Bhubaneswar, March 2025: In a significant step towards enhancing healthcare access, the Odisha Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Health Authority (NHA) to integrate the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) with the state’s Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY). This move will extend cashless healthcare services to nearly 1.03 crore families, covering approximately 3.46 crore beneficiaries across Odisha.
Under this new integrated scheme, eligible families will receive ₹5 lakh per annum for cashless medical treatment. Additionally, women beneficiaries will get an extra ₹5 lakh, increasing their total coverage to ₹10 lakh per annum.
Furthermore, the Odisha Government has also decided to implement the Ayushman Vayo-Bandana Yojana for senior citizens. Individuals aged 70 years and above, regardless of economic background, will receive ₹5 lakh per annum per family for free medical treatment under this scheme.
With this initiative, beneficiaries will now have access to 29,000 empaneled hospitals across India, both public and private, significantly expanding from the previous 900 hospitals under the state scheme. Moreover, the implementation of AB-PMJAY in Odisha will allow the state to receive central funding support from the Government of India.
The Ayushman Vayo-Bandana Yojana will also enable senior citizens to avail treatment at the same 29,000 empaneled hospitals nationwide. This expansion is expected to bring an additional 6 lakh new beneficiaries under the state’s healthcare coverage.
Meanwhile, the free treatment services in all government hospitals of Odisha will continue as per the existing policy, ensuring universal healthcare access for all citizens.
