- By Kamakshi Bishnoi
- Mon, 27 Jul 2026 11:56 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
- West Bengal launches Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana.
- Provides Rs 5 lakh cashless treatment annually.
- Covers those excluded from Ayushman Bharat.
The West Bengal government has issued a notification for the Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana, clearing the way for providing health insurance benefits to people excluded from the eligibility list of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY).
Under the new scheme, any eligible family will get the benefits of up to 5 lakh per year for cashless treatment across the country in empanelled government and private hospitals.
As per the Health Department's notification, the Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana will apply to those whose benefits are not covered by Ayushman Bharat. These beneficiaries will be issued a new health insurance card, and the state government will cover the full cost of hospitalisation.
Ayushman Bharat and State Scheme to Run Parallel
According to the government, Ayushman Bharat and the Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana will run concurrently. Beneficiaries of the Ayushman Bharat will receive the benefits under the central scheme while the beneficiaries who are excluded from it will receive its benefits under the state insurance scheme.
This arrangement, as the government claims, would ensure no needy family of the state is deprived of health insurance.
Cashless Treatment Across India
Further, the notification mentioned the beneficiaries would also be able to avail cashless treatment at empanelled hospitals across the country. The government had cited the aim to enable access to healthcare services across the country and make it convenient for the citizens visiting and taking treatment in a state other than their home state.
It may be noted that the state government had recently announced the Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana. With the issuance of the notification, the implementation process has now officially begun.