Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) in India

Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), launched in 2018, is the world's largest government-funded health insurance scheme, providing coverage of up to ₹500,000 per family per year for secondary and tertiary hospitalization. The programme covers approximately 550 million people (around 120 million families) from economically vulnerable households, making healthcare accessible to those who previously could not afford treatment.

PM-JAY covers over 1,950 medical procedures including surgeries, medical treatments, diagnostic services, and follow-up care. Beneficiaries can access cashless treatment at over 28,000 empanelled hospitals across India, including both public and private facilities. There are no restrictions on family size, age, or pre-existing conditions. The programme is fully funded by the government with no premiums, copayments, or enrollment fees for beneficiaries.

Despite its ambitious scope, PM-JAY faces implementation challenges. Hospital empanelment is uneven across states, with some regions having limited participating facilities. Package rates set by the government are sometimes considered too low by private hospitals, leading to refusal to treat or informal charges. Awareness remains a challenge, with many eligible beneficiaries unaware of their entitlement. Several states including Delhi and West Bengal have not participated in the central scheme, instead operating their own health insurance programmes.