Punjab’s Free Health Insurance Scheme: Full Details, Eligibility, and Registration Process
The Punjab Government’s flagship health insurance initiative — Mukh Mantri Sehat Bima Yojana — is transforming healthcare access for millions of residents across the state. Launched on 20 August 2019, this welfare scheme aims to provide cashless and paperless medical coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year, ensuring that financial constraints never stop anyone from getting timely treatment.
Let’s explore the scheme’s key benefits, eligibility criteria, required documents, and how you can generate your own E-Card for cashless hospital services.
The Punjab Mukh Mantri Sehat Bima Yojana (PM-JAY MMSBY) is aligned with the Ayushman Bharat scheme at the national level. It targets to cover nearly 65% of Punjab’s population, offering them free medical treatment in both government and empanelled private hospitals.
Under this plan, families can avail cashless hospitalization for secondary and tertiary care — including surgeries, medical treatments, and chronic disease management. Beneficiaries are not required to pay anything at the hospital; the entire process is cashless, paperless, and transparent.
₹5 lakh annual coverage per family: Each eligible family receives up to ₹5,00,000 every year for hospitalization expenses.
Cashless and paperless treatment: No need to pay from your pocket at registered hospitals.
Wide network of hospitals: Treatment is available at government and authorized private hospitals listed under the scheme.
Coverage for major treatments: The insurance includes inpatient care, secondary and tertiary treatment, and several pre-approved medical conditions.
Financial relief for low-income households: The scheme ensures that even economically weaker families can access quality healthcare without financial burden.
Only permanent residents of Punjab are eligible for this scheme. Applicants must fall under one of the following categories:
Families listed in SECC 2011 data
Smart Ration Card holders
J-Form farmers
Registered small traders under the Excise and Taxation Department
Small and marginal farmers
Accredited journalists with official or yellow cards
Construction workers registered with the Punjab Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board
These categories ensure inclusion of poor families, farmers, small business owners, and informal sector workers who are most in need of medical support.
Eligible beneficiaries can easily generate their E-Card from home through two methods — via mobile app or the official website.
Option 1: Using Ayushman App
Download the Ayushman Bharat App on your smartphone.
Log in using your registered mobile number and verify your eligibility.
Generate or download your E-Card instantly.
Option 2: Through the Official Website
Visit the official portal — beneficiary.nha.gov.in.
Click on ‘Self Register’ and fill in the required details.
Visit a government or listed private hospital (list available on SHA website) to get your E-Card activated.
Once your card is active, you can access cashless treatment at any empanelled hospital across Punjab.
To generate the E-Card, you’ll need the following documents:
Aadhaar Card (for identity verification)
Ration Card or Family Declaration (if ration card not available)
Income Certificate (for eligible income groups)
Construction Worker Card (for registered workers)
The Mukh Mantri Sehat Bima Yojana represents a major step towards universal health coverage in Punjab. It protects low-income families, farmers, traders, and workers from falling into debt due to medical emergencies.
By offering ₹5 lakh of cashless health coverage, the state ensures that no one has to compromise on treatment because of financial hardship. This initiative not only improves access to quality healthcare but also strengthens Punjab’s vision of an inclusive and healthy society.
