KATHMANDU, June 29: Do you want to join the health insurance scheme run by the Government of Nepal? Now, there's no need to worry. The Health Insurance Board is fulfilling your desire from the comfort of your home. Starting from the new Fiscal Year, i.e., the upcoming month of Shrawan (mid-July to mid-August), the Board will facilitate becoming a new member of the health insurance scheme by filling out an online form. For this new process, the Board has already completed tasks such as developing procedures and creating software.
Those joining in insurance online will be required to provide a national identity card according to the government's new policy. Until this is implemented, membership through the ward office was granted based on citizenship.
Executive Director of the Health Insurance Board, Dr Damodar Basaula, stated that a national identity card will only be required from July 16. "From July 16, enrollment in insurance will only be possible based on the national identity card. Both online and ward office processes will require a national identity card," he said.
After uploading the required documents, members will automatically be enrolled in the insurance upon paying a bill of Rs 3,500 online. Executive Director Basaula informed Republica that besides enrolling new members, renewals will also be done online.
Dr Basaula explained that the digital system provides convenience by reducing delays in accessing services, such as avoiding the time-consuming process of visiting ward offices for enrollment in insurance through the online system. This system also allows service recipients to easily free themselves from hassles such as crowded ward office queues during renewal processes.
He also mentioned that it is highly effective when service seekers can renew their insurance promptly from the comfort of their homes once the insurance period expires. Basaula said that an agreement has been reached with the national identity card office for essential documents required for health insurance.