Chennai, Jan 11 (IANS) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa Wednesday rolled out a revamped comprehensive health insurance scheme for the poor to benefit 1.34 crore families at an annual cost of Rs.750 crore.

Christened Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme, the chief minister inaugurated it by handing over a cheque of Rs.183.84 crore towards quarterly premium to United India Insurance Co Ltd.

Jayalalithaa also issued identity cards for seven beneficiaries and treatment approval letters to seven others.

According to an official statement, the new scheme would cover 1,016 treatment procedures including neo-natal treatments and 113 continuous treatment procedures and 23 diagnostic methods.

The insurance plan would cover expenses related to diagnostic tests.

As to the insurance coverage, each beneficiary family will be covered for Rs.100,000 a year for four years. For some treatment procedures the coverage will be for Rs.150,000.

Not less than 250 hospitals across the state will be recognised under the scheme to treat the patients. The recognised hospitals will have to hold regular health camps.

The new scheme replaces the Kalaignar Health Insurance Scheme launched by the erstwhile DMK government.