ESIC reaches out to its beneficiaries to provide medical care and relief during COVID 19 pandemic
The Insured Persons (IP), under the ESI Act can seek free medical care in its COVID 19 dedicated hospitals, reimbursement of expenditure for treatment taken in any private institution, sickness benefit for the period of abstention from work at 70% of average daily wages for 91 days, remedial reliefs if they become unemployed in this pandemic and cash relief in the event of unfortunate demise.
The extract of the benefits:
Medical Benefit
The Insured Person and/or his family members in case of being infected with COVID 19 can avail free of cost medical care in any of the ESIC/ESIS Hospital which has been declared as COVID 19 dedicated hospital. Presently 21 ESIC hospitals run directly by ESIC with 3676 COVID isolation beds, 229 ICU beds and 163 ventilator beds and 26 ESI Scheme Hospitals run by State Govts. Having 2023 beds are functioning as COVID 19 dedicated hospitals.
In addition to above, instructions have been issued to each of the ESIC hospital to function with a minimum of 20% of its bed capacity as dedicated Covid beds for ESI IPs, beneficiaries, staff and pensioners.
Plasma therapy which has shown promising results to save the lives of serious COVID 19 patients, is also available in ESIC Medical College & Hospital, Faridabad (Haryana) and ESIC Medical College & Hospital, Sanath Nagar (Telangana).
ESI Beneficiaries may also seek Emergency/non-Emergency medical treatment from tie-up hospital directly without referral letter, in accordance with his/her entitlement.
In case the IP or family member being infected with COVID 19 takes treatment in any private institution, the reimbursement of expenditure may be claimed.
Cash Benefits
In case the Insured Person abstains from his work being infected with COVID 19, he can claim Sickness benefit for his period of abstention as per his entitlement. Sickness benefit is paid @ 70% of average daily wages for 91 days.
In case any Insured Person becomes unemployed, he may avail relief under Atal Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana (ABVKY) @ 50% of average pay day earning for a maximum of 90 days. For availing this relief, the IP can submit his claim online at ESIC portal.
In case any Insured Person becomes unemployed due to retrenchment or closure of factory/establishment as per the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, he may claim unemployment allowance for a period of 02 years subject to qualifying conditions under Rajiv Gandhi Shramik Kalyan Yojana (RGSKY).
In the event of unfortunate demise of any Insured Person, funeral expenses of Rs.15,000/- are paid to the eldest surviving member of his family.