSKY beneficiaries in Odisha are set to receive smart health cards. In Malkangiri district alone, 1.55 lakh families will benefit from this initiative. Starting from September 1, 2021, individuals will be able to utilize these smart health cards to access healthcare facilities at both government and private hospitals. Odisha is the first state in the country to introduce such a facility in the health sector. The distribution of these cards will be carried out in phases. CM Naveen Patnaik highlighted that this move represents a historic paradigm shift in the healthcare services system in India, ensuring that patients receive the best healthcare without any expense.
BSKY Smart Healthcare Scheme to Minimize Pressure on Families
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik emphasized the significance of health by stating, “Health is wealth.” He acknowledged the financial burden that families often face when a member falls ill, leading to concerns about hospital treatment expenses. He highlighted that people might resort to selling their property, taking loans, or even interrupting their children’s education to gather funds for medical treatment. The introduction of the smart health card under the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana aims to alleviate this financial pressure on households, enabling them to redirect their savings towards education and other household expenses.
Smart Health Cards Benefits – Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana
As per the Odisha government’s BSKY Smart Health Card Scheme, individuals can easily visit a hospital with their smart card and access all necessary treatments without any hassle. Beneficiaries of BSKY can receive treatment at all government hospitals and 806 private empaneled hospitals. The introduction of smart cards aims to streamline the process of availing healthcare facilities. Under the scheme, family members can avail benefits up to Rs 5 lakh per annum, while the limit for women members of the family is extended to Rs 10 lakh.
Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana Guidelines
The Odisha government has decided to issue new Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) smart health cards to all 96 lakh families covered under the national and state food security schemes. The BSKY smart health cards will be provided to NFSA/SFSA beneficiaries, and until the distribution is complete, families can use their existing NFSA/SFSA cards to avail benefits starting from September 1, 2021.
The rollout of the new Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana will occur in a phased manner, starting with Malkangiri, Sundargarh, Gajapati, Bolangir, and Mayurbhanj districts in the first phase, expanding to cover all districts by November 2021. The scheme will undergo changes in eligibility criteria, and reputed private hospitals in major cities outside the state will be empaneled under BSKY and integrated into the online BSKY platform.
For more detailed information, the guidelines document for BSKY can be downloaded in PDF format from this link.
Check the Revised Eligibility Criteria for BSKY
BSKY Smart health card to all NFSA/ SFSA beneficiaries
Till the BSKY card is distributed, the family can use their NFSA/ SFSA cards to avail benefits, w.e.f., 01.09.2021
As per the H&FW department, an additional 20,80,328 lakh families will be covered and issued the BSKY card.
How to avail the BSKY Benefits
In government health facilities, the current system does not require any documents for cashless healthcare services.
For empaneled private hospitals, beneficiaries need to present either the BSKY Smart Health Card, NFSA card, or SFSA card to avail cashless care up to an annual financial limit, effective from September 1, 2021.
Components of Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana
The Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) aims to achieve its objective of providing health protection to economically weaker sections through two main components:
1. Free Health Services for All:
– This component offers free health services to all individuals, regardless of income, status, or residence.
– The services are provided in all State Government healthcare facilities, ranging from the sub-center level up to the District Head Quarter Hospital level.
2. Additional Facility for Economically Vulnerable Families:
– This component extends additional facilities of free healthcare beyond the District Headquarters hospital level.
– It covers over 96 lakh economically vulnerable families in the State, providing them with an annual health coverage of Rs. 5 lakh per family.
– Women members of the family are entitled to a higher coverage of Rs. 10 lakh.
These components together contribute to the comprehensive healthcare coverage under the BSKY, addressing the needs of different segments of the population.
Eligibility Criteria for BSKY Scheme in Odisha
Here is the complete eligibility criteria for the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) in Odisha:
1. Free Healthcare Services at Government Health Care Institutions:
– All families are eligible for free healthcare services at government healthcare institutions up to the District Head Quarter Hospital level.
2. Additional Facility for Free Healthcare:
– For the additional facility of free healthcare beyond the District Headquarters hospital level, through an annual health coverage of Rs 5 lakh per annum per family and Rs 10 lakh per annum for women members of the family, the following categories are eligible:
– Currently enrolled Biju Krushak Kalyan Yojana cardholders
– Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana cardholders
– BPL cardholders
– Anatodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) cardholders
– Families with an annual income below Rs. 50,000/- in rural areas
– Families with an annual income below Rs. 60,000/- in urban areas
These eligibility criteria ensure that a broad spectrum of economically vulnerable families can avail themselves of the benefits provided by BSKY.
Benefits under Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana
Under the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) in Odisha, the health services are categorized as follows:
A) Free Health Services at Government Health Institutions:
– All health services, including free drugs, free diagnostics, free dialysis, free cancer chemotherapy, free OT (Operation Theater), free ICU (Intensive Care Unit), free in-patient admission, etc., are provided free of cost.
– This coverage extends to all government health institutions up to the District Head Quarters Hospital level, benefiting all individuals.
B) Cashless Treatment for Eligible Families:
– Families holding the Biju Krushak Kalyan Yojana (BKKY) card, Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) card, Below Poverty Line (BPL) card, or Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) card are eligible for cashless treatment.
– Additionally, families with an annual income of Rs. 50,000/- or below in rural areas and Rs. 60,000/- or below in urban areas can also avail cashless treatment.
– Cashless treatment is available at all government hospitals and 208 empaneled private hospitals.
These provisions ensure comprehensive health coverage, making essential healthcare accessible to a wide range of beneficiaries.
In which Hospitals can BSKY Beneficiaries Get Free Treatment
The Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) in Odisha is designed to provide comprehensive health coverage through the following key provisions:
1) Universal Health Coverage:
– All individuals can access free health care services in Public Health Care Institutions from Sub-center to District Head Quarters Hospitals.
– This ensures universal health coverage, offering essential healthcare services at various levels of the public health infrastructure.
2) Additional Facility for Eligible Card Holders and Low-Income Individuals:
– Individuals holding specific cards such as BKKY (Biju Krushak Kalyan Yojana), RSBY (Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana), BPL (Below Poverty Line), and AAY (Antyodaya Anna Yojana) can avail an additional facility.
– Low-income certificate holders with an annual income below Rs. 50,000/- in rural areas and below Rs. 60,000/- in urban areas are also eligible.
– This additional facility allows for cashless treatment beyond the District Headquarters Hospital level.
– Beneficiaries can receive cashless treatment at all public health care facilities and 208 empaneled private health care institutions.
These measures ensure that a wide spectrum of the population can access essential health services without financial barriers.
Further, scheme details and list of empaneled hospitals can also be seen on the websites: health.odisha.gov.in and http://nhmodisha.gov.in/
List of All BSKY Empaneled Hospitals
The complete list of empaneled hospitals includes all the government hospitals in the state and more than 800 private hospitals including about 156 in other states. Below is the complete list of BSKY empaneled hospitals.
Under the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) in Odisha, families are enrolled through various categories:
1. Automatic Enrollment:
– Families covered under BKKY Stream I & II
– Families covered under RSBY
– Families with BPL cards
– Families covered under Anatodaya Anna Yojana (AAY)
Enrollment for these families is automatic under the BSKY scheme.
2. Income Certificate for Low-Income Families:
– Families with low income (below Rs. 50,000/- in rural areas and below Rs. 60,000/- in urban areas) can also benefit from BSKY.
– An income certificate is required for such families to access the benefits under BSKY.
This inclusive approach ensures the participation of a diverse range of families, including those with lower incomes, in availing healthcare services through BSKY.
List of Documents Required for BSKY Scheme Registration
For getting Rs. 5 lakh health coverage per annum per family and Rs. 10 lakh health coverage per annum for women members of the family, the existing Biju Krushak Kalyan Yojana (Stream I & II) or Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana or BPL or AAY cards have to be produced at the empaneled hospital.
For low income families who do not have these cards, valid income certificate (annual income below Rs. 50,000/- in rural areas and below Rs. 60,000/- in urban areas) is to be produced at the empaneled hospital, for availing cashless treatment.
Swasthya Mitras to facilitate BSKY Scheme Beneficiaries At Point of Service
In order to enhance the reach and effectiveness of the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) in Odisha, the state government is actively working on enrolling more hospitals under the scheme. Negotiations with various hospitals are being conducted by the State Health Society to include additional healthcare facilities.
To address the challenges faced by patients seeking benefits in private hospitals, the introduction of Swasthya Mitras at help desks in each empaneled hospital has been initiated. Swasthya Mitra Service aims to provide assistance to BSKY beneficiaries during their visits to empanelled hospitals, ensuring smoother access to medical facilities. This decision reflects the government’s commitment to improving the healthcare experience for BSKY cardholders.
Need for Deployment of Swasthya Mitras in Odisha
Approximately 96 lakh families in Odisha have been covered under the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY), entitling them to free medical treatment in both private and government hospitals. The state government has successfully enrolled approximately 208 private hospitals within Odisha and an additional 20 super-specialty hospitals located outside the state. Furthermore, the government has made strategic decisions to enlist more hospitals beyond Odisha’s borders, enhancing healthcare facilities under BSKY for Odia individuals residing in other states.
Earlier initiatives by the state government involved the empanelment of various state and central government hospitals located outside Odisha under BSKY, ensuring free medical treatment for individuals from Odisha. The Health Department is set to implement the proposed Swasthya Mitra Scheme diligently, providing quality services to BSKY beneficiaries with the provision of third-party audits.
The Odisha government has taken a significant step by incorporating over 44 lakh beneficiaries from the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) into the Biju Krushak Kalyan Yojana (BKKY). This decision followed the expiration of the RSBY Scheme initiated by the central government. All beneficiaries have been advised to exchange their old RSBY cards for the new BSKY ones.
On August 15, 2018, the state government of Odisha launched three new schemes, namely, the Universal Health Coverage Scheme, Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana, and Drop Back Assistance. The key features and highlights of the Health Insurance Scheme are outlined below:
1. Universal Health Coverage (UHC): Citizens visiting any government health institution from the district to sub-center level will receive all health services free of cost. This includes the waiver of all user fees at public health facilities up to district headquarters hospitals. The government provides free healthcare services at all public health facilities.
2. Assistance under Biju Swasthya Kalyana Yojana: The government will provide Rs. 5 lakh per family per annum for all secondary and tertiary cashless health care assistance. Women beneficiaries can avail health cover up to Rs. 10 lakh. This scheme will benefit 3.5 crore people (96 lakh families) at any government and private empaneled hospitals.
3. Drop Back Assistance: Under this scheme for pregnant women and sick infants, the government will provide Rs. 500 to all pregnant women and infants who visit all public health facilities. This drop-back assistance aims to help citizens with transportation back home after delivery or treatment in hospitals.
Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana Launch
All beneficiaries currently enrolled under the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY), Biju Krushak Kalyan Yojana (BKKY), as well as other low-income families, are covered under the BSKY.
Official Notification for Odisha BSKY Scheme
All the 3 initiatives were launched by the State govt. from 15 August 2018. Out of the total 3.5 crore beneficiaries, there are total number of 1.5 crore women beneficiaries. The official notification for Odisha BSKY Scheme is shown below:-
Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana Health Insurance Scheme
This health protection cover will be given in all public health facilities and more than 800 empaneled private hospitals.
Odisha BSKY Scheme Packages
Under the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY), a comprehensive total of 4036 healthcare packages have been concluded. The package rates have been carefully rationalized, considering the current cost of treatment. In most cases, the rates surpass the CGHS (Central Government Health Scheme) package rates. This strategic adjustment is geared towards enhancing the acceptance of beneficiaries by empanelled hospitals and encouraging a greater number of hospitals to participate in the empanelment process under BSKY.
Claim Settlement Process of Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana
The settlement of claims under Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) and Biju Krushak Kalyan Yojana (BKKY) is conducted through insurance companies. However, for the Odisha State Treatment Fund (OSTF), the claim settlement process is presently carried out manually. There is a proposal to transition to online settlement of claims under OSTF in the near future, aiming to streamline and expedite the process.
Odisha New Guidelines for Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana
The revised guidelines for the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) include the following key points:
1. The treatment coverage limit for cancer, heart, and kidney diseases has been increased to Rs. 3 lakh from the previous Rs. 1 lakh.
2. Odias residing outside Odisha can now avail benefits from the BSKY scheme anywhere in the country.
3. Odisha citizens seeking benefits outside the state can also do so by empaneling all state and central government hospitals under the BSKY scheme.
4. BSKY covers 4,036 medical packages, while Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) covers only 1,343 packages.
5. Premier hospitals like Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, CMC Vellore, Narayana Hrudalaya are included in the BSKY scheme.
6. Patients referred to hospitals outside the state will receive a conveyance charge of Rs. 2,000, transferred directly to their bank account.
7. BSKY beneficiary families are not required to pay any premium as the state government covers the full premium on their behalf.
8. The BSKY scheme covers the treatment of all pre-existing diseases.
9. Initially, BSKY will include around 208 private hospitals, and package rates have been revised upwards to attract more hospitals to join the scheme.
Odisha BSKY Scheme Helpline Number
Any person can raise any query or complaint regarding Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana or RSBY with toll free number 155369 available from 6 AM to 10 PM.
For complete details on Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana, click the link – https://bsky.odisha.gov.in/application/storage/app/uploads/642680b3ad4ca1680244915.pdf
Here are the latest updates about Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (decisions taken by CM Naveen Patnaik led govt.):-
Odisha Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana Now in All Govt. Medical Colleges
The Odisha government has declared an expansion of free health services under the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY). Now, healthcare services covered by the BSKY scheme will be accessible in all Government Medical College Hospitals. Patients, irrespective of whether they fall under the above poverty line (APL) or below poverty line (BPL) category, will have access to free health services and blood bank facilities. Initially, under the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana in Odisha, free treatment facilities were available from sub-centers at the village level up to the district headquarters hospital level.
Launched on August 15, 2018, the BSKY scheme in Odisha has garnered an overwhelming response with approximately 2.25 crore instances of free healthcare utilization. The scheme provides cashless healthcare facilities to all individuals without the need for income, residence, or any other documents. By extending the coverage to all government medical colleges, the government aims to achieve the vision of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) for the people.
Under the BSKY scheme, the government will offer free services covering all procedures in all government health facilities. This includes in-patient beds, surgeries, operation theater (OT) facilities, and ICU facilities, all without any charges. The state government has allocated additional funds in the state budget to successfully implement this decision of including government medical colleges in the BSKY scheme.
Odisha Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) Assistance for Women Raised to Rs. 10 Lakh
The Odisha government has increased the assistance provided under the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) for women to Rs. 10 lakh, up from the previous Rs. 7 lakh, for secondary and tertiary treatment procedures. The BSKY scheme in Odisha is set to benefit around 3.5 crore people, out of which 1.5 crore are women beneficiaries. This universal health insurance scheme offers cashless treatment for all beneficiaries at both government and private empaneled hospitals.
While the limit for treatment cost is Rs. 5 lakh for each citizen, an additional amount of Rs. 5 lakh will be given to women beneficiaries. Furthermore, the annual income limit for cancer, heart, and kidney treatments has been increased to Rs. 3 lakh from the previous Rs. 1 lakh. Individuals can review the complete details and new guidelines for the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana to access cashless treatment.
Odisha Biju Swasthya Kalyana Yojana List of Beneficiaries
Here is the updated list of beneficiaries under the Odisha Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY):
– The government will provide Rs. 5 lakh per family per annum for all secondary and tertiary cashless health care assistance. Women beneficiaries will receive health cover up to Rs. 10 lakh (previously Rs. 7 lakh).
– This scheme will benefit 3.5 crore people (96 lakh families) at any government and private empaneled hospitals. Approximately 1.5 crore women beneficiaries will benefit from this increased assistance amount of Rs. 10 lakh.
– Eligible beneficiaries include Biju Krushak Kalyan Yojana card holders, Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana card holders, BPL card holders, and Anatodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) card holders. All these beneficiaries’ names are included in the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana list.
– All state citizens, whether above the poverty line (APL) or below the poverty line (BPL), are covered. This cashless healthcare facility is provided to all individuals without any requirement for income, residence, or other documents.
– The annual income limit for cancer, heart, and kidney treatments is now Rs. 3 lakh (previously Rs. 1 lakh).
– A conveyance charge of Rs. 2,000 per patient is applicable in case of referral to a hospital outside Odisha.
– Beneficiary families are not required to pay any premium amount, as the Odisha government will cover the full premium on their behalf.
– Free healthcare services under the BSKY scheme are available in all government medical college hospitals across Odisha.
– Odisha citizens can also avail BSKY scheme benefits outside the state. For this, all state and central government hospitals need to be empaneled under the BSKY scheme.
– Approximately 4,036 medical packages are included under the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana, while PM Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) covers only 1,343 packages.
– Treatment of all pre-existing diseases is covered under the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana.
– Swasthya Mitras are present at each empaneled hospital to assist people in getting treatment.
– This health protection cover is provided by all premier hospitals across India. Odias living outside Odisha can now also avail the benefits of the BSKY scheme anywhere in the country.
– Patients belonging to either APL or BPL categories can also avail free blood bank facilities free of cost. The BSKY scheme promises free services in all government health facilities, including in-patient beds, surgeries, operation theatre (OT) facilities, and ICU facilities without any charge. The scheme also includes free services in government hospitals up to the district level, as well as drop-back assistance for pregnant women and infants.
