Finance
Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) continues to strengthen India’s journey towards Universal Health Coverage by ensuring access to quality, affordable and cashless healthcare services. The scheme is now being implemented across all 36 States/Union Territories, marking a significant milestone in expanding healthcare access and strengthening the delivery of secondary and tertiary care services across the country.
Initially, the scheme covered 10.74 crore families identified under the Socio-Economic Caste Census, 2011, constituting the bottom 40% of India’s population. In January 2023, the beneficiary base was revised from 10.74 crore to 12 crore families to account for India’s decadal population growth. In March 2024, approximately 37 lakh additional families of Accredited Social Health Activists, Anganwadi Workers and Anganwadi Helpers were included under the scheme. The scheme was further expanded to cover 6 crore senior citizens of age 70 years and above belonging to 4.5 crore families irrespective of their socio-economic status.
Further, many States have expanded the beneficiary base beyond the centrally targeted beneficiary numbers by converging their state-specific schemes with AB PM-JAY. The expansion of the beneficiary base under AB PM-JAY, coupled with the integration of various State health assurance schemes, has significantly enhanced the scheme’s outreach among vulnerable populations across the country.
AB PM-JAY provides a national portability feature, enabling beneficiaries to avail cashless treatment at any empanelled hospital across the country, irrespective of their State/UT. This portability feature enhances access to quality healthcare services, particularly for migrant workers and beneficiaries travelling outside their home State.
As on 30th June, 2026, a total of 29.05 lakh inter-state portability hospital admissions, amounting to more than Rs. 8,383.97 crore, have been authorized under AB PM-JAY across the country.
AB PM-JAY is implemented through a robust end-to-end digital platform that enables empanelled hospitals to identify and verify eligible beneficiaries, irrespective of their home State, and facilitates hospital admissions, claims processing and settlement for portability cases. This integrated digital ecosystem ensures seamless, cashless and paperless access to healthcare services at empanelled hospitals across the country.
To improve beneficiary enrolment and enhance awareness, including on the portability feature, AB PM-JAY has adopted a comprehensive Information, Education & Communication (IEC) and outreach strategy. The strategy includes awareness campaigns through traditional and digital media platforms such as newspapers, community radio, television and radio campaigns, digital displays, street plays, mass messaging, social media, and the dissemination of beneficiary testimonials.
Further, Pradhan Mantri Arogya Mitras deployed at empanelled hospitals play a key role in facilitating portability under AB PM-JAY. They assist beneficiaries, including migrant workers and those seeking treatment outside their home State, with identification and verification, cashless admission, hospital coordination, and support throughout the hospitalization process.
The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Smt. Prataprao Jadhav, stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
Source: PIB
