Scheme was introduced under ESI Act, 1948 for blue-collar workers employed in the formal private sector. The Scheme provided for comprehensive health service through a network of its own dispensaries and hospitals. It is also supplemented by services purchased from Authorized Medical attendants and private hospitals. The scheme is largely financed through a contribution from employers and employees which is supplemented by the Central and State governments. The Scheme covers over 60 million beneficiaries as of March 2015.