On 29 July 2026, the Government of West Bengal announced the Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana (MMSBY) through an implementation notification issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department. The new state-funded health insurance scheme is intended for residents who are not covered under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) and will provide cashless health insurance coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family annually. The enrolment process and detailed operational guidelines are yet to be announced.
What is Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana?
The Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana (MMSBY) is a proposed state-funded health insurance scheme introduced by the Government of West Bengal for residents who are not eligible for Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY. According to the implementation notification, the scheme will provide cashless health insurance coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family every year. Eligible beneficiaries will be able to access treatment at government hospitals and private hospitals empanelled under Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY across India.
The scheme will apply to permanent residents of West Bengal who are already covered under Swasthya Sathi but are excluded from Ayushman Bharat. It also includes coverage for pre-existing diseases from the first day, no restriction on family size under the family floater plan, and free individual health cards for eligible beneficiaries.
Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana: Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Annual coverage | Up to ₹5 lakh per family |
| Type of benefit | Cashless hospitalisation |
| Hospital network | Government hospitals and AB PM-JAY-empanelled private hospitals across India |
| Family cover | Family floater with no restriction on family size |
| Pre-existing diseases | Covered from the first day without a waiting period |
| Health cards | Individual health cards issued free of cost |
| Portability | Available across India at empanelled hospitals |
Who Can Apply for Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana?
According to the implementation notification, applicants must satisfy all of the following conditions:
Be a permanent resident of West Bengal.
Be covered under the Swasthya Sathi scheme.
Not be covered under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY).
The state government has also clarified that only applicants meeting the notified eligibility conditions will be able to enrol under the scheme once the application process is announced.
Who Is Not Eligible for Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana?
The implementation notification excludes the following categories from the scheme:
Families with an annual income exceeding ₹8 lakh.
Employees or pensioners covered under the West Bengal Health Scheme (WBHS), 2008.
Beneficiaries covered under the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS).
Members of the Employees' State Insurance (ESI) Scheme.
Employees or pensioners covered under group medical insurance schemes operated by Central or State PSUs, urban local bodies, statutory bodies, corporations, trusts, societies, boards or other government-controlled organisations.
Central or State Government employees and pensioners receiving medical allowance under government rules.
Family members above 70 years of age covered under the Ayushman Vay Vandana Scheme.
Individuals whose names have been deleted under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) categories, including absentee, deceased, shifted and duplicate records.
Any other category notified by the Government of West Bengal from time to time.
Documents Required for Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana
The West Bengal government has not yet published the official list of documents required for enrolment. However, the scheme information indicates that applicants may be required to submit:
Aadhaar Card
Proof of permanent residence in West Bengal
Ration Card or Family ID, if prescribed
Recent passport-size photograph
Aadhaar-linked mobile number
Any additional documents notified by the state government
Note: The final list of required documents will be confirmed once the detailed operational guidelines are released.
Has the Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana Application Process Started?
No. Although the implementation notification was issued on 29 July 2026, the Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of West Bengal, has not yet announced the enrolment process or application dates.
The government is expected to issue detailed operational guidelines covering the registration process, enrolment timeline, required documents and the issuance of health cards. Until then, eligible beneficiaries will have to wait for an official notification before applying under the scheme or can buy health insurance by comparing on Coverfox.
Source -
https://x.com/BJP4Bengal/status/2082035836162310429
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana different from Ayushman Bharat?
Yes. Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana is a state-funded health insurance scheme announced by the Government of West Bengal for eligible residents who are not covered under Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY. While both schemes offer cashless hospitalisation benefits, their eligibility criteria differ.
2. Will existing Swasthya Sathi beneficiaries automatically receive Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana benefits?
The state government has not yet clarified whether eligible Swasthya Sathi beneficiaries will be migrated automatically. Detailed operational guidelines and the enrolment process are still awaited.
3. Will beneficiaries receive a new health card under Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana?
According to the scheme notification, eligible beneficiaries will be issued individual health cards free of cost. The government has not yet announced when card issuance will begin.
4. Can a family receive benefits under both Ayushman Bharat and Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana?
No. The scheme has been announced specifically for permanent residents of West Bengal who are not covered under Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY. Those eligible for Ayushman Bharat will continue to receive benefits under the central scheme.
5. When will registrations for Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana begin?
The Government of West Bengal has announced the scheme and issued the implementation notification, but the registration schedule and enrolment process have not yet been released. Eligible residents will be able to apply once the government issues detailed operational guidelines.
6. Which hospitals are expected to provide treatment under Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana?
The scheme notification states that beneficiaries will be able to avail cashless treatment at government hospitals and hospitals empanelled under Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY across India. The complete list of participating hospitals is expected to be published after the scheme's operational guidelines are issued.
