Punjab approves free treatment up to ₹10 lakh, government clears new health scheme
Chandigarh (The Uttam Hindu): As a New Year gift to the people of Punjab, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has approved the launch of the Chief Minister Health Scheme from January. Under this landmark initiative, every family in the state will be entitled to cashless medical treatment worth up to ₹10 lakh.
Chairing a meeting of the Health Department on Thursday, the Chief Minister said the scheme is a major step toward providing comprehensive healthcare services without any financial burden on citizens. He stated that the Chief Minister Health Insurance Scheme aims to ensure world-class medical facilities and cashless treatment up to ₹10 lakh for every family. With this move, Punjab will become the first state in the country to offer such a high level of universal health coverage.
The Chief Minister said the scheme is a flagship initiative of the Punjab government, designed to provide financial security and easy access to quality healthcare for all eligible residents. Under the scheme, each enrolled family will be able to avail cashless medical treatment up to ₹10 lakh per year, strengthening the goal of universal health coverage.
He added that the scheme ensures seamless access to healthcare services across a wide network of empanelled government and private hospitals in Punjab and Chandigarh. Facilities will include treatment for serious illnesses, major surgeries, ICU services, critical care, and life-saving procedures.
The Chief Minister further said that the scheme focuses on cashless and paperless treatment, while significantly reducing the burden of secondary and tertiary healthcare expenses. It will strengthen healthcare access in both urban and rural areas and provide timely grievance redressal and beneficiary support through digital platforms.
Under the scheme, expenses related to hospitalisation, surgeries, medical procedures, ICU and intensive care services, diagnostic tests, medicines, approved medical consumables, and both pre- and post-hospitalisation costs will be fully covered.
Earlier, families were eligible for treatment up to ₹5 lakh, but the limit has now been doubled to ₹10 lakh. The Chief Minister clarified that every citizen of Punjab, including government employees and pensioners, will be eligible to benefit from the scheme. No income limit has been fixed for eligibility.
He emphasized that citizens can avail free treatment at any government hospital or empanelled private hospital. With this scheme, no resident of Punjab will be denied medical care due to financial constraints. The Health Department has been directed to ensure timely and smooth implementation of the scheme in public interest.
Cashless treatment with no payment by patients:
According to the government, this is a fully cashless facility. Patients will not be required to deposit any money or pay during treatment. Hospitals will directly claim expenses from the government, and patients will not need to handle bills or paperwork.
One card for the entire family:
A single floater card will be issued for the whole family, with an annual limit of ₹10 lakh. All family members can avail treatment under this limit. The ₹10 lakh cover is for the entire family, not for an individual.