The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) administers an ESI scheme designed for employees with lower income levels. As part of this initiative, the ESIC provides an ESI card to eligible employees. This card allows employees of private sector companies to access free medical treatment at ESI dispensaries and hospitals. The ESIC operates over 150 hospitals nationwide, offering care for a wide range of health issues, from minor to severe.
Eligibility for the ESI benefits extends to employees earning a monthly income of Rs 21,000 or less, while the minimum wage threshold for individuals with physical disabilities is set at Rs 25,000 per month. Both employees and employers contribute to the ESI fund, with employees contributing 1.75% of their salary and employers contributing 4.75%.
Benefits of the ESI Scheme
The ESI scheme not only covers the insured individuals but also provides free medical treatment for their dependent family members. Notably, there is no cap on the expenses incurred for the treatment of the insured person and their family under this scheme.
Retired employees, permanently disabled insured individuals, and their spouses can avail themselves of medical care for an annual premium of just Rs 120. Additionally, the scheme allows for 91 days of paid leave for the insured during periods of illness.
Maternity Leave Benefits
Women are entitled to maternity leave benefits under the ESI scheme. They receive 100% of their average wages for up to 26 weeks during maternity leave and up to six weeks in the event of an abortion. Furthermore, if an insured individual passes away while employed, the ESIC covers funeral expenses up to a maximum of Rs 10,000 and provides a monthly pension to the dependents in a specified proportion.
The ESI scheme also includes provisions for a monthly pension to the insured individual until they fully recover in cases of temporary disability, and for life in cases of permanent disability.
