Manipal Arogya Card Scheme 2013 launched

By Bernard J. D’Costa
Bellevision Media Network

Manipal, 14 April 2013: The Manipal Arogya Card Scheme 2013 was launched on Saturday by Dr H S Ballal, Pro Chancellor, Manipal University, Manipal by issuing the first card. Manipal University instituted the Arogya Card scheme, one of the biggest non-governmental, non-insurance healthcare scheme in India way back in 2001 as part of its social initiative to provide quality healthcare at affordable cost to a large section of the society. Manipal Arogya Card enables a member to avail large benefits by way of discounts on inpatient and outpatient treatment in various networked hospitals under Manipal Health Enterprises in the Coastal belt.

 
Speaking on the occasion, Pro Chancellor of Manipal University, Dr H S Ballal said: “by paying a small sum as membership fee anybody can obtain membership and he/she will receive his investment back as concessions from just two or three usages of the card. The membership opened today and will close on June 30, 2013. Dr Ballal said that consultations with any specialist/super specialist doctor any number of times during the year paying only 50 per cent of consultation fee is the most attractive among the outpatient benefits of the card. A 20 per cent discount on diagnostics and laboratory investigations give considerable relief to the patient. “There will also be up to 10 per cent rebate on medicines purchased from hospital pharmacy with prescriptions. A flat 25 per cent concession on the inpatient bill (excluding consumables) for any number of times during the year and up to 10 per cent concession on medicines purchased from pharmacy,” he said.

 

 
 
Manipal University Instituted Dr T M A Pai Arogya Sevak award for the volunteers in healthcare scenario who work for the benefit of the community. Dr K Ramnarayan, Vice Chancellor awarded the Dr T M A Pai Arogya Sevak award to the nominees for 2013.  Mr Puttappa from Honnali in Davangere and Dr Kottresh from Kotturu in Bellary.

 
Dr G K Prabhu, Registrar, Manipal University released the application form for the enrolment to the scheme. Dr G Pradeep Kumar, Dean KMC Manipal honored the people who worked for enrolment under the scheme in Manipal Area. Dr M Venkatraya Prabhu, Dean KMC Mangalore honored the people who worked for enrolment under the scheme in Mangalore Area. Dr (Col) M Dayananda COO & MS, Kasturba Hospital, Manipal welcomed the gathering and Dr Madhusudana Upadya, Medical Superintendent, KMC Hospital Attavar proposed the vote of thanks. Mr Pramod Alagharu, COO, KMC Hospitals, Mangalore, Dr Parvati Bhat,  Medical Superintendent, Dr T M A Pai Hospital, Udupi and Dr Avinash Shetty, Dr T M A Pai Hospital, Karkala were present.

 
Manipal Arogya Card is a unique scheme in which the discounts on treatment can be availed on pre-existing diseases and congenital anomalies as well. There is no age limit to avail of the benefits of the care card priced at just Rs 250 for an individual and Rs 500 for a family card. Family includes the card holder, spouse and any number of children below 21 years. An add-on card is also available for the parents of primary card holders under the family card scheme for Rs 100 per parent. For renewal card, 10 per cent discount on membership fee is offered. Applications for the scheme are available at all networked hospitals under Manipal Health Enterprises and Syndicate Bank branches in Karnataka and in North Kerala. Helpline at Manipal 0820-2571343 or 99808 54700 and at Mangalore 0824 2444 590 or 99723 88991 has been set-up to provide more information about the Scheme.