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The Hindu
4 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Bihar pushes up its Ayushman Bharat health insurance coverage
Bihar is now among the Indian States leading in the enrolment of cardholders under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), with 3.94 crore Ayushman cards created till date, according to data released by the State government. It has also helped beneficiaries save over ₹1,000 crore in out-of-pocket medical expenses within a single year. Bihar is the third most populous State in the country, with about 80% rural population, and a literacy rate of less than 70%. It faces health challenges, including high infant and maternal mortality rates, malnutrition, and limited access to quality healthcare. As part of its drive to ensure maximum coverage, a recent four-day drive, from May 26-30, brought 17.38 lakh more cardholders into the Central government-run cashless health insurance scheme, offering treatment for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation for the economically weaker sections of society. Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh are the other two States that have recently indicated a high enrolment rate. The flagship health insurance scheme, launched in 2018, offers cashless healthcare treatment of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year. Initially, the State Government had adopted the Socio Economic Caste Census (SECC 2011) data for implementing the AB-PMJAY scheme, Shailesh Chandra Diwakar, Administrative Officer, Bihar Swasthya Suraksha Samiti (Ayushman Bharat), said on the recent focus to expand the coverage of the Ayushman card. In February 2024, the Bihar Government adopted the National Food Security Act (NFSA) database and provided coverage to all NFSA-registered family members. 'This saw many more ration cardholders coming into the AB-PMJAY fold. More than 2.8 crore Ayushman cards were created in 2024,' Mr. Diwakar said. Besides this, the State has launched various measures, including an enhanced cash incentive of ₹15 (from ₹5) to ASHA workers involved in verified enrolments; camps at railway stations to capture those in need when people travel back into the State for festivals; and door-to-door campaigns. 'These extensive mop-up rounds are for individuals who have been left behind,' Shashank Shekhar Sinha, CEO, Ayushman Bharat (PMJAY-Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission), said. The State has also recently registered enrolment of 2.82 lakh persons under the Ayushman Vaya Vandana card (for senior citizens 70 years and above). According to the State government, the total claims paid rose from 3.03 lakh cases in FY 2023-24 to 7.52 lakh cases in FY 2024-25, and more than 2.83 crore Ayushman cards were created in 2024. A first time Ayushman card user, speaking of his enrolment, and experience with availing the treatment, said that he had had his card made only after he reached the hospital to be treated for cataract. 'Though we had heard about the Ayushman card, since we didn't need hospitalisation, we never got the card made,' Lalan Choudhary, a resident of Bihar's Nalanda district, who is now undergoing free treatment at a private healthcare facility in Gaya under the AB-PMJAY, said. 'This is a problem we are facing in the State — though people know about the card, they will enrol under the scheme often only when they seek treatment,' Mr. Diwakar added. The State is now trying to rope in eligible individuals who have not opted for the scheme. Khushi Praveen, 19, who was operated for spinal deformity 10 days ago, speaking about her use of the Ayushman card, said that she had been suffering for a nearly a year without money to secure treatment and surgery. 'Though I needed surgery, without money, there was no access to healthcare. My doctor in the private sector suggested that I get my Ayushman card and get operated. Using the card, I got surgery and am healing well now, and hope to be able to walk soon,' Ms. Praveen said. Parmilla Devi, 50, had her cataract operation performed under the scheme. 'My husband and I work as farmers and couldn't have afforded the surgery otherwise. My husband is also now planning to apply for his card also,' Ms. Devi said. Rajaram Prasad, Chief Surgeon, Gaya district, said that in Gaya district (one of the 38 districts in Bihar), which is seeing robust enrolment and use of the card, in 2024-25, a total of 18,734 people were treated in government hospitals at an expense of about ₹15 crore under the Ayushman scheme. 'Affordable, quality medical care is now no longer a distant dream for the rural population of Bihar,' Dr. Prasad said. Besides the enrolment of more individuals under the scheme, Bihar is also looking at enhancing the number of hospital service providers. Currently, over 1,100 hospitals are empanelled under the scheme in Bihar, 50% of which are private hospitals, a senior Bihar health official.
Hans India
01-06-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Bihar: Motihari beneficiaries count benefits of Ayushman Bharat scheme, thank govt
Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri - Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) - the largest publicly funded health assurance scheme in the world, providing health cover of Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation, is yielding considerable results in the city as thousands of residents have registered themselves for the scheme and are also drawing benefits from it. Unlike earlier, people from the lower and middle class background are getting themselves treated at hospitals without any expense. Those suffering from diseases are undergoing treatment in private hospitals of Motihari and also getting operated upon the PM-JAY. Many patients spoke to IANS, sharing how got operated on for hernia and other diseases like appendix, without accruing any financial burden. Beneficiary Virendra Shah said: "This scheme is very beneficial as the treatment of disease has become very expensive." Prem Kumar said: "If this scheme had not been introduced by the government, poor people like us would have either had to mortgage our jewellery or sell our land, but now, thanks to the government's scheme, we are getting treatment without spending a single rupee." A female beneficiary, Sangeeta Kumar, said: "We had got the Ayushman card made a long time ago. When we knew that treatment is being done under this scheme in this hospital, we came here. We are thankful to the government." Dr. Ajay Verma, a city doctor treating these patients also praised the PM-JAY. "Earlier, if farmers or poor people had a major illness and needed treatment, they had to sell rice and wheat or mortgage their jewellery to get treatment. But, PM-JAY is giving new life to people. People now come to the hospital without paying any money and go after getting treatment. Earlier they used to worry about both the disease and money, but now this does not happen," he told IANS.
NDTV
26-05-2025
- Health
- NDTV
Ayushman Vay Vandana Card: How Senior Citizens Can Get Rs 5 Lakh Free Health Cover
The Ayushman Vay Vandana Card, launched in October 2024 under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), is aimed at providing free health insurance of Rs 5 lakh to all Indian citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of income or previous eligibility. This health initiative, introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, offers comprehensive coverage for nearly 2,000 medical procedures, including pre-existing conditions, with no waiting period. Who Can Avail the Card? Any Indian citizen aged 70 or above can apply. Those already covered under Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY will receive this as an additional top-up, effectively doubling their coverage. Even individuals covered by private insurance or other government health schemes are eligible, though they must choose between existing benefits and this new offering. Key Benefits Rs 5 lakh annual health cover Covers 1,961 medical procedures across 27 specialities Includes all pre-existing illnesses from day one Cashless treatment at over 30,000 empanelled hospitals, including 13,352 private facilities How To Register And Download The Ayushman App To claim the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card, follow these steps: Download the 'Ayushman App' from the Google Play Store. Select 'Login as beneficiary' or 'operator', if applicable. Enter the captcha, mobile number, and select the authentication method. Input the OTP, captcha code, and click on Login. Allow the app to access your device location. Enter beneficiary details, including Aadhaar and state information. If the beneficiary is not found, complete the eKYC process by consenting to an OTP verification. Fill out the declaration form and provide the required information. Submit the mobile number and OTP for the beneficiary. Enter details like PIN code and category. Add family members if needed and proceed. Once the eKYC is approved, the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card will be available for download. What Treatments Are Covered? The scheme includes specialised procedures like: Hemodialysis/Peritoneal Dialysis Total Knee and Hip Replacements Cardiology treatments, including PTCA and pacemaker implantations Stroke and cancer care Orthopaedic surgeries Where Can You Use the Card? Cardholders can access treatment at any of the 30,072 empanelled hospitals under the scheme, including private and public facilities across India.
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Cabinet nod to new jail manual and appointment rules for govt school teachers
Ranchi: The cabinet approved 16 other proposals in the meeting. In another significant decision, cabinet approved the draft of the new Jharkhand Jail Manual - 2025, repealing the currently applicable Bihar Jail Manual (adopted by the Jharkhand govt) after formation of state in 2000. "It is for the first time that a full-fledged jail manual has been prepared in the state," cabinet secretary Vandana Dadel said after the meeting. "We didn't have our own jail manual so far. In 2016, the Centre had circulated a model jail manual, which every state customised it as per their requirements. However, the new manual now is extensive and covers various aspects of jail management and operation. It talks about women, transgender, different abled prisoners and their management, reclassification of jail based on the security, thrust on digital transformation and management among others," Dadel added. That apart, the cabinet also approved the Jharkhand Professional Educational Institutions (Regulation of Fee) Bill, 2025 and a service conditions and appointment rules for teachers, principals and non-teaching staff appointment rules for government secondary school (classes 9-12), a hike in meal allowance for the cadets of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) from Rs 120/day/cadet to Rs 225. It also approved a health cover to senior citizens above 70 years of age up to Rs 5 lakh under the Ayushman Bharat Chief Minister Jan Arogya Yojana . by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Добро пожаловать в Аравию SAUDI Забронировать Undo Meanwhile, BJP criticised the cabinet for its decision to allow private players sell liquor in the state. Party spokesperson Ajay Sahu said, "BJP had in the past advised govt to rope in women groups for retail sales just like it exists at gas stations, petrol pumps to empower them. But for Hemant govt, liquor is just a means of revenue collection and profit, not a tool for social reform."
Hindustan Times
04-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
New app to ensure transparency, accountability in MJPJAY scheme: Abitkar
Maharashtra health minister Prakash Abitkar on Saturday said the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana (MJPJAY), Maharashtra's flagship health scheme, will soon undergo a major overhaul to bring in more transparency and accountability. Abitkar said a mobile application is being developed to closely monitor private hospitals empanelled under the scheme. 'The app available from next month will allow patients and their families to directly file complaints about malpractice by hospitals. The complaints will be received and monitored by the health department for immediate action,' he said. The state government in 2023 revamped the MJPJAY scheme making it universal and increasing the medical treatment cover from ₹1.5 lakh to ₹5 lakh per year per family. Currently, there are 1,359 private and 672 government facilities empanelled under Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) and MJPJAY schemes in the state. Abitkar said, 'We are determined to make the system more transparent. There will be major changes in the scheme, and even the packages will be revised, with a rate revision in some packages. Once the app is operational, hospitals will be held accountable, and patients can directly raise their grievances. If they exploit patients or violate the scheme's norms, action will be taken against them.' According to officials, in the past five years, the government received 1,007 complaints about irregularities in hospitals under MJPJAY. Most of the complaints are regarding illegally demanding money from patients, even though treatment under the MJPJAY scheme is free. Abitkar said that many times the complaints are not taken seriously or handled insensitively by the district coordinators of MJPJAY scheme. 'If the terms of the contract already state that no money should be asked of patients, how can hospitals do otherwise? It is unethical and illegal,' he said. The minister said the mobile app will provide real-time information on hospital bed availability. 'When government systems work efficiently, hospitals will also be forced to follow rules properly,' he said.
