Karnataka Govt to Launch Cashless Medical Scheme for Transport Employees

Employees will be issued a health card, which can be presented at participating hospitals to avail of treatment without making any upfront payments.

The Karnataka State Government will introduce a cashless medical scheme for transport department employees in the first week of January 2024.

The scheme will benefit drivers, conductors, and their dependents by providing access to cashless treatment at 240 designated government and private hospitals, including super-specialty facilities across the state.

Under this scheme, employees will be issued a health card, which can be presented at participating hospitals to avail of treatment without making any upfront payments.

Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy said, “This will relieve employees of the financial burden of paying for treatment and waiting for reimbursement.”

The scheme will initially be implemented for employees of the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and later extended to other divisions, including BMTC, KKRTC, and NWKRTC.

A nominal deduction will be made from employees’ salaries to support the initiative, and KSRTC has earmarked INR 20 Cr for the scheme.

Enhanced Group Insurance for BMTC Employees

To further improve financial security for employees' families, the government has revised compensation under the Group Insurance Scheme for Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) employees.

Effective February 19, 2024, the compensation for employees who lose their lives due to illness or other reasons will increase from INR 3 lakh to INR 10 lakh.

On Tuesday, INR 1.70 Cr was disbursed as compensation under this scheme, underscoring the government’s commitment to supporting transport employees and their families.

In another development, in September last year, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah inaugurated 65 advanced ambulances on September 23 to strengthen emergency response for accident victims statewide.

Equipped with ventilators, these ambulances will be deployed by the Health and Family Welfare Department. Part of the Chief Minister’s Trauma Care Services initiative, the program aims to enhance trauma care and emergency medical services.

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