West Bengal Distributes 1.23 Crore Ayushman Cards, 80 Lakh Residents to Get ₹5 Lakh Health Cover Under CM Scheme
West Bengal Ayushman Cards and MMSBY: Expanding Health Insurance Coverage West Bengal has distributed Ayushman Bharat health cards to 1.23 crore individuals as the state expands access to publicly funded healthcare coverage. At the same time,
West Bengal Ayushman Cards and MMSBY: Expanding Health Insurance Coverage
West Bengal has distributed Ayushman Bharat health cards to 1.23 crore individuals as the state expands access to publicly funded healthcare coverage. At the same time, the state government has begun distributing Mukhya Mantri Swasthya Bima Yojana (MMSBY) cards to around 80 lakh residents who do not qualify for benefits under the Ayushman Bharat–PM-JAY scheme.
How the Two Schemes Work Together
The dual rollout aims to widen health insurance coverage across the state by bringing eligible beneficiaries under either the central or state-supported health protection framework. Under MMSBY, eligible families can receive health insurance coverage of up to ₹5 lakh, with the scheme targeted at permanent West Bengal residents who are outside the Ayushman Bharat eligibility framework but meet the prescribed criteria.
| Scheme | Cards Distributed | Coverage | Eligibility |
| Ayushman Bharat–PM-JAY | 1.23 crore | Central scheme benefits | As per PM-JAY eligibility criteria |
| Mukhya Mantri Swasthya Bima Yojana (MMSBY) | ~80 lakh (in progress) | Up to ₹5 lakh per family | Permanent WB residents outside PM-JAY eligibility |
Enrolment Numbers Ahead of the Rollout
Ahead of the rollout, around 3.4 crore individuals had enrolled for Ayushman Bharat, while approximately 80 lakh people had signed up for the state health scheme, indicating significant demand for expanded financial protection against hospitalisation expenses. Check Your Ayushman Card Eligibility
Access to Cashless Treatment Across Empanelled Hospitals
The rollout is also expected to increase access to cashless treatment through empanelled hospitals. Earlier reports indicated that the implementation of Ayushman Bharat in West Bengal could provide beneficiaries access to treatment at more than 36,000 empanelled hospitals across India, strengthening portability and access beyond the state. Find Empanelled Hospitals Near You
What This Means for Healthcare Access in West Bengal
The expansion of Ayushman Bharat alongside the Mukhya Mantri Swasthya Bima Yojana represents a significant step towards widening healthcare coverage in West Bengal. By combining central and state-supported schemes, the government aims to reduce gaps in health insurance coverage and provide greater financial protection to eligible families seeking hospital care. View Full MMSBY Scheme Details
