Ayushman Bharat set to benefit 26 lakh TS families

New Delhi THE National Health Authority (NHA) has signed an MoU with the Government of Telangana to implement Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) in the State with immediate effect. The Ayushman Bharat scheme has been integrated with the existing state scheme 'Aarogyasri' and this converged scheme is being called Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY Aarogyasri.

With the launch of Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY in Telangana, the scheme has been further expanded and now encompasses 33 States/Union Territories. With this convergence, approximately 26 lakh beneficiary families (around 1.3 crore individuals) as per SECC, 2011 data will be eligible to avail services under the scheme in the State.

Beneficiaries are entitled to avail free healthcare coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation. Health services can be availed in any of the 22,000 empanelled public and private hospitals across the country through the scheme's portability feature. The National Health Authority (NHA) along with the State Health Agency will undertake necessary action to ensure that all eligible beneficiaries are provided free healthcare services under the converged scheme.

Speaking on this launch, Dr RS Sharma, CEO, National Health Authority, said, "We are happy to onboard the State of Telangana for the rollout of AB PM-JAY. The beneficiaries from the State are now eligible to avail free healthcare services pan India through our network of more than 22,000 hospitals. This is not only going to benefit the eligible families in the state but will also enable the delivery of healthcare services to PM-JAY beneficiaries from other States/Union Territories living in Telangana. The providers' base has also increased. Our call center has started getting calls from the eligible population in the State. We are committed to taking the benefit of the scheme to all eligible beneficiaries."

While the eligible population of the State would benefit from free healthcare services across the country, the launch of a converged scheme will lead to effective utilization of resources for providing quality healthcare services. NHA will provide several auxiliary supports to State Health Agency (SHA) including related to fraud and abuse control. A beneficiary can call the toll-free number 14555 to know about their eligibility under the scheme and information on how to avail services.

The launch of the scheme in Telangana is a significant milestone in the country's journey towards Ayushman Bharat. National Health Authority has constantly been trying to onboard remaining States/UTs so that all eligible beneficiaries are able to avail free healthcare services under the scheme.