Punjab health scheme provides Rs 522 crore in cashless treatment

The Punjab government’s Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana has provided cashless medical treatment worth over Rs 522 crore to more than 1.59 lakh beneficiaries as of May 16, according to official data. The scheme offers annual health coverage of up to Rs 10 lakh per family across government and empanelled private hospitals in the state.

Punjab health minister Balbir Singh said the scheme aims to ensure that financial constraints do not prevent people from accessing treatment. “From complex surgeries and heart procedures to dialysis, neonatal care, and critical illness treatments, the aim is that no one should be denied care because they cannot afford it. The Bhagwant Mann Government’s Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana offers cashless health coverage of up to Rs 10 lakh per family annually to all bona fide residents of Punjab, including middle-class families, government employees, and pensioners,” he said.

The scheme operates under the updated HBP 2.2 framework and includes nearly 2,300 health benefit packages across 839 hospitals. This includes both government and empanelled private healthcare facilities, while 98 specialised treatment packages have been reserved for government hospitals.

According to the government, more than 3.11 lakh procedures have been carried out under the scheme so far. Over 44 lakh health cards have also been issued, with districts including Ludhiana, Patiala and Jalandhar recording high enrolment figures.

Registration for the scheme is available through Common Service Centres, government hospitals, district offices and outreach camps. Applicants are required to submit basic identification documents, including Aadhaar and voter ID cards. The coverage includes hospitalisation expenses as well as pre-treatment tests and post-hospitalisation care.

The rollout comes amid concerns over rising healthcare costs and out-of-pocket medical spending in India. A 2021 study published in Applied Health Economics and Health Policy found that treatment for major illnesses such as cancer and heart disease often resulted in severe financial strain for households, particularly in private hospitals.