The Andaman & Nicobar Islands Scheme for Health Insurance (ANISHI) was launched by the Health Department of the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands on 26.01.2015. This scheme aims to provide cashless medical treatment up to ₹5.00 Lakhs per patient per illness to economically disadvantaged residents of the islands, including those who belong to the Below Poverty Level (BPL) category, Government pensioners, and permanent residents with a family income below ₹3.00 Lakhs.
Benefits
- Cashless medical treatment up to ₹5 Lakhs per illness, covering both indoor and outdoor treatments.
- Free travel expenses for patients with one attendant, reimbursed at bunk class fare.
- For critically ill patients, if referred to travel by flight, the air ticket reimbursement for the patient and one attendant is available.
- Emergency treatment during a personal visit to the mainland is covered under the scheme, but travel expenses will not be reimbursed in such cases.
Eligibility:
The following categories of people are eligible:
- BPL (Below Poverty Level) patients settled in Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
- Government pensioners of Andaman & Nicobar Administration who have settled in the Islands after retirement, along with their dependent family members.
- Permanent residents of Andaman & Nicobar Islands with a family annual income below ₹3.00 Lakhs.
Application Process
Offline Process:
- Empanelled Hospitals: The eligible person must complete the formalities at the Nodal Cell (ANISHI) at the DHS office before availing the cashless benefit.
- The patient is referred by a specialist from GB Pant Hospital in Port Blair. After referral, the patient should approach the Nodal Cell for cashless treatment.
- The State Nodal Cell processes the application within 2 days, and upon approval, the patient can receive cashless treatment at the empanelled hospital.
- In cases where the patient is admitted to a non-empanelled hospital, the patient must be transferred to the nearest empanelled hospital to avail of the benefits.
Documents Required:
- For BPL Patients:
- Islander Card/Voter ID Card
- BPL Ration Card
- For Pensioners:
- Pension Payment Order
- Ration Card
- Islander Card/Voter ID Card
- For Permanent Resident Category Patients:
- Islander Card/Voter ID Card
- Ration Card
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is ANISHI?
ANISHI is a health insurance scheme providing cashless medical treatment for eligible residents of Andaman & Nicobar Islands. - Who can avail benefits under the scheme?
Residents of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, who are either BPL, Government pensioners, or permanent residents with an income below ₹3 Lakhs per year, are eligible. - What are the benefits offered by the scheme?
Cashless medical treatment up to ₹5 Lakhs per illness, reimbursement for travel expenses for the patient and one attendant, and free treatment in empanelled hospitals. - How does the reimbursement process work for travel expenses?
Reimbursement is provided for travel expenses of the patient and one attendant, if the patient needs to travel for treatment, subject to specific conditions. - Can patients avail treatment outside of Andaman & Nicobar Islands under the scheme?
Yes, the scheme covers emergency treatment in mainland hospitals, but travel expenses are not reimbursed. - What are the steps involved in the application process for ANISHI?
Complete codal formalities at the Nodal Cell at DHS office, get referred by a specialist, and approach the Nodal Cell for cashless treatment. - Are there any exceptions to the reimbursement policy for hospital expenses?
If the patient gets admitted to a non-empanelled hospital, reimbursement will be extended only if the patient is transferred to an empanelled hospital. - Can beneficiaries choose any hospital for treatment under the scheme?
No, the treatment must be availed at empanelled hospitals. For emergencies, a non-empanelled hospital is permissible but only if the patient is shifted to an empanelled hospital. - How long does it take for the application to be processed under the scheme?
Applications are processed within 2 days by the State Nodal Cell after referral. - What if a beneficiary falls sick during a personal visit to the mainland?
The beneficiary can avail of emergency treatment, but travel expenses will not be reimbursed.
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