Rs. 5 Lakh Free Health Cover Soon: West Bengal to Join Ayushman Bharat Scheme; Check Who Gets the Benefits?

West Bengal is going to implement the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana also known as AB PM-JAY and will become the 36th State/Union Territory to do so.

Ayushman Bharat expected to majorly expand access to affordable healthcare and provide financial protection to lacs of families across the state.

The National Health Authority (NHA) and the Government of West Bengal are scheduled to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on June 8 for the implementation of Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY in the state. The agreement will formally bring West Bengal under the umbrella of the world's largest government-funded health insurance scheme.

The MoU signing ceremony will be done in the presence of Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda and attended by West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the National Health Authority.

What is Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY?

Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana is the Centre's flagship health assurance programme that provides health coverage of up to Rs. 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary hospitalisation.

The scheme lets eligible beneficiaries access cashless treatment at empanelled public and private hospitals across India.
What Will West Bengal Gain? Benefits Of PM-JAY.

With West Bengal joining Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY, residents are expected to benefit from expanded access to quality healthcare services.

Healthcare costs are one of the biggest financial challenges for Indian households. By extending PM-JAY coverage to beneficiaries in West Bengal, the government makes sure that families do not have to fall into debt due to major medical emergencies.

PM-JAY offers up to Rs. 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary hospitalization.

It provides cashless and paperless treatment at empanelled public and private hospitals across India.

Benefits are portable nationwide, so a beneficiary can access treatment at any empanelled hospital in another state as well.
The coverage also includes a broad package of services, with treatment costs covering items like drugs, diagnostics, room charges, surgeon fees, ICU, and OT charges.