Printing Of Ayushman Bharat Health Cards Underway In Odisha For 3.5 Cr Beneficiaries

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government is all set to include over 3.5 crore people as beneficiaries of the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme, Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling said on Friday.

The process for issuing health cards to the new beneficiaries is in progress and the scheme is expected to become operational in the state by the end of this month, the Minister said.

Notably, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was recently signed in New Delhi between the Central and State governments, setting the path for the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat scheme in Odisha.

Stating that printing of Ayushman Bharat health insurance cards is already in progress, Mahaling said the focus is also on ensuring proper IT integration while rolling out the scheme.

State’s Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana is to be integrated with Ayushman Bharat Yojana and one card will be provided to each beneficiary, the Minister said.

Beneficiaries will receive Rs 5 lakh insurance cover per family annually for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation at public and private empanelled hospitals across India. Women in Odisha will receive an insurance cover of Rs 10 lakh.

Cashless access to healthcare services, covering up to three days of pre-hospitalisation expenses and 15 days of post-hospitalization costs, including diagnostics and medications. All pre-existing conditions are covered without any restrictions on family size, age, or gender, sources said.

AB PM-JAY covers nearly 2,000 medical procedures across 27 specialities, major surgeries like bypass surgeries, and knee replacements, including medications, supplies, diagnostic services, physician fees, room charges, and surgery costs.

The scheme will ensure continuous medical care for senior citizens above 70 years and provide treatment at over 29,000 hospitals nationwide.