New Delhi: HL July 29, 2026
Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) has achieved nationwide implementation, with the flagship health insurance scheme now operational across all 36 States and Union Territories. The expansion marks a major step towards strengthening universal health coverage by providing cashless access to secondary and tertiary healthcare services across India.
The Union Government has also significantly widened the scheme’s coverage. The beneficiary base has increased from 10.74 crore to 12 crore families to reflect population growth. In addition, around 37 lakh families of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), Anganwadi Workers and Anganwadi Helpers have been brought under the scheme. A major recent expansion extends health assurance to nearly 6 crore senior citizens aged 70 years and above, covering around 4.5 crore families irrespective of their socio-economic status.
Several states have further expanded the reach of the scheme by integrating their own health insurance programmes with AB PM-JAY, allowing more vulnerable citizens to receive financial protection for medical treatment.
A key feature of the programme is nationwide portability, enabling beneficiaries to receive cashless treatment at any empanelled hospital across India, regardless of their home state. This has proved particularly beneficial for migrant workers and people travelling outside their native state for work or other reasons.
According to official data, as of June 30, 2026, more than 29.05 lakh inter-state hospital admissions have been authorised under the portability facility, with treatment worth over ₹8,383.97 crore provided to beneficiaries across the country.
The scheme is supported by a fully digital platform that enables beneficiary verification, hospital admissions, paperless claim processing and seamless settlement of portability cases. This digital system helps ensure faster and hassle-free access to healthcare services.
To improve awareness and enrolment, the government continues to run extensive information and outreach campaigns through newspapers, television, radio, digital media, community programmes, social media and beneficiary testimonials.
Pradhan Mantri Arogya Mitras stationed at empanelled hospitals also play an important role by assisting beneficiaries with identity verification, cashless admissions, hospital coordination and support throughout their treatment, especially for patients seeking care outside their home states.
The update was shared by Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Prataprao Jadhav, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
