Chandigarh: In a significant step towards strengthening public healthcare access, the Punjab government has launched the registration drive for its new Health Card Scheme, promising free medical treatment up to Rs 10 lakh per year for every family in the state.
The scheme kicked off today with registration camps set up in Tarn Taran and Barnala, where a total of 128 registration camps have been deployed to facilitate easy enrollment. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced that the registration process will be completed in the next 10 to 15 days, after which the scheme will be expanded to cover all districts of Punjab.
Unlike previous health initiatives that required categorization under income brackets or ration card systems, this new scheme is universal, allowing every resident of Punjab to be eligible. Each household will receive a health card granting access to a wide range of medical services — including major surgeries, critical illness treatments, and advanced procedures — without any out-of-pocket expenditure.
The registration process has been designed to be straightforward. Residents need only to provide an Aadhaar card or Voter ID, along with a passport-sized photograph, at the designated camps to get enrolled. No income proof or complex paperwork is necessary.
What sets this scheme apart is the coverage limit. While previous central and state-run health programs offered benefits typically capped at Rs 5 lakh per family, Punjab’s Health Card Scheme doubles that coverage, ensuring up to Rs 10 lakh in cashless treatment annually. This enhancement is expected to provide critical financial relief, particularly for middle and lower-income families who often struggle with high medical bills.
Health services under the scheme will be available in both government and private hospitals, making it accessible to a wider population. While the government hospitals are automatically included, a list of empanelled private hospitals eligible to provide treatment under the scheme will be released shortly.
According to Chief Minister Mann, the scheme aims to cover nearly all illnesses, including chronic and life-threatening conditions. Though a formal list of covered diseases is awaited, officials have indicated that most common and complex health issues will be addressed under the plan.
Importantly, the scheme functions on a cashless basis — beneficiaries will not be required to pay upfront or file for reimbursement later. Once registered, patients can simply use their health card to receive treatment at any participating facility.
The initiative reflects the government’s larger vision to make quality healthcare universally accessible, reduce the financial burden of medical emergencies, and eliminate the gap between public and private healthcare access. With its launch, Punjab becomes one of the few states in the country to offer such a comprehensive health insurance program at no cost to its citizens.
As registration expands to more districts in the coming weeks, residents are encouraged to take advantage of the scheme and secure their family’s health cover by visiting the nearest enrollment camp.
