Yeshasvini Health Insurance Scheme or Yeshasvini Co-operative Farmers Health Care Scheme was launched by the Karnataka State Government on 14 November 2002 by S.M. Krishna, the former Chief Minister of Karnataka. The main aim of the scheme is to offer health insurance coverage to ryots (tenant farmers or peasants), who are members of co-operative societies in Karnataka.

What is the Yeshasvini Health Insurance Scheme?

Yeshasvini Health Insurance Scheme provides cost-effective medical facilities to the farmers in Karnataka, who are members of co-operative societies registered with the Department of Co-operatives. The health insurance scheme is designed to offer coverage to informal workers in the lower-middle-class income and middle-income groups. It offers wide coverage for more than 800 procedures (Orthopaedic, Angioplasty, Neurology, etc) to the insured.

The cooperative societies help the farmers and peasants to get enrolled under this scheme wherein the beneficiaries can avail of health insurance coverage by availing treatment at the listed network hospitals. Under the plan, not only the primary beneficiary but his/her family members can also be included.

Listed below are some features and benefits of the Yeshasvini Health Insurance scheme:

• The family of the main member of the rural cooperative society can avail of the policy benefits
• The beneficiaries are required to contribute a fixed amount every year.
• The scheme covers 803 surgical procedures at pre-negotiated rates at the network hospitals, wherein the beneficiaries can avail of cashless treatment using the Yeshasvini Card.

Eligibility Criteria for Yeshasvini Health Insurance Scheme

Given below are the eligibility criteria for the Yeshasvini Health Insurance Scheme:

• One must be aged less than 75 years
• One can become a member of the co-operative society six months prior to the commencement of the scheme. These include self-help groups associated with cooperative societies, members of the rural co-operative society, weavers cooperative societies, beedi workers, and fishermen cooperative societies.
• Those who do not belong to rural areas of cities and corporations in the state are eligible for the policy

Note that the scheme period is only from August 1st to July 31st of the following year. Also, the family members can avail benefits of the Yeshasvini card, no matter if they are members of a rural cooperative society or not. The guidelines to enroll and renew the Yeshasvini Health Insurance Policy are issued by the Department of Cooperation, Government of Karnataka.

Inclusions Under Yeshasvini Health Insurance Scheme

Yeshasvini Health Insurance Scheme covers you for 803 surgical procedures. Some of them are listed below:

• Surgical oncology, vascular surgery, and gastroenterology
• Cardiac, orthopedic, general, and pediatric surgery
• Drowning, dog bite, snake bite, etc.
• Ophthalmology, neurological surgery, and genito-urinary
• Obstetrics, gynecology, and neonatal intensive care
• Accidents when operating agricultural implements like electrical shocks

Exclusions Under the Yeshasvini Health Insurance Scheme

Yeshasvini Health Insurance Scheme does not cover you for the expenses incurred on the following:

• Follow-up treatments, diagnostic investigations, and medico-legal cases
• Dental surgery and deviated nasal septum
• Implants, burns, skin grafting, prosthesis, and cosmetic surgery
• Road traffic accidents
• Dialysis
• Kidney and heart transplant, joint replacement surgery

Networks Hospitals Under Yeshasvini Health Insurance Scheme

A network hospital is a hospital that has a tie-up with the health insurance company and offers cashless treatment to the insured. Under the Yeshasvini Health Insurance Scheme, there are 572 network hospitals across various districts of Karnataka. Bangalore has the highest number of hospitals i.e. 61, followed by Belgaum at 49, Bagalkot at 44, Tumkur at 27, Dakshina Kannada at 26, and Mandya at 25.

Yeshasvini Card Facility

Nearly 30 lakh beneficiaries in Karnataka enjoy the benefits under the Yeshasvini Health Insurance Scheme using the Yeshasvini card facility. Those who are members of a cooperative society for at least 3 months can enroll in the scheme. The registration of new members or renewal of existing policies will be done at all co-operative societies from May to June. People can enroll themselves and apply for a Yeshasvini card online.