A Parliamentary Standing Committee has recommended increasing the health insurance cover under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) from the existing ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh per family per year, citing the sharp rise in the cost of advanced medical treatments and the growing financial burden on patients.

In its recommendations, the committee observed that rapid advancements in medical technology and the increasing cost of high end procedures including organ transplants, cancer therapies, cardiac interventions and critical care

have pushed treatment expenses well beyond the scheme’s current coverage limit. As a result, many beneficiaries continue to incur substantial out of pocket expenditure despite being covered under the government’s flagship health insurance programme.

The panel noted that enhancing the coverage ceiling would provide greater financial protection to economically vulnerable families and improve access to advanced medical care. It also emphasized the need to periodically review insurance limits in line with medical inflation and evolving healthcare costs to ensure the scheme remains effective and relevant.

Launched in 2018, Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY is the world’s largest government funded health assurance programme, providing cashless health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family annually for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization. The scheme currently covers over 55 crore beneficiaries from economically weaker sections and has facilitated more than 12 crore hospital admissions, significantly reducing financial barriers to healthcare.

Healthcare experts have welcomed the recommendation, noting that medical inflation in India is estimated at 12  14% annually, among the highest globally. They believe that revising the coverage limit would help patients access costly treatments without facing catastrophic healthcare expenses, particularly for diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disorders and neurological conditions.

The committee also highlighted the importance of strengthening healthcare infrastructure, expanding the network of empanelled hospitals and ensuring timely claim settlements to improve the overall effectiveness of the scheme. Experts further stressed that increasing financial coverage should be complemented by better access to quality healthcare services, diagnostics and specialist care across both urban and rural regions.

The recommendation reflects the government’s continued efforts to strengthen India’s public healthcare financing framework and could significantly enhance financial protection for millions of beneficiaries if adopted, reinforcing Ayushman Bharat’s role in advancing universal health coverage.