In a landmark move for public healthcare, the Punjab government has finalised a partnership with United India Insurance Company to roll out a universal, free cashless health treatment scheme for every family in the state. The ambitious Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna (MMSY) is set to be formally launched on January 15, 2026, by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal.
Universal Coverage with No Exclusion Criteria
Announced by State Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh, the scheme promises to be a game-changer by offering health insurance coverage of up to Rs 10 lakh per family. Crucially, the minister emphasised that the programme is designed for total inclusivity, with no income cap or exclusion criteria. "This scheme will cover 100 per cent of the population in the state," Dr Singh stated.
Eligibility is straightforward: any resident of Punjab possessing an Aadhaar card and a voter card can avail the benefits. The scheme aims to cover all of Punjab's 65 lakh families. To ensure seamless enrolment, the government plans to hold over 9,000 camps across the state. The process has also been simplified through Common Service Centres (CSCs), after which beneficiaries will receive dedicated MMSY health cards. A dedicated helpline will be launched soon to assist residents.
Robust Hospital Network and Swift Payments
Beneficiaries will have access to secondary and tertiary care across a wide network of empanelled hospitals. Initially, the network includes 824 hospitals, comprising 212 public hospitals, eight Government of India hospitals, and over 600 private institutions. This number is expected to grow as the scheme progresses.
The scheme covers an impressive 2,200 medical procedures. Expenses related to hospitalisation, surgeries, ICU care, diagnostics, medicines, and pre- and post-hospitalisation treatment will be covered under approved packages. A key assurance from the Health Minister addresses a common pain point for hospitals: payments will be processed within 15 days to a maximum of one month.
Two-Tier Insurance Structure with Proven Partner
The agreement with United India Insurance was signed in Chandigarh on Friday by State Health Agency (SHA) CEO Sanyam Aggarwal and United India Insurance Executive Director Mathew George. The insurer was selected based on its proven track record in implementing similar schemes in other states like Tamil Nadu.
The insurance structure operates on two levels:
- United India Insurance will provide coverage of Rs 1,00,000 per family for all 65 lakh families.
- For treatment requirements between Rs 1,00,000 and Rs 10,00,000, the insurance will be provided directly by the State Health Agency (SHA), Punjab.
While the exact premium amount the government will pay was not disclosed, the scheme is fully funded by the state. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had earlier highlighted that the initiative would ensure cashless and paperless treatment, significantly reducing out-of-pocket healthcare expenses for people in both urban and rural areas.
With its launch on January 15, the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna stands to become one of the most comprehensive public health insurance models in the country, aiming to provide a critical financial safety net for every family in Punjab.
