Goa Deen Dayal Swasthya Seva Yojana: Benefits, Coverage & Apply

Deen Dayal Swasthya Seva Yojana (DDSSY) is a universal health insurance scheme of the Government of Goa, providing cashless medical coverage to every resident of Goa who has resided in the state for 5 or more years. Families of 3 or fewer members receive up to Rs. 2.5 lakh per year and families of 4 or more members receive up to Rs. 4 lakh per year across 447 medical procedures at empanelled hospitals. Enrol or renew online at goaonline.gov.in.

Introduction of Goa Deen Dayal Swasthya Seva Yojana: A Brief Insight

A single hospitalisation for a major surgery can wipe out years of savings for a middle-income family. Most health insurance schemes in India target only the poorest households, leaving a large section of working families without any coverage. Goa took a different approach entirely. The Government of Goa launched Deen Dayal Swasthya Seva Yojana to cover every resident of the state regardless of income, making Goa the first state in India to offer a universal health insurance scheme to its entire resident population.

The Directorate of Health Services, Government of Goa, implements the scheme through Goa Electronics Limited (GEL), a subsidiary of EDC Ltd., a Government of Goa undertaking. Any person residing in Goa for 5 years or more can enrol. A family of 3 or fewer members receives cashless coverage of up to Rs. 2.5 lakh per year and a family of 4 or more members receives up to Rs. 4 lakh per year at 44 private hospitals and 11 Government hospitals empanelled in Goa, plus 18 hospitals outside Goa.

The scheme covers 447 medical procedures, including hospitalisation, surgeries, chronic disease medication up to Rs. 15,000 per year for Diabetes and Hypertension, debilitating disorders like Epilepsy and Multiple Sclerosis, and high-end diagnostics on Government referral. The annual registration and renewal fee is Rs. 200 for families of 3 or fewer and Rs. 300 for families of 4 or more, with 50% concession for SC, ST, OBC Non-Creamy Layer, and Differently Abled persons. Government employees covered under CSMA or Central Government medical reimbursement schemes are not eligible.

The policy period runs from 1 April to 31 March annually. New enrollment and renewal are both available online at goaonline.gov.in or through the nearest DDSSY Kendra. Card status can be checked at goaonline.gov.in/DDSSYCardStatus. More than 10 lakh residents are covered, 84,000-plus procedures have been conducted, and 2.9 lakh-plus DDSSY cards have been issued across Goa.

Goa residents who also want to check their eligibility under the Central Government health scheme can explore the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), which provides Rs. 5 lakh annual cashless health coverage to families in the bottom 40% of India’s population at over 31,000 empanelled hospitals across India. Senior citizens aged 70 years and above in Goa can additionally check their eligibility under the Ayushman Bharat Vay Vandana Card Scheme, which provides an additional Rs. 5 lakh health coverage to every Indian senior citizen aged 70 and above, regardless of income.

Goa residents, families, senior citizens, and anyone looking for more health insurance schemes, medical assistance programmes, and welfare initiatives in Goa can also explore other available programmes under our Goa Government Schemes List section.

Benefits Provided to Eligible Beneficiaries

Deen Dayal Swasthya Seva Yojana provides cashless health insurance coverage to eligible Goa residents through a network of empanelled government and private hospitals across Goa and outside the state.

Health Insurance Coverage

• Family of 3 or fewer members receives cashless coverage of up to Rs. 2.5 lakh per year
• Family of 4 or more members receives cashless coverage of up to Rs. 4 lakh per year
• Under no circumstances shall the total annual claim exceed Rs. 4 lakh per family
• Insurance benefits can be availed of individually or collectively by all family members within the annual limit
• An individual can additionally opt for higher coverage from the insurance company by paying a higher premium without affecting existing Government DDSSY coverage

Medical Procedures Covered

• 447 medical procedures are covered under the scheme, covering hospitalisation, surgeries, and high out-of-pocket expense treatments
• Procedures are graded into A, B, and C categories based on hospital facilities to account for different levels of care
• Rates are benchmarked to the highest possible rates from CGHS, other State schemes, and National Excellence Institutes

Additional Procedures Covered

• Medication for chronic lifestyle diseases, including Diabetes and Hypertension – amount capped at Rs. 15,000 per year
• Medication for debilitating disorders, including Epilepsy, Multiple Sclerosis, and Cerebral Palsy
• Mental Health and Ayurveda hospitalisation based on NIMHANS or AYUSH advice, restricted to Government hospitals and institutions only
• High-end diagnostics are available only on referral from Government hospitals or doctors at rates fixed by the Goa Medical College (GMC)

Hospital Network

• 44 private hospitals in Goa are empanelled under the scheme
• 11 Government hospitals in Goa are empanelled under the scheme
• 18 hospitals outside Goa are empanelled for cases requiring treatment not available within the state
• A complete and updated list of empanelled hospitals is available on the official Goa Online portal

Scheme Statistics

• More than 10 lakh residents are covered under the scheme
• More than 84,000 procedures were conducted under the scheme
• More than 2.9 lakh DDSSY cards issued across Goa

Registration Fee Structure

• Family of 3 or fewer members: Rs. 200 per year
• Family of 4 or more members: Rs. 300 per year
• 50% concession on registration fee for SC, ST, OBC (Non-Creamy Layer), and Differently Abled eligible persons, subject to submission of supporting documents
• The same fee applies for both new enrollment and annual renewal

Eligibility Conditions Required to be Fulfilled

The following eligibility conditions apply to residents seeking health insurance coverage under Deen Dayal Swasthya Seva Yojana as per the official scheme guidelines of the Directorate of Health Services, Government of Goa.

Basic Eligibility

• Applicant must be a resident of Goa for 5 years or more
• Residency must be supported by a valid residence proof document issued a minimum of 5 years ago in Goa with the issue date clearly visible
• Applicant must not be a Central or State Government employee covered under the Government medical reimbursement scheme

Family Definition Under DDSSY

• Family of the eligible person includes spouse, unmarried children, and dependent parents
• In case the eligible person is female, dependent in-laws are also included in the family unit
• The family unit cannot be split; all eligible members must be enrolled under a single DDSSY card

Coverage Based on Family Size

• Family of 3 or fewer members receives health coverage of up to Rs. 2.5 lakh per year
• Family of 4 or more members receives health coverage of up to Rs. 4 lakh per year
• Insurance benefits can be availed of individually or collectively by family members within the annual coverage limit
• An individual can additionally opt for a higher cover directly from the insurance company by paying a higher premium, without affecting the existing Government DDSSY coverage

Who Is Not Eligible Under DDSSY

• Central Government employees and their family members covered under the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) or medical reimbursement
• State Government employees and their family members covered under the Contributory Service Medical Assistance (CSMA) scheme or the Government medical reimbursement
• Residents of Goa who have been residing in the state for less than 5 years
• Persons who cannot produce a valid residence proof issued within the last 5 years in Goa

Documents Required to be Attached

The following documents are required for new enrollment under Deen Dayal Swasthya Seva Yojana. All uploaded documents must be self-attested before submission on the official Goa Online portal.

Identity Documents

• Aadhaar Card of every family member above 5 years of age (compulsory)
• Aadhaar Enrollment Acknowledgement Slip for members where the Aadhaar card has not yet been issued
• Birth Certificate for minor children below 5 years of age

Residence Proof of Eligible Person

Residence proof must have been issued a minimum of 5 years ago in Goa; the issue date must be clearly visible on the document. Any one of the following is accepted:

• Passport
• Residence Certificate
• Voter ID Card
• Driving Licence
• Aadhaar Card issued a minimum of 5 years ago in Goa

Family Identification Documents

• Ration Card to define the family unit, wherever available
• If the Ration Card is not available, all of the following must be submitted as applicable:
• For Spouse: Marriage Certificate, Birth Certificate of Child, Passport, or Voter ID with spouse’s name mentioned
• For Dependent Child: Birth Certificate or School Leaving Certificate
• For Dependent Parents or In-Laws: Declaration stating that they are not employed

Documents for Fee Concession

• OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): Caste Certificate issued by Deputy Collector and Income Certificate issued by Deputy Collector or Mamlatdar confirming annual income below Rs. 6 lakh
• SC/ST: Caste Certificate issued by the Directorate of Tribal Welfare or the Deputy Collector
• Differently Abled: Disability Certificate issued by the Medical Board or Disability Identity Card issued by the Directorate of Social Welfare

Documents Required for Renewal with Updation

• Aadhaar Card of every new family member being added above 5 years of age
• Residence proof of the eligible person if the eligible person is being changed
• Updated caste or income certificate if the caste category is being changed
• Death Certificate for deleting a deceased member
• Marriage Certificate for deleting a married daughter
• Divorce Certificate, wherever applicable

Important: Simple renewal without any changes does not require any documents. Documents are required only when renewal is done with updation or changes to the existing DDSSY card.

How Beneficiaries Can Apply to Avail the Benefit of this Scheme

Deen Dayal Swasthya Seva Yojana accepts both new enrollment and annual renewal through the official Goa Online portal. Applicants can also visit a DDSSY Kendra for offline assistance.

New Enrollment Process

Step 1: Visit the official Goa Online portal at goaonline.gov.in and register by providing your email ID, mobile number, name, address, and date of birth. Complete OTP authentication to activate your account.

Step 2: After logging in, navigate to the DDSSY New Enrollment section and fill in the details of the eligible person or head of the family carefully.

Step 3: Add all family member details, including spouse, unmarried children, and dependent parents. In case the eligible person is female, dependent in-laws can also be added.

Step 4: Upload the residence proof that was issued a minimum of 5 years ago in Goa with the issue date clearly visible. Attach Aadhaar Card of all family members above 5 years of age. For minor children without Aadhaar, attach the birth certificate.

Step 5: Upload the Ration Card for family identification. If the Ration Card is not available, upload the applicable alternative documents for each family member as required.

Step 6: If availing fee concession for SC, ST, OBC Non-Creamy Layer, or Differently Abled category, upload the relevant caste or disability certificate along with the income certificate wherever required.

Step 7: Pay the applicable registration fee of Rs. 200 for a family of 3 or fewer members or Rs. 300 for a family of 4 or more members. Eligible categories receive 50% concession on this fee.

Step 8: Submit the application and note down the Acknowledgement Number for future tracking.

Step 9: If the application is marked for compliance, complete the required action within 30 days or before the end of the policy period, whichever is earlier. Applications not complied with within this period are rejected, and the fee is forfeited.

Step 10: After verification and approval by the respective office, the DDSSY e-card becomes available for download on the portal. Collect the physical DDSSY card from the office selected during application within 30 days of approval. An SMS notification is sent to the registered mobile number on approval.

Annual Renewal Process

Step 1: Log in to the official Goa Online portal at goaonline.gov.in and navigate to Services, then All Services, then Directorate of Health Services, then Deen Dayal Swasthya Seva Yojana Renewal.

Step 2: Enter the DDSSY Card Number and search for member details. Only an existing DDSSY card member can initiate renewal. Non-members cannot use the renewal option.

Step 3: Click Generate OTP and enter the OTP sent to the registered mobile number to validate identity.

Step 4: For simple renewal without changes, no documents are required. For renewal with updation, such as adding a new member, changing an eligible person, or deleting a member, fill the mandatory fields and upload the relevant documents.

Step 5: Pay the applicable renewal fee and click Proceed to Pay. Note down the Acknowledgement Number after successful payment.

Step 6: If the application is marked for compliance, complete the required action within 30 days or before the end of the policy period, whichever is earlier.

DDSSY Card Status Check

Applicants can check the status of their DDSSY card application online at goaonline.gov.in/DDSSYCardStatus using their Acknowledgement Number or DDSSY Card Number at any time.

Offline Application Through DDSSY Kendra

Applicants who are unable to apply online can visit the nearest DDSSY Kendra for enrollment and renewal. For Kendra renewals, visit strictly on receipt of the SMS appointment, as renewal at the Kendra is done only on the given appointment date and time. If the appointment is missed, wait for the next appointment SMS.

Policy Period and Renewal Timeline

• The policy period runs from 1 April to 31 March every year
• A renewed DDSSY card is mandatory to avail cashless treatment at empanelled hospitals from 1 April each year
• The renewal window opens from approximately 4th March each year
• Last date for renewal is 31 March of each year

How to Download DDSSY Card

After enrollment or renewal approval, beneficiaries can download their DDSSY e-card directly from the official Goa Online portal.

Step 1: Visit the official Goa Online portal at goaonline.gov.in and log in using your registered mobile number or user ID and password.

Step 2: After logging in, navigate to the DDSSY section from the Services menu.

Step 3: Click on the Download Card option and enter your DDSSY Card Number or Acknowledgement Number to search for your card details.

Step 4: After the details are displayed on screen, click on Download to save the DDSSY e-card on your device.

Step 5: The physical DDSSY card must be collected from the office selected during application within 30 days of receiving the approval SMS on the registered mobile number.

Important: The DDSSY e-card is made available for download only after verification and approval by the respective office. An SMS notification is sent to the registered mobile number when the card is ready for download. If the card is not available for download, check the application status at goaonline.gov.in/DDSSYCardStatus or contact the DDSSY helpline at 8882988000.

How to Use the DDSSY Card at Empanelled Hospitals

After consulting the doctor at an empanelled hospital, if the required surgery or procedure is covered under DDSSY, approach the DDSSY Sahayak at the hospital with the DDSSY card. The Sahayak will raise a pre-authorisation request to the Insurance Service Administrator doctor. Alternatively, check the official portal to find which empanelled hospital performs the required procedure before visiting.

DDSSY vs Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY: Which Scheme Covers You in Goa

Many Goa residents are confused about whether they are covered under DDSSY or Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana. Both schemes provide cashless health coverage but serve completely different target groups with different eligibility and coverage structures.

Goa residents who do not qualify for Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY but have resided in Goa for 5 or more years can enrol under DDSSY. Residents who qualify for AB-PMJAY can explore the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana for higher coverage of Rs. 5 lakh per year at a wider hospital network across India.

Important Links Available

• Deen Dayal Swasthya Seva Yojana New Enrollment.
• Deen Dayal Swasthya Seva Yojana Renewal.
• DDSSY Card Status Check.
• Directorate of Health Services Official Portal.
• Goa Online Official Portal.

Contact Details in Case of Help Needed

Beneficiaries facing issues related to DDSSY enrollment, renewal, card status, hospital empanelment, cashless treatment, or scheme-related queries can contact the following official channels.

• DDSSY Helpline: 8882988000
• Alternate Helpline: 0832-2438844
• Email: ddssygoa@goaelectronics.co.in
• Goa Electronics Limited (GEL)
  Ground Floor, Shrama Shakti Bhavan,
  EDC Complex, Patto Plaza,
  Panaji, Goa 403001
• Nodal Officer, Directorate of Health Services
  Dr. Yogesh Potdar
  Directorate of Health Services,
  Campal, Panaji, Goa
  Phone: 0832-2225646 Extension 256 / 7447797582

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. What is Deen Dayal Swasthya Seva Yojana?

Ans. Deen Dayal Swasthya Seva Yojana (DDSSY) is a universal health insurance scheme launched by the Government of Goa to provide cashless medical treatment to the entire resident population of Goa, irrespective of financial status. Goa is the first state in India to launch a health insurance scheme covering all residents regardless of income. Any person residing in Goa for 5 years or more is eligible to enrol under the scheme.

Q. How much health coverage does DDSSY provide?

Ans. A family of 3 or fewer members receives cashless coverage of up to Rs. 2.5 lakh per year. A family of 4 or more members receives coverage of up to Rs. 4 lakh per year. Under no circumstances can the total annual claim exceed Rs. 4 lakh per family.

Q. Can family members use the coverage separately?

Ans. Yes. The insurance benefits can be availed of individually or collectively by all family members within the annual coverage limit. Each member can use the coverage independently for their treatment at empanelled hospitals as long as the total family claim does not exceed the annual limit.

Q. What is the registration fee for DDSSY?

Ans. A family of 3 or fewer members pays Rs. 200 per year and a family of 4 or more members pays Rs. 300 per year. A concession of 50% on the registration fee is available for SC, ST, OBC Non-Creamy Layer, and Differently Abled eligible persons, subject to submission of supporting documents. The same fee applies for both new enrollment and annual renewal.

Q. Who is not eligible for DDSSY?

Ans. Central Government employees and their families covered under CGHS and State Government employees and their families covered under CSMA or Government medical reimbursement schemes are not eligible for DDSSY. Residents of Goa who have been residing in the state for less than 5 years are also not eligible.

Q. How many medical procedures are covered under DDSSY?

Ans. A total of 447 medical procedures are covered under DDSSY. These procedures require hospitalisation and involve high out-of-pocket expenses. Procedures are graded into A, B, and C categories based on hospital facilities.

Q. Are chronic disease medications covered under DDSSY?

Ans. Yes. Medication for chronic lifestyle diseases, including Diabetes and hypertension, is covered up to Rs. 15,000 per year. Medication for debilitating disorders, including Epilepsy, Multiple Sclerosis, and Cerebral Palsy, is also covered. Mental Health and Ayurveda hospitalisation is covered but restricted to Government hospitals only.

Q. Which hospitals are empanelled under DDSSY?

Ans. A total of 44 private hospitals in Goa, 11 Government hospitals in Goa, and 18 hospitals outside Goa are empanelled under the scheme. The complete updated list of empanelled hospitals is available on the official Goa Online portal.

Q. When does the DDSSY policy period run?

Ans. The DDSSY policy period runs from 1 April to 31 March every year. A renewed DDSSY card is mandatory to avail cashless treatment at empanelled hospitals from 1 April each year. The renewal window opens from approximately 4th March, with the last date being 31 March.

Q. Is a simple renewal possible without submitting documents?

Ans. Yes. Simple renewal without any changes to the existing DDSSY card does not require any documents. Documents are required only when renewal is done with updation, such as adding a new member, deleting a member, or changing the eligible person.

Q. How can beneficiaries check their DDSSY card status?

Ans. Beneficiaries can check their DDSSY card application status online at goaonline.gov.in/DDSSYCardStatus using their Acknowledgement Number or DDSSY Card Number.

Q. How is cashless treatment available at empanelled hospitals?

Ans. After consulting the doctor at an empanelled hospital, if the required procedure is covered under DDSSY, the patient approaches the DDSSY Sahayak at the hospital with the DDSSY card. The Sahayak raises a pre-authorisation request to the Insurance Service Administrator. After pre-authorisation, the patient receives cashless treatment at the hospital.

Q. What happens if the DDSSY application is marked for compliance?

Ans. If the application is marked for compliance, the applicant must complete the required action within 30 days or before the end of the policy period, whichever is earlier. Applications not complied within this period are rejected and the fee paid is forfeited.

Q. Can a beneficiary opt for higher health coverage beyond DDSSY limits?

Ans. Yes. An individual can opt for additional higher coverage directly from the insurance company by paying a higher premium. This does not affect the existing Government DDSSY policy and facilities in any way.

Q. Where can beneficiaries apply offline for DDSSY?

Ans. Beneficiaries who are unable to apply online can visit the nearest DDSSY Kendra for enrollment and renewal. For Kendra renewals, applicants must visit strictly on the date mentioned in the SMS appointment received on their registered mobile number.

Q. What is the DDSSY helpline number?

Ans. The DDSSY helpline number is 8882988000. Beneficiaries can also contact at 0832-2438844 or email at ddssygoa@goaelectronics.co.in for scheme-related queries.

Tabassum

Tabassum is a government schemes researcher and writer with 5 years of experience tracking Central and State welfare scheme programmes across India. She has covered 500+ schemes spanning agriculture, women welfare, education, and housing, helping lakhs of beneficiaries understand their entitlements in simple language.