Ayushman Bharat West Bengal (PM-JAY): Rs 5 Lakh Health Cover
Last Updated
21 July 2026 | SchemeWala Editorial Team
Quick Summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) |
| Launched By | Government of India; rolled out in West Bengal by CM Suvendu Adhikari |
| State | West Bengal (new implementation from July 2026) |
| Beneficiaries | Eligible families; Swasthya Sathi holders, frontline workers and citizens aged 70+ to be integrated |
| Annual Benefit | Up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year of cashless cover |
| Mode of Benefit | Cashless treatment at empanelled hospitals with nationwide portability |
| Official Portal | PM-JAY portal (pmjay.gov.in) and the Ayushman app |
| Status | Rolling out in West Bengal from July 2026 |
About the Scheme
Ayushman Bharat, delivered through the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), is the Government of India health assurance scheme that provides eligible families with up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year of cashless hospital cover. The cover comes with nationwide portability, meaning a beneficiary can access treatment at empanelled hospitals across India, not just in their home state. It is being launched in West Bengal from July 2026, announced by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari after a virtual meeting with Union Health Minister J P Nadda.
West Bengal was previously one of the states not implementing Ayushman Bharat, so this marks the state entry into the national scheme. West Bengal has run its own Swasthya Sathi programme, which offers Rs 5 lakh cover for residents. Under the new rollout, existing Swasthya Sathi cardholders, frontline workers, and citizens aged 70 and above are to be progressively integrated, reportedly under a newly formed State Health Authority (SHA). The intention is for Ayushman Bharat to complement and integrate with Swasthya Sathi, adding nationwide portability and access to the national network of empanelled hospitals.
Key Benefits
- Cashless health cover of up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year.
- Nationwide portability, allowing treatment at empanelled hospitals across India.
- Cashless treatment at empanelled public and private hospitals, reducing out-of-pocket costs.
- Progressive integration of Swasthya Sathi cardholders, frontline workers, and citizens aged 70 and above.
- Coordination under a newly formed State Health Authority (SHA) for West Bengal.
- Complements the existing Swasthya Sathi programme rather than simply replacing it.
Eligibility Criteria
- Eligibility under PM-JAY is nationally defined and based on identified beneficiary categories.
- In West Bengal, existing Swasthya Sathi cardholders are to be progressively integrated.
- Frontline workers are among the groups to be integrated under the new rollout.
- Citizens aged 70 and above are to be covered as part of the integration.
- State-specific eligibility and integration details for West Bengal are expected from the State Health Authority (SHA). Confirm your eligibility through official sources.
Documents Required
- Aadhaar card (for identity verification and e-KYC)
- Existing Swasthya Sathi card (if you hold one)
- Ration card or family identity document (where applicable)
- Mobile number for OTP-based verification
- Any additional documents as specified in the official notification or by the State Health Authority
How to Apply
Ayushman Bharat enrolment and card generation are generally done through the official PM-JAY portal (pmjay.gov.in), the Ayushman app, and empanelled hospitals or Common Service Centres (CSCs). Because West Bengal is a new implementation, the state-specific rollout details are expected from the State Health Authority (SHA). For anything specific to West Bengal, the official application process is expected to be announced by the government — check the official portal for updates.
- Check your eligibility on the official PM-JAY portal (pmjay.gov.in) or the Ayushman app.
- Complete identity verification (e-KYC), typically using Aadhaar and an OTP.
- Generate or download your Ayushman card once eligibility is confirmed.
- For West Bengal-specific integration (including Swasthya Sathi), follow the process announced by the State Health Authority.
- At the time of treatment, present your card at an empanelled hospital to access cashless care.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Applying
- Using unofficial websites or apps to check eligibility or generate a card. Use only pmjay.gov.in and the official Ayushman app.
- Paying an agent to enrol you. Enrolment and card generation under PM-JAY are free.
- Assuming Swasthya Sathi and Ayushman Bharat are automatically the same. Follow the official integration steps announced by the State Health Authority.
- Name or Aadhaar detail mismatches, which can cause e-KYC verification to fail.
- Going to a non-empanelled hospital and expecting cashless treatment. Confirm the hospital is empanelled first.
- Sharing OTPs or card details with strangers who claim they can speed up your application.
Important Dates & Status
Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) is rolling out in West Bengal from July 2026, announced by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari after a virtual meeting with Union Health Minister J P Nadda. This is the state first implementation of the national scheme, having earlier stayed outside it. Integration of Swasthya Sathi cardholders, frontline workers, and citizens aged 70 and above is planned progressively under a newly formed State Health Authority. Confirmed enrolment timelines and West Bengal-specific steps are expected from the State Health Authority, so check official sources for updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much cover does Ayushman Bharat provide?
Up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year of cashless hospital cover, with nationwide portability at empanelled hospitals across India.
Is Ayushman Bharat now available in West Bengal?
Yes. It is being rolled out in West Bengal from July 2026. West Bengal was previously outside the scheme, so this is the state first implementation.
What happens to my Swasthya Sathi card?
Existing Swasthya Sathi cardholders are to be progressively integrated under the new rollout, reportedly through a newly formed State Health Authority. Ayushman Bharat is intended to complement and integrate with Swasthya Sathi.
How do I apply or get my card?
Enrolment is generally through the PM-JAY portal (pmjay.gov.in), the Ayushman app, and empanelled hospitals or CSCs. West Bengal-specific steps are expected from the State Health Authority, so check the official portal for updates.
Are citizens aged 70 and above covered?
Yes. Citizens aged 70 and above are among the groups to be progressively integrated under the West Bengal rollout.
Official Sources
Always verify details from official and reputable sources: Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY (pmjay.gov.in), Government of West Bengal (wb.gov.in), News on AIR (newsonair.gov.in), and reputable news outlets such as The Indian Express, The Economic Times, The Times of India, and LiveMint.
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