Punjab Expands Health Cover To Senior Citizens Living Alone, Parents Of Children Abroad
Punjab Expands Health Cover To Senior Citizens Living Alone, Parents Of Children Abroad Published By, Last Updated: June 04, 2026, 20:27 IST Until now, the
Punjab Expands Health Cover To Senior Citizens Living Alone, Parents Of Children Abroad Published By, Last Updated: June 04, 2026, 20:27 IST Until now, the scheme largely covered families with at least two members. Under the revised guidelines, individuals living independently can enroll and avail of cashless benefits. Rapid Read The Punjab government has widened eligibility under its flagship health insurance scheme and approved 17 additional procedures at empanelled private hospitals to improve access to cashless treatment. (IMAGE: SOURCED) The Punjab Government on Thursday expanded the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana (MMSY), extending cashless health insurance coverage to people living alone, including senior citizens, widows and other independent residents, while also allowing 17 additional medical procedures to be carried out at empanelled private hospitals. Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh said the scheme will now cover parents whose children have settled abroad, a category that was previously not eligible under the programme.
Until now, the scheme largely covered families with at least two members. Under the revised guidelines, individuals living independently can also enrol and avail of cashless treatment benefits. In another significant change, 17 medical procedures that were previously restricted to government hospitals can now be performed at empanelled private hospitals under the scheme. The newly approved procedures span multiple specialities, including ENT, general surgery, orthopaedics, ophthalmology and women’s healthcare. The government said the move is expected to reduce pressure on major government hospitals, improve access to specialised treatment and help patients receive care closer to their homes. Dr Balbir Singh said expanding access to private healthcare facilities would shorten waiting periods and improve treatment availability, particularly in districts where specialised services are limited. According to the State Health Agency, nearly 65 lakh families are currently covered under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana.
Treatment is available across 824 government and empanelled private hospitals, covering nearly 2,300 diseases and medical procedures. Applicants seeking enrolment under the expanded eligibility criteria will be required to provide valid Punjab Aadhaar and voter identity cards, while those below 18 years of age must submit birth certificates. Individuals living alone will also have to furnish a declaration that will be verified before approval. The Punjab Government said the expansion is aimed at broadening access to healthcare and ensuring that more residents can avail of cashless treatment under the state’s flagship health insurance programme. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author Shankhyaneel Sarkar Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses.
He has over five years of experience during which he has c... Read More First Published: June 04, 2026, 20:27 IST News cities chandigarh Punjab Expands Health Cover To Senior Citizens Living Alone, Parents Of Children Abroad Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
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