Jharkhand Government Introduces Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme for Advocates

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By Abhishek Jat, Advocate

The legal fraternity in Jharkhand has witnessed a significant development with the recent launch of a dedicated health insurance scheme for advocates and their families. This initiative, spearheaded by the state government, aims to provide robust financial protection and accessible healthcare to members of the legal profession, acknowledging their vital role in the justice delivery system.

Overview of the Scheme

The health insurance scheme is tailored for advocates registered under the Jharkhand Advocates' Welfare Fund Trustee Committee. It extends coverage to approximately 27,000 advocates and their dependents, ensuring that legal professionals and their families have access to quality healthcare without the burden of prohibitive costs.

Key Provisions

  • Coverage Amount: The scheme offers cashless medical treatment coverage up to ₹5 lakh for general illnesses and up to ₹10 lakh for critical medical conditions, per family, on a floater basis.
  • Beneficiary Criteria: Eligible dependents include spouses, children (with age and employment status criteria), minor siblings, unmarried sisters, and dependent parents. Special provisions exist for disabled dependents and female advocates, ensuring inclusivity.
  • Premium Payment: The premium for the current policy period is set at ₹5,000 per family unit, with a scheduled increase to ₹6,000 for the next cycle. Premiums are collected collectively through the Advocates Medical Insurance Committee.
  • Cashless Facility: The scheme facilitates cashless treatment at a wide network of hospitals, both within and outside Jharkhand, ensuring seamless access to healthcare services.
  • Administrative Mechanism: The implementation is managed through a partnership with a leading health insurance provider, which issues free PVC health cards to beneficiaries and maintains a significant corporate buffer to address high-value claims.
  • Extended Benefits: The scheme covers pre-hospitalization expenses for 15 days and post-hospitalization expenses for 30 days, ensuring comprehensive financial support throughout the treatment process.
  • Coexistence with Other Insurance: Beneficiaries retaining other private or government health insurance policies remain eligible for this scheme, allowing for layered protection.

Policy Significance

This health insurance initiative marks a progressive step in advocate welfare, recognizing the unique occupational risks and uncertainties faced by legal professionals. By institutionalizing healthcare support, the state not only safeguards the well-being of advocates but also enhances their capacity to serve society effectively.

Comparative Legal Welfare Measures

The move aligns with broader trends in legal welfare across India, where various states have introduced schemes to support advocates, particularly those from underrepresented or economically weaker sections. Such measures, including grants and insurance, are increasingly seen as essential to nurturing a resilient and inclusive legal community.

Judicial and Administrative Oversight

The scheme is structured with clear standard operating procedures, premium timelines, and transparent beneficiary criteria, ensuring accountability and ease of access. The involvement of a dedicated insurance committee and the adoption of a bulk payment system further streamline operations and minimize administrative hurdles.

Conclusion

The Jharkhand Advocates Health Insurance Scheme stands as a model of proactive governance and professional welfare. By addressing the healthcare needs of advocates and their families, the state government demonstrates its commitment to the legal fraternity and sets a precedent for similar initiatives nationwide. This scheme is poised to bring long-term benefits, fostering a sense of security and dignity among legal professionals in Jharkhand.

Location: Jharkhand, India

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