ICICI Lombard bags contract for Goa's health insurance

ICICI Lombard, a health insurance company, won the bid for the state-financed health insurance scheme in Goa, by surpassing six other bidders, state Health Minister Vishwajit Rane announced today.

Rane said that ICICI Lombard had quoted the lowest premium for the scheme, which will cover more than 3.5 lakh households, with each family comprising 5 or less members. The scheme would come into effect from September this year.

The other six bidders included National Insurance Company, Royal Sundaram and TATA AIG.

Goa Chief Minister Digambar Kamat had launched this scheme during the recent state budget, in which, every household would be eligible for a preliminary and secondary health-care, up to Rs 60,000, annually.

Rane told reporters in Panaji that cashless cards would be provided to the beneficiaries, who can approach any of the listed hospital and get the treatment, including admission absolutely free. Only the people living in Goa since last 5 years would be eligible.

Rane claimed that Goa would become the first state to implement such an insurance scheme for the people. The state has already covered super-speciality treatments under its medi-claim scheme.