Sikkim is looking to Nagaland’s Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme (CMHIS) as a possible model for its own health insurance program, with a State delegation visiting Nagaland to study how the scheme is being implemented.
The delegation met Nagaland Development Commissioner Y Kikheto Sema in Kohima on Monday as part of a two-day visit during which it will hold discussions with the Health and Planning departments and visit selected institutions.
Sikkim Chief Minister’s Secretary Karma N Bhutia said the State intended to adopt the Nagaland model and sought technical guidance and continued cooperation from the Nagaland Government.
He said Sikkim became interested in CMHIS after an interaction with Sema at a NITI Aayog meeting on June 12, following which the Sikkim leadership directed officials to visit Nagaland and study the scheme.
According to Sema, around 64,000 beneficiaries are registered under CMHIS, with approximately Rs 252 crore paid towards treatment over nearly four years. More than 70 hospitals across the country are empanelled under the scheme, including hospitals in Delhi, Kolkata and Guwahati that are frequently accessed by patients from Nagaland.
Sema said the scheme had faced problems in its initial stages, including limited hospital empanelment and inadequate reimbursement rates. The State subsequently revised the arrangements, increased reimbursement rates and expanded the hospital network, he said.
CMHIS has also brought a significant number of Nagaland residents who are not covered under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) under health insurance coverage, Sema said.
The Sikkim delegation comprises Bhutia, Depen Sharma, Special Secretary in the Chief Minister’s Office; Dr Subash Tamang, Chief Medical Officer to the Chief Minister; and Tenzing Chopel Bhutia, Staff Officer to the Chief Medical Officer. (With DIPR inputs)