What this scheme offers
Running since 2016 and expanded to cover every West Bengal resident regardless of caste, religion or profession from 1 December 2020, Swasthya Sathi provides cashless coverage for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation — including pre-existing conditions — up to ₹5 lakh per family per year, at 2,290+ empanelled hospitals. In mid-2026, the state's health insurance structure was restructured: Swasthya Sathi now serves as the foundational platform integrated with the central Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY scheme. For residents who are Swasthya Sathi beneficiaries but don't meet PM-JAY's central eligibility criteria, a new scheme — the Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana (MMSBY), announced 28 July 2026 — provides equivalent ₹5 lakh cashless coverage, extending treatment access to hospitals across India, not just within West Bengal.
Who is eligible
- Swasthya Sathi (base scheme): Every resident of West Bengal, regardless of income, caste, religion or profession — including SHG members, ASHA and ICDS workers, civil defence and civic volunteers, and certain contractual employees.
- MMSBY (the newer complementary layer): Permanent West Bengal residents enrolled in Swasthya Sathi who are not covered under central Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY, with household income not exceeding ₹8 lakh/year, and not already covered under WBHS (2008), CGHS, or ESI.
Documents required
- Aadhaar card
- Residence proof (West Bengal)
- Family details for the health card
- Income proof, where relevant to MMSBY eligibility
How to apply
- Register for a Swasthya Sathi card at a Duare Sarkar camp, your local Block/Municipal office, or online at swasthyasathi.gov.in — most West Bengal residents are already enrolled given the scheme's universal coverage.
- Once your Swasthya Sathi card is issued, treatment at empanelled hospitals is cashless for eligible conditions and procedures.
- For MMSBY specifically, watch for the official enrolment announcement — as of this writing, the state government had issued the implementation notification but had not yet released the full registration process; eligible Swasthya Sathi beneficiaries not covered by PM-JAY should check swasthyasathi.gov.in for updates.
- Once enrolled, present your Swasthya Sathi or MMSBY card at any empanelled hospital for cashless treatment.