Last Updated: September 22, 2026
Last Updated: September 22, 2026
Mohali: Starting today, people in Punjab will receive free treatment up to ₹10 lakh. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo Arvind Kejriwal, along with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, launched the Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme in Mohali. The government says the scheme covers all expenses.
There are no income or age limits. A Punjab Aadhaar and voter ID card are all it takes for the entire family to benefit from the scheme. This will benefit approximately 3 crore Punjabis from 6.5 million families.
After launching the health insurance scheme, Arvind Kejriwal said, “Today is a historic day. What has happened in Punjab should have happened in 1950. In the 75 years since independence, many governments have come, but none have cared for the people. Take the example of Punjab. There was terrorism in Punjab, then came the drug crisis. But they say there is a time for everything. The era that has been going on in Punjab for the last four years will be written in golden letters.”
Kejriwal said that no Punjabi will die from illness now. The scheme introduced by the Punjab government is for everyone; we don’t consider anyone Congress or Akali. Everyone will benefit from it, and everyone will be able to get treatment in both government and private hospitals.
Meanwhile, CM Mann said that previous governments had implemented schemes that imposed numerous conditions to benefit their favorites. Now, consider the Prime Minister’s Housing Scheme. Not a single home from Punjab is included in the scheme. For example, there are conditions that the house must not be made of bricks. The house must not have a bicycle fan or a gas stove.
CM Mann said – now there will be no blue-green card
CM Bhagwant Mann said that today is a historic day. Every household is included in the health insurance scheme. There is no green or blue card in this. Health is important for everyone. I know many households where if grandfather, father or mother fell ill, they themselves would say, don’t get me treated because the land will have to be sold for treatment. I have seen people in many households waiting for death. The family did not have money. They would give loans due to which the person would die while still alive. But now that is in the past. Now once you reach the hospital, the hospital will treat you.
He said that this Punjab government scheme includes a package for all diseases. Treatment for kidney, heart, and cancer is also included. Even knee surgeries for the elderly and maternal and child care are included.
What else did Arvind Kejriwal said
Health guarantees as promised: Arvind Kejriwal said that CM Bhagwant Mann and I used to campaign for elections. We used to guarantee health during elections. At that time, there was a Congress government, but no one believed us. They used to say that the treasury was empty. We provided free electricity. Good schools are being built. Today, we have made significant arrangements for health.
Ten times more work done in four years: In the last 75 years, governments of the Akali Dal, BJP, and Congress opened 400 primary health centers. Now, 2,500 more community clinics are on the way. We have accomplished ten times more work in four years than the previous government. During their time, dogs roamed the primary health centers, whereas now, Mohalla Clinics provide better facilities.
Now the poor can go to private hospitals: Punjab’s hospitals were facing a shortage of doctors. 1,100 doctors have been recruited. Medicines are available free of charge. Sometimes, illnesses occur that necessitate a visit to a private hospital. That’s why we’ve launched this scheme. Where the richest seek treatment, the poor will now be able to get treatment there too.
Hospitals will receive payment within 15 days.
The health plan covers critical care, chemotherapy, delivery, and all types of surgeries. Advanced surgeries are also included. The plan covers the full cost of all tests, medications, and surgeries during hospital visits.
Nearly 9,000 enrollment centers have been set up. Youth club members will go door-to-door to distribute the slips. People will then bring their Aadhaar and other necessary documents. They will receive information about their card creation over the phone.
Hospitals are important partners in the scheme. They are being offered enhanced packages to provide services to the public. Payments to participating hospitals will be made within 15 days. So far, 900 hospitals have been empanelled.
What is the Chief Minister Health Insurance Scheme?
Under this scheme, beneficiaries will get cashless treatment up to Rs 10 lakh. Patients will not need to make any advance payment during treatment. The scheme card will be activated upon admission to the hospital, and all the cost of treatment, tests and medicines will be covered under the scheme.
Who can avail this scheme?
Every Punjabi can avail this scheme.
Whether a farmer, laborer, pensioner, government employee or businessman – all are covered.
What documents are required for this scheme?
Only two documents are required to avail this scheme:
Punjab Aadhaar Card
Voter ID Card
How and where will the registration take place?
Registration will start after the scheme is launched.
Cards will be made at more than 9,000 service centers across the state.
Registration will also be available at government and listed private hospitals.
The government will send a token to each family, on the basis of which registration will be done.
Once registered, the entire family will be covered under this scheme.
How will the limit of ₹10 lakh be implemented?
According to Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh, this will be a floater card.
A limit of ₹10 lakh per year will be applicable for the entire family.
This amount is not for one person, but for the entire family.
Which diseases will be covered?
Treatment of all serious diseases will be covered.
All tests and medicines will be covered during hospitalization.
Cosmetic surgery will not be covered under this scheme.
Which hospitals will provide this service?
All government hospitals
650 private hospitals in the state
All medical colleges
This scheme will also be valid in hospitals in Punjab and Chandigarh.
How will the hospitals be paid?
The insurance company will bear the expenses up to ₹1 lakh.
Any amount above this limit will be paid on trust basis by the health department agency.
The government has allocated a budget of ₹1,200 crore for this.
Will the patient have to stay in the hospital till the bill is paid?
No.
According to the government, there will be no participation of the patient in the bill.
The patient will be discharged after treatment and recovery, and the payment process will be handled between the hospital and the government.
2 key points about this scheme
More comprehensive than Ayushman Bharat
The Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojana, earlier implemented in Punjab, provided treatment up to ₹5 lakh and was limited to 80% of the population.
New Mukhyamantri Sehat Bima Yojana:
Will cover 100% of Punjabis
No income or age limit
Launch has been postponed thrice
The scheme was announced in July 2025.
The launch was originally scheduled for October 2 (Gandhi Jayanti), but was postponed due to floods.
Then it was scheduled for January 15, 2026, but was postponed due to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s presence at the Akal Takht.
Now, this plan is finally being implemented on January 22nd.
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