ESIC to converge with AB-PMJAY to expand healthcare benefits

The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) is converging with Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY).

This partnership, announced under the guidance of Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, aims to expand healthcare benefits for over 14.43 crore ESIC beneficiaries and their families.

This convergence will allow ESIC beneficiaries to avail of secondary and tertiary medical services at more than 30,000 AB-PMJAY-empanelled hospitals across India.

Notably, there will be no financial ceiling on treatment costs, ensuring that all beneficiaries receive comprehensive medical care without financial barriers.

The collaboration was reviewed on November 26, 2024, by Sumita Dawra, Secretary, Labour & Employment, Government of India.

ESIC’s Director General, Ashok Kumar Singh, confirmed that the initiative will also extend to charitable hospitals, which will be empanelled for treatment, further increasing access.

Under the existing ESIC framework, medical care is already provided through 165 hospitals, 1590 dispensaries, and 2900 private hospitals.

The ESIC scheme has expanded significantly over the past decade, now covering 687 districts out of 788 in India.

On the other hand, Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) is one of the world’s largest health insurance schemes. It aims to provide accessible and affordable healthcare to economically disadvantaged families in India.

With the aim of improving healthcare infrastructure, PMJAY empowers individuals to access free medical services at over 30,000 empanelled hospitals nationwide. CNBC-TV18