Odisha to enroll 3.5 crore residents in Ayushman Bharat; health card printing underway

The Odisha government is preparing to bring approximately 3.5 crore residents under the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme. Mukesh Mahaling, Minister of Health and Family Welfare (H&FW) announced on Friday that the process for issuing health cards to new beneficiaries is underway.

Also Read: Ayushman Bharat in Odisha in FY 2024-25; old health cards to be replaced: Minister

Besides, efforts are now focused on the necessary IT integration of the ambitious scheme. It is anticipated that the scheme will be operational by the end of this month.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was recently signed in New Delhi between the Central and State governments, setting the path for the rollout of the Ayushman Bharat scheme in Odisha.

“Printing of Ayushman Bharat health insurance cards, as well as the yojana’s IT integration, are underway. Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana is to be integrated with Ayushman Bharat Yojana and one card will be provided to each beneficiary,” the H&FW Minister said.

Key benefits of Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY

•    Beneficiaries will receive Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation at public and private empanelled hospitals across India.
•    Women in Odisha will receive an insurance cover of Rs 10 lakh.
•    Cashless access to healthcare services, covering up to three days of pre-hospitalisation expenses and 15 days of post-hospitalization costs, including diagnostics and medications.
•    All pre-existing conditions are covered without any restrictions on family size, age, or gender.

Must Read: Odisha implements Ayushman Bharat scheme; 2,000 medical procedures covered

•    AB PM-JAY covers nearly 2,000 medical procedures across 27 specialities, major surgeries like bypass surgeries, and knee replacements, including medications, supplies, diagnostic services, physician fees, room charges, and surgery costs.
•    The scheme will ensure continuous medical care for senior citizens above 70 years and provide treatment at over 29,000 hospitals nationwide.