Himachal govt’s free HIMCARE treatment card now covers top cancer institute, another renowned hospital in Chandigarh

TNR News Network
Shimla:
The Himachal Pradesh government has expanded its flagship HIMCARE health scheme by including two leading hospitals — Tata Memorial Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, New Chandigarh, and the Government Medical College & Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, Chandigarh.

This means HIMCARE cardholders will now receive free treatment at these renowned institutes, along with PGI-Chandigarh, which was already part of the scheme.

The HIMCARE is a state-run health insurance scheme offering free cashless medical care in both government and empaneled private hospitals. Targeted at economically weaker families, informal sector workers and those excluded from central schemes, HIMCARE continues to expand its reach and services with these latest additions.

Expanded access to specialised care

With the inclusion of Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital, one of the country’s premier cancer treatment centres, and GMCH-Chandigarh, known for its multi-specialty care, beneficiaries under HIMCARE can now access a wider range of specialised treatment without financial burden.

These additions are expected to ease patient load in Himachal’s government hospitals and improve outcomes for serious illnesses like cancer.

Free dialysis at all registered private hospitals

In another major move, the government has announced that dialysis services will now be provided free of cost under HIMCARE at all empaneled private hospitals across the state. This will particularly benefit kidney patients, who often require ongoing treatment at considerable expense.

To further ease access, the government has opened the HIMCARE portal for new registrations throughout July, allowing residents to apply anytime during the month. Renewal rules have also been simplified — expired cards can now be renewed quarterly in March, June, September and December, offering greater flexibility to beneficiaries.

As of now, the scheme has enrolled over 5.26 lakh families, covering up to five members per household. It offers cashless treatment for 3,227 medical conditions, with an annual coverage of Rs 5 lakh per family. Initially launched in January 2019, HIMCARE was designed to support families not covered under the Ayushman Bharat scheme.