The Health Insurance Scheme for Weavers (HIS), also known as the Handloom Weavers Health Insurance Scheme, is a crucial social security initiative aimed at providing healthcare support to the weaving community.
This scheme, introduced during the 12th Five Year Plan, follows the model of the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) established by the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
The objective of the Scheme
The primary goal of the HIS is to ensure that weavers and their families can access high-quality healthcare services across India.
The scheme covers not only the weaver but also includes his spouse and two children. It extends to both pre-existing and new diseases, offering substantial provisions for outpatient department (OPD) services.
Eligibility and Coverage
Eligibility for the Health Insurance Scheme is broad, encompassing all weavers who earn at least 50% of their income from handloom weaving, regardless of gender.
Additionally, ancillary workers involved in tasks like warping, winding, dyeing, printing, and more are also eligible for coverage.
| Name of the Scheme | Health Insurance Scheme for Weavers |
|---|---|
| Website | http://handlooms.nic.in/ |
| Link | Check your Eligibility. |
Implementation and Benefits
The Ministry of Textiles oversees the implementation of the Health Insurance Scheme, ensuring that healthcare services are provided through a competitively selected insurance company.
The annual premium for the scheme is paid based on actual enrolment figures. Weavers’ health insurance claims are processed directly by the insurance company, with no reported irregularities in fund utilization.
Beneficiaries of the scheme receive a package worth Rs 15,000, covering a range of medical needs. The breakdown includes:
- Maternity benefits: Rs 2,500 per child (for the first two children)
- Eye treatment: Rs 75
- Spectacles: Rs 250
- Domiciliary hospitalization: Rs 4,000
- Ayurvedic/Unani/Homeopathic/Siddha treatments: Rs 4,000
- Hospitalization (including pre and post-hospital care): Rs 15,000
- Baby coverage: Rs 500
- OPD and per illness limit: Rs 7,500
HIS Premium:
| Contribution by the Govt. of India | Rs.769.36/ per annum |
| Contribution by the Handloom weaver/ state Govt. | Rs.20.40/ per annum |
| GoG contribution (as per Government’s resolution dt.5/2/2011) | Rs.150.50/ per annum |
| Total premium | Rs.939.76/- per annum |
Implementing Agency: ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Ltd.
Benefits of HIS
| Annual Limit per family (1+3) | 15,000/- |
| Sub Limits per Family: | |
| All pre-existing Diseases + New Diseases | 15,000/- |
| Maternity Benefits (per child for the first two) | 2,500/- |
| Dental treatment | 250/- |
| Eye treatment | 75/- |
| Spectacles | 250/- |
| Domiciliary Hospitalisation | 4,000/- |
| Ayurvedic/Unani/Homeopathic/Siddha | 4,000/- |
| Hospitalisation (including pre and post) | 15,000/- |
| Baby coverage | 500/- |
| OPD | 7,500/- |
| Limit per illness | 7,500/- |
Enrollment Process
To enroll in the Health Insurance Scheme, prospective beneficiaries must complete an enrollment form and submit it, along with their share of the premium, to the State Directorate of Handlooms.
ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Ltd., the implementing agency, provides the enrollment forms. For further details, interested individuals can visit the official website.