Punjab to allow civil surgeons to approve medical reimbursement bills upto Rs 1 lakh

Chandigarh

In a big relief to government employees, the Punjab government will soon allow civil surgeons to approve medical reimbursement bills upto Rs 1 lakh to benefit.

Informing about this, Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that the department has decided to double the limit for the post-facto approval and verifying medical bills through civil surgeons.

The decision will ensure quick settlement of medical bills of the employees of the Punjab government for treatment availed at private hospitals in Chandigarh and Punjab.

“The Finance department has given approval to the Health and Family Welfare department’s proposal to resolve issues by the employees in settlement of their medical reimbursement bills.

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It will also further strengthen the decentralization by shortening the process of medical bills reimbursement and settlement of medical claims,” he added.

Cheema said in 2010, civil surgeons were authorised to approve and verify medical bills of private hospitals up to Rs 25,000. But since then no one bothered to safeguard the employees’ interest by increasing this limit to meet the rise in treatment costs.

After Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government came to power, this limit was doubled to Rs 50000 in May 2022 after a gap of 12 years. The processing of medical bills above this limit was being done by the Director, Health and Family Welfare.

However, it came to light that employees were facing problems in getting approval and verification of medical bills of more than Rs 50,000.

This was also increasing pendency at the office of Health and Family Welfare director but after this decision, the entire process will get accelerated.

Cheema reiterated Mann led AAP government’s commitment to ensure employees’ welfare and said that every possible effort is made to raise their standard of living and provide necessary facilities.

He appealed to the government work with honesty, diligence and kindness while making contribution in making the state a ‘Rangla Punjab’ again.