The Punjab government, which is led by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has announced the Mukhmantri Sehat Yojana (MMSY) which has the aim of providing universal and cashless healthcare to all person in the state. As part of this program, families will be legally entitled to medical care for free up to Rs10 lakh a year, regardless of their income or occupation situation.
In contrast to previous health insurance programs which were restricted by the beneficiary category or income limits or beneficiary categories Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana is designed to provide a universal healthcare plan, which aims to cover approximately 3 million people in 65 lakh households. The program significantly increases the financial coverage as well as the range of healthcare services offered to the citizens, putting Punjab as one of the few Indian states that attempt to provide near universal health insurance through one scheme.
What Is Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana?
Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana, a government-funded health assurance program that provides payment-free treatment for tertiary and secondary healthcare services across a broad hospital network that is empanelled. Every family that is eligible is issued a health card that can be used to get treatment without having to make an upfront payment at participating hospitals.
The annual health insurance of Rs10, 000 per family is more than double the limit of Rs5 lakh that was that was available under earlier plans, a sign of the government’s efforts to reduce the cost of healthcare and cut down on out-of-pocket medical costs.
Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana – Overview
| Key Aspect | Details |
| Scheme Name | Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana (MMSY) |
| Launched By | Government of Punjab (AAP) |
| Coverage Type | Healthcare that is universal, non-cash and cashless |
| Annual Medical Cover | A family of 10 can afford Rs10 lakh. |
| Beneficiaries | All legitimate residents of Punjab |
| Income Limit | No income criteria |
| Total Families Covered | About 65 lakh |
| Total Beneficiaries | More than 3 million people |
| Empanelled Hospitals | 823 hospitals, both private and public. |
| Treatment Packages | Over 2,300 |
| Insurance Partner | United India Insurance Company |
| State Funding | The coverage above Rs1 lakh is financed by Punjab Govt |
| Total Budget Allocation | Rs.1,200 crore |
| Health Card | Single MMSY card per household |
| Enrolment Mode | Sewa Kendras, online portal, door-to-door |
| Coverage Area | Punjab, Chandigarh & outside states in emergency situations |
| Official Website | https://www.myscheme.gov.in/ |
Who Is Eligible?
The scheme is open to all legitimate residents of Punjab without any restrictions on income. It is a simple and broad eligibility:
- Families who have an Aadhaar Card and Punjab Voter ID
- Children younger than 18 years old are covered by documents of parents
- Pensioners and employees of the government
- Contractual, outsourced and consulting staff who work with Punjab department of government
- There is no exclusion based on occupation or income level job status
This comprehensive design will ensure that every resident does not miss medical treatment due to financial constraints.
Medical Coverage and Scope
The Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana includes more than 2,300 medical package that cover a broad range of medical services. These packages encompass secondary and tertiary healthcare and provide treatment for typical ailments, as well as more complicated medical ailments.
Treatments Covered Include:
- The diagnosis of cancer and the treatment
- Heart surgeries and procedures for the heart
- Kidney transplantation and dialysis
- Surgery for the spine and brain
- Orthopedic procedures (knee and hip replacements)
- Newborn and maternal care
- Services for trauma and emergency services for trauma and emergency
- Critical care and ICU
- Diagnostic tests are a link to hospitalization
- Costs for pre-hospitalization and post-hospitalization
The plan is intended to cover the cost of treatment from beginning to end which will ease the financial burden for families in the event of medical emergencies.
Empanelled Hospitals Network
Treatment that is cashless can be accessed in 823 hospitals with empanelled facilities which include:
- Hospitals of the government
- Hospitals in sub-divisions and districts
- Community Health Centres (CHCs)
- Medical colleges
- Hospitals for teaching and private multi-specialty hospitals.
There are hospitals located that are located in Chandigarh include Chandigarh hospitals as well. In the event that specialized treatment is not available within Punjab the beneficiary may seek treatment outside of the state, based on medical need.
How to Enroll in Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana
To be eligible for benefits, families need the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana Health Card.
Enrolment Options:
- Sewa Kendras across Punjab
- Online registration portal that uses Aadhaar or Voter ID
- Enrollment via door-to-door by trained youth club volunteers
The government has implemented a variety of ways to enroll people in order to ensure the coverage is 100%, especially in areas that are rural or underserved.
Cashless Treatment Mechanism
Under MMSY the beneficiaries are not required to pay any charges in the hospital. The process is as follows:
- The patient is required to present MMSY health card to an empanelled hospital
- The hospital confirms eligibility via the system
- Treatment is offered without advance payment
- Hospital submits claim to institution that is implementing the claim
- The reimbursement is made within the specified timeframe
The Punjab government has refunded insurance premiums in advance to avoid interruptions in service.
Financial Structure of the Scheme
The scheme is based on the basis of a hybrid model of funding:
- One lakh for each family that is insured by United India Insurance Company
- The remaining Rs9 lakh is financed directly through the Punjab government
- Total budget allocation: Rs1,200 crore
This model is designed to provide insurance-backed coverage while also providing direct state support for high-cost treatments.
Government’s Vision and Objectives
the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has said that the main goal for MMSY will be to make sure that that no residents from Punjab will be denied health treatment because of financial hardship. In providing universal healthcare coverage, without any discrimination on the basis of income, this scheme is a move towards healthcare as a fundamental right, not as a privilege.
Concerns
Despite its expansive ambitions, the plan has sparked concerns over its the sustainability of its finances. Punjab is already weighed down by huge debts and a subvention bill that exceeds the amount of Rs22,000 crore.
The skepticism stems from recent issues. In 2024-25, private hospitals halted cashless treatment under the old state health system due to the amount of Rs600 crore of unpaid payment. In the Punjab and Haryana High Court then took note of “persistent and systemic delays” in reimbursements.
The state is able to sustainably fund health care for over 3 million people, if the utilisation increases dramatically. The success of MMSY will depend on prompt reimbursements, control of utilisation, along with fiscal prudence.
FAQ’s
Q1. Does Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana only available to those with poor families?
No. It is a universal scheme that is available to all bonafide residents of Punjab regardless of their income, profession or job status.
Q2. What is the amount of medical coverage the family receive through the MMSY?
Each eligible family can avail cashless treatments up to Rs10 lakh each year.
Q3. Where can beneficiaries’ access MMSY health cards?Â
The card can be used in 823 hospitals that are empanelled throughout Punjab and Chandigarh as well as outside of the state in medically justifiable situations.
