West Bengal joins Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY

Why in News?

West Bengal has become the 36th State/Union Territory to implement the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY). The implementation was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the National Health Authority and the Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of West Bengal, marking the nationwide adoption of the flagship health assurance scheme.

About Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY

• The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) was launched in September 2018 as part of the broader Ayushman Bharat programme. It is recognized as the world’s largest government-funded health assurance scheme.
• The scheme aims to provide cashless health insurance coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary healthcare hospitalization.
• Coverage and Beneficiaries:
• AB PM-JAY currently covers more than 62 crore people across the country. Beneficiaries include:
  • Poor and vulnerable families.
  • Senior citizens aged 70 years and above.
  • Gig and platform workers.
  • Other eligible socio-economically disadvantaged households.

Key Features

• The scheme provides cashless treatment at empanelled public and private hospitals across India. Beneficiaries can avail of healthcare services without geographical restrictions through a portable health coverage system.
• The programme seeks to reduce out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure and improve access to quality medical services for economically vulnerable sections of society.

About Ayushman Bharat

• Ayushman Bharat is the Government of India’s flagship healthcare reform programme aimed at achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Pillars of Ayushman Bharat:
• Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY: Provides health assurance coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per eligible family annually for hospitalization expenses.
• Ayushman Aarogya Mandirs (AAM): These are upgraded primary healthcare facilities that provide comprehensive healthcare services, including preventive, promotive, curative, rehabilitative, and palliative care.
• Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission: The mission aims to create an integrated digital health ecosystem through digital health IDs, electronic health records, and interoperable healthcare systems.PM-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission: The mission focuses on strengthening public health infrastructure, disease surveillance systems, diagnostic facilities, and emergency healthcare preparedness across the country.

Source: PIB