The Punjab government will roll out the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana from January, under which every family in the state will be entitled to free medical treatment worth up to ₹10 lakh, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann announced on Dec 25.
Chairing a review meeting of the Health Department, Mann said the initiative is aimed at achieving universal healthcare and easing the financial strain of medical expenses on citizens.
According to an official statement, the Chief Minister said Punjab would become the first state in the country to provide cashless healthcare cover of ₹10 lakh to every family, regardless of income.
He also said the treatment ceiling, which earlier stood at ₹5 lakh per family, has now been raised to ₹10 lakh. He stated that all residents of Punjab including government employees and pensioners will be eligible for free medical care under the scheme, with no income criteria. The CM added that beneficiaries will be able to access cashless treatment at government hospitals as well as empanelled private healthcare facilities, ensuring that no resident is denied medical care due to financial limitations.
The scheme is designed to offer comprehensive financial protection and guaranteed access to quality healthcare services for all residents. Treatment for major illnesses, critical care, surgeries and life-saving procedures will be available at empanelled government and private hospitals across Punjab and Chandigarh.
Mann said the programme will ensure cashless and paperless treatment, significantly reducing out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure in both urban and rural areas. Coverage will include hospitalisation costs, surgical procedures, ICU care, diagnostic tests, medicines, and expenses incurred before and after hospital admission under approved packages.
The Chief Minister noted that the coverage limit has been enhanced from ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh. He added that all residents of Punjab including government employees and pensioners will be eligible for benefits under the scheme, with no income ceiling.
