The Uttarakhand government is facing mounting financial pressure in providing cashless medical treatment to its employees under the Golden Card scheme. While employees contribute ₹120 crore annually, treatment expenses at hospitals have surged to nearly ₹300 crore, creating a significant financial imbalance.
Currently, 1.28 lakh serving employees and 91,000 pensioners are enrolled in the scheme. However, the contribution pool is proving insufficient. Sources reveal that between 2020–21 and March 2025, claims worth approximately ₹700 crore have been made, against a total contribution of ₹510 crore. This payment shortfall has led to delays, prompting several private hospitals to stop offering cashless treatment—causing frustration among the beneficiaries.
In response, the government is exploring alternative funding models and cost-control mechanisms to sustain the scheme. Efforts are also underway to identify and rectify the weak points within the system to ensure smoother operation and reliable healthcare access for employees.
