The salient feature of the scheme is that it actually empowers the economically backward family to choose the service provided by various government or private hospitals.

Swaroop said that several experiments on health insurance schemes have failed so far and the world is looking for a foolproof scheme.

“It is considered a technically innovative scheme as this card is cashless and paperless involving transactions that are done electronically,” said Swaroop, who will be heading to Washington in November to make the presentation. “In two months time, details of each card distributed and in use will be available on the Internet,” added Swaroop. While the Centre finances 75 per cent of the cost of the scheme, the state governments have to pay 25 per cent.

For the distribution of cards, an electronic list of eligible BPL households is also provided to the insurance company according to a pre-specified format. The list is also posted in each village prior to the enrollment, the date and location for which it is publicised in advance.

The mobile stations are set up at local centers and are equipped with hardware required to collect biometric information of family members. They also print smart cards and distribute information pamphlet describing the scheme.