West Bengal to Launch Ayushman Bharat Scheme Alongside State Health Cover
The new arrangement from August 16 will expand access to cashless treatment, while eligible residents outside the central scheme will continue to receive state-backed coverage.
Kolkata: West Bengal is set to implement the Ayushman Bharat health insurance programme from August 16, marking a significant change in the state’s public healthcare coverage framework.
The state government will also introduce the Mukhyamantri Swasthya Yojana alongside the central scheme to ensure that people who do not qualify under Ayushman Bharat are not left without health coverage.
The new arrangement is expected to provide beneficiaries with access to treatment through empanelled healthcare facilities. The state run Swasthya Sathi programme will continue for the time being, although the government has indicated that it could eventually be phased out.
The move brings West Bengal into the wider national health protection framework under Ayushman Bharat, while retaining a state-level mechanism for residents who fall outside the eligibility criteria of the central programme.
The expansion is expected to strengthen financial protection for families requiring hospital treatment and reduce the burden of medical expenses on households.
The development comes as the Centre highlights the expansion of Ayushman Bharat across India. According to government data, more than 12.69 crore hospital admissions had been covered under the scheme by June 30, 2026, involving expenditure of around Rs 1.92 lakh crore. More than 38,466 public and private hospitals were empanelled under the programme.
The West Bengal rollout therefore represents an important development in the state’s healthcare delivery system, particularly for beneficiaries seeking greater access to government supported hospital treatment.
