In India, healthcare expenses pose a significant financial burden for many, often leading families into poverty. Recognising this, the Punjab government initiated the Ayushman Bharat - Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojana (AB-SSBY) to offer affordable insurance coverage, ensuring access to medical care for economically disadvantaged individuals. In this article, we will discuss the coverage, benefits, eligibility, and more about the Ayushman Bharat - Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojna (AB-SSBY).
AB-SSBY: An overview
Given below is a brief overview of the scheme:
Scheme name |
Ayushman Bharat – Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojana |
Launch date |
August 20, 2019 |
Launched by |
Punjab State Government |
Scheme objective |
To enhance hospital services and provide cashless treatment at government and empanelled private hospitals for the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) of the society. |
Coverage |
Rs. 5 lakh per family/ per year |
What is Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojana (AB-SSBY)?
Introduced on August 20, 2019, by the Punjab government, the Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojana aims to provide healthcare services for economically disadvantaged residents. The initiative focuses on providing cashless medical treatment, including surgeries, worth up to Rs. 5 lakh at both government and private hospitals. This ensures that individuals falling under the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) receive essential healthcare without financial constraints. Additionally, beneficiaries are entitled to annual cashless family health insurance plans of Rs. 5 lakh under AB-SSBY.
Features of Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojana
Below are the key components of the Sehat Bima Yojana:
- Insurance provision: Each family member covered by the scheme receives an annual cashless health insurance policy valued at Rs. 5 lakh.
- Comprehensive treatment packages: Beneficiaries have access to 1579 secondary and tertiary medical care service packages across public and accredited private hospitals in Chandigarh and Punjab under AB SSBY.
- Coverage for pre-existing conditions: Pre-existing illnesses are included, with the treatment package encompassing three days of pre-hospitalisation and fifteen days of post-hospitalisation expenses.
- Complimentary COVID-19 treatment: Recipients of the Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojana are entitled to free COVID-19 treatment.
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Coverage under Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojana
There are certain diseases covered under this scheme. Beneficiaries can get treatment for the following:
- Cardiology
- Mental disorder
- General surgery
- Orthopaedics
- Paediatric surgery
- Plastic surgery
- Eye surgery
- General medicine
- Neurosurgery
- Polytrauma
- Radiation oncology
- COVID-19
- Cancer
- Other severe diseases
- MRI and CT scan
Eligibility criteria for Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojana
According to the official website, the Ayushman Bharat - Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojna (AB-SSBY) currently provides coverage to lakh of families, comprising various categories such as:
- You must be a resident of Punjab.
- Families identified based on data from SECC 2011.
- Families holding ration cards.
- Farmers possessing J-forms.
- Small traders registered with the Excise & Taxation Department.
- Small and marginal farmers.
- Accredited journalists holding yellow cards.
- Construction workers registered with the Punjab Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board.
Registration process for AB-SSBY (Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojana)
Eligible people can follow the steps given below:
Step 1: Locate the nearest center within your city.
Step 2: Approach the officials at the center and request the application form.
Step 3: Complete the form accurately and attach the required supporting documents.
Step 4: Submit the filled-in form along with the supporting documents to the officials.
Step 5: If applicable, make the necessary payment for the service charges.
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Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojana empanelled hospitals
Below is a detailed procedure for accessing the list of hospitals affiliated with the Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojana:
Step 1: Start by visiting the official web portal of the State Health Agency, Punjab.
Step 2: Navigate to the 'Hospitals' section and click on it.
Step 3: Choose the option labeled 'Empanelled Hospitals.'
Step 4: On the subsequent page, furnish the requested information such as the hospital type, district name, and specialty.
Step 5: Proceed by clicking the 'Search' button.
Step 6: The screen will then display all relevant details pertaining to the hospitals.
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Types of beneficiaries under Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojana
Given below are the types of beneficiaries covered under the Sarbat Sehmat Bima Yojana.
- NFSA (National Food Security Act) ration card holders
- Marginal and small farmers
- Small traders under the Excise and Taxation Department, Punja
- Construction workers
- J-Form holder farmers
- Accredited journalists holding yellow cards
Overall, the scheme aims to benefit the economically backward section of the society by providing accessible and affordable health care services.
