26.MEDICAL BUSINESS

Medical refers to the health care facilities provided by a business enterprise to its employees in case of their sickness, accident or diseases. The health care facilities may include a proper arrangement for the treatment of the employees and their dependents,on free or concessional rates.The organisations may provide for regular medical check-ups of its employees, atleast once a year. The employees may also be provided with, medical allowances, reimbursement of medical expenses, medical leave, etc.The Centre organises facilities for health care of its employees and pensioners living in the capital and other major cities through Central Government Health Scheme and public Hospitals. The medical facilities under the scheme are available to all the employees paid from the civil estimates and their family members residing in the area covered by the scheme. An employee can opt out of the scheme and avail of the medical facilities provided by the employer of his spouse. If an employee or a member of his family covered under the Scheme falls ill at a place not covered under CGHS, the treatment shall be admissible under Central Services (Medical Attendance) Rules, 1944.


These Rules are applicable to all government servants other than (i) those in Railway Service, and (ii) those of non-gazetted rank stationed in or passing through Kolkata, whose conditions of service are prescribed by rules made or deemed to have been made by the Central Government, when they are on duty, leave or foreign service in India or when under suspension.Medical facilities of a company also include the maternity benefits provided to the women employees. Accordingly, the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 (M.B. Act) was enacted to provide medical facilities to pregnant women employees. The Act aims to achieve uniformity in matters relating to maternity protection and applies to all factories,mines and plantations,except to those on whom the Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948 applies. The Act provides that pregnant women workers should not be dismissed and discharged during the period of maternity leave.

It contains provisions for payment of cash maternity benefit to the women employees for certain periods before and after child birth, 12 weeks maternity leave; medical bonus and certain other benefits. The Act is administered by both the Central and State Governments.Since, access to good medical care is usually quite expensive and involves huge costs, employers may also provide medical insurance to their employees. Many insurance companies have also designed certain policies which provide medical insurance cover to the employees.Workmen's Compensation Insurance by United India Insurance Company Limited. :- Under it an employer is required to pay compensation to his workers who receive injuries or contract occupational diseases during the course of their work. Such compensation is payable under the Workmen's Compensation Act.

An employer may obtain an insurance policy to cover such liability. The premiums are payable usually on the basis of wages. It is also known as Employers Liability Insurance.Similarly, Employers' Liability Policy is provided by the New India Assurance Company Limited . Their policy covers statutory liability of an employer for the death of or bodily injuries or occupational diseases sustained by the workmen arising out of and in course of employment.A safe work environment and a healthy workforce play a very important role in building the foundation of a successful business organisation.