West Bengal Launches Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana for Health Coverage

West Bengal launched Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana to provide health insurance for residents who cannot apply for Ayushman Bharat. This new scheme replaces Swasthya Sathi and offers cashless coverage up to ₹5 lakh each year for eligible families.

Scheme coverage and rules

The scheme rolled out on 16 August 2026 along with Ayushman Bharat. Benefits can now be used at empanelled hospitals across India, and health card distribution started on 1 September 2026. To qualify, you must be a permanent resident of West Bengal. You cannot currently have coverage through West Bengal Health Scheme 2008, CGHS, or ESI. Families earning over ₹8 lakh a year or those getting medical allowances are not eligible.

The application process is online. You need Aadhaar-based biometric verification and an ABHA ID for hospital visits. Although the plan covers pre-existing conditions, senior citizens over 70 years old are excluded from this phase of the scheme.