Punjab Delays Major Health Insurance Scheme Launch, Doubles Coverage
The Punjab government has postponed the formal launch of its flagship health insurance program. Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann's scheduled appearance before the Akal Takht on January 15 caused the delay. The Mukh Mantri Sehat Bima Yojana will now launch on January 22 instead.
Insurance Cover Jumps to Rs 10 Lakh Per Family
Under the revised scheme, every family in Punjab will receive significantly enhanced protection. The health insurance cover provided by the state government will double from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh per year. This means families can access cashless medical treatment up to this amount annually.
Punjab Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh announced these details during a review meeting. He met with officials from the Mohali district administration and the health department. The minister confirmed that pilot registration for the scheme will begin on January 13 in Mohali district.
Eligibility and Registration Process
Residents need specific documents to qualify for the benefit. They must possess both an Aadhaar card and a voter card issued in Punjab. Dr Balbir Singh explained that registration will start at eight identified locations in Gharuan and Derabassi health blocks on January 13.
The registration network will then expand across the district. Authorities have identified 274 registration sites in Mohali alone. These sites include:
- Common service centres (CSCs)
- Community health centres (CHCs)
- Sub-divisional hospitals
- The district hospital
Existing Beneficiaries Get Additional Coverage
The scheme brings good news for current Ayushman Bharat beneficiaries. They will receive an extra Rs 5 lakh health cover under this initiative. This enhancement boosts their overall insurance coverage substantially.
Dr Balbir Singh emphasized the extensive healthcare network ready to serve beneficiaries. Around 650 private health facilities across Punjab are already empanelled under the scheme. All medical universities in the state have also joined the network. This ensures wide accessibility to quality healthcare services for eligible families.
Administrative Oversight and Implementation
The government has established a robust administrative framework for the scheme. All deputy commissioners will personally supervise registration activities in their respective districts. From the administrative side, additional deputy commissioners (development) have been designated as nodal officers.
Within the health and family welfare department, all deputy medical commissioners posted in civil surgeons' offices have received appointments as nodal officers. This dual-layer oversight aims to ensure smooth implementation.
Dr Balbir Singh stressed the importance of proper execution. He said special care must be taken to guarantee smooth registration processes. Beneficiaries should receive proper guidance throughout the enrollment. The minister also emphasized timely redressal of any issues that may arise.
These measures aim to help the maximum number of eligible families benefit from the enhanced health insurance scheme. The government wants to ensure no deserving family misses out on this crucial healthcare protection.
