Denying Medical Reimbursement For Chronic Illness On Ground That Treatment Was Taken In OPD Is 'Unreasonable Classification': Punjab & Haryana HC

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has made it clear that denying medical re-imbursement to an employee of the State Government for the treatment of wife's chronic illness on the ground that the same was done in Outpatient Department is based on "unreasonable classification. The Punjab & Haryana High Court has made it clear that denying medical re-imbursement to an employee of the State Government for the treatment of wife's chronic illness on the ground that the same was done in Outpatient Department is based on "unreasonable classification." After hearing the submissions, the Court noted that the single judge held that when the treatment taken was essential to life saving and the disease was listed chronic, rejection of the medical reimbursement claim of the wife of the employee was not tenable. The Court also referred to the policy on medical reimbursement of the Haryana Government Employees/Pensioners/Dependents, and found that a Government employee will not be allowed reimbursement of medical treatment in respect of himself or his dependents, if such treatment is taken in an emergencey in an "unapproved hospital."