Page 89 - DMGT306_MERCANTILE_LAWS_II

Mercantile Laws – II

Notes 5.1.5 Funeral Benefit

This benefit was introduced in 1968. Accordingly an amount not exceeding rupees one thousand
five hundred is payable as funeral benefit to the eldest surviving member of the family of the
deceased insured person. The time limit for claiming the benefit is three months from the death
of the insured person.

5.1.6 Medical Benefit

The kingpin of the scheme is medical benefit, which consists of free medical attendance and
treatment of insured persons and their families. This benefit has been divided into three parts:
(i) Restricted Medical Care: It consists of out-patient medical care at dispensaries or panel
clinics.
(ii) Expanded Medical Care: This consists of consultation with specialists and supply of such
medicines and drugs as may be prescribed by them.

(iii) Full Medical Care: It consists of hospitalization facilities, services of specialists and such
drugs and diet as are required for in-patients.
An insured person and members of his family are entitled to medical care of all the above three
varieties.

5.1.7 Other Benefits

(a) Vocational rehabilitation: In case of disabled insured persons less than 45 years of age
with 40% or more disablement.
(b) Free supply of physical aids and appliances such as crutches, wheelchairs, spectacles and
other such physical aids.

(c) Preventive health care services such as immunization, family welfare services, HIV/AIDS
detection, treatment etc.
(d) Medical bonus 250 is paid to an insured woman or in respect of the wife of an insured
person in case she does not avail hospital facilities of the scheme for child delivery.

!
Caution The ESI Scheme has the largest medical infrastructure under one umbrella, in
India. Medical Care is provided through a huge network of 150 ESI Hospitals, 1372/91 ESI
Dispensaries/ISM Units, 1380 Panel Clinics and 7340 IMOs. The ESI Scheme is also the
largest employer of Medical and Para-Medical personnel of the country.

Example: All ESI Hospitals/Dispensaries provide services related to family welfare.
The Corporation has also taken measures for control of AIDS among the working class of the
country. A full fledged Directorate is working specially for family welfare services and AIDS
Control at New Delhi. This Directorate works in coordination with NACO and also with Ministry
of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India. Along with the Allopathic system of medicine, the
ESI Corporation is also providing medical care through Indian System of Medicine (ISM)
including Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH). About 95 ISM units are
working in ESI Hospitals/Dispensaries throughout the country. For the purpose of providing of
Disablement Benefit (in cash), references are made for measuring incapacity. There is a network
of about 70 Medical Refrees throughout the country for finalizing such incapacity references.

84 LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY