Patients in Chennai are facing significant inconvenience as they are forced to wait in long queues to obtain enrolment forms for the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme (CMCHIS). Despite the forms being available online, patients are required to visit enrolment centers located in various areas of the city, including Saidapet, Kilpauk, Thousand Lights, and the collectorate.
The situation is particularly challenging for individuals who are already dealing with emergencies, such as road accident victims or attenders of patients admitted to critical wards like emergency, cardiology, and pediatrics. To obtain their CMCHIS cards, patients must collect the applications from the centers, visit the Village Administrative Office (VAO) to obtain an income certificate, and then return to the enrolment centers to submit the necessary documents, take a photo, and provide biometric details.
The inconvenience doesn’t stop there. People residing in Tambaram, Pallavaram, and Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) face additional hurdles as they are required to travel long distances, approximately 40-50 km, to the Chengalpet collectorate to obtain their insurance cards. According to official data, around 30,000 new members enroll in the CMCHIS every month across the state, with more than 1.4 crore people already enrolled.
Satish Galley, a resident-activist from Semmachery, shared that certain private empanelled hospitals demand upfront payment from patients, which can be reimbursed once they receive their CMCHIS cards. However, in emergency cases, enrolment centers generate a URN number that allows immediate treatment to commence.
Expressing their concerns, patients like Shivakumar at Saidapet stressed that patients and attenders are already under stress, and the additional burden of traveling and waiting for enrolment forms is overwhelming. They suggested that government e-seva centers should assist the public in such cases to reduce crowds and streamline the process. Furthermore, technical glitches at the centers often compel patients to return on Saturdays to obtain new cards.
Health Minister Ma Subramanian acknowledged the issues faced by patients and assured that all centers would be instructed to accept downloaded forms. He also mentioned that efforts would be made to address delays, glitches, and linking problems with old cards on an ongoing basis.
It is essential to streamline the process of obtaining CMCHIS cards to ensure that patients can access the medical treatment they require without unnecessary delays and inconvenience. The authorities should consider implementing measures to simplify the enrolment procedure and provide support to patients during this critical time.
