National Health Authority has been providing necessary support to States/UTs for ensuring free COVID-19 testing and treatment to all eligible beneficiaries under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan ArogyaYojana (AB-PMJAY).Public Health being a State subject, response to COVID-19 pandemic is primarily directed by State Governments.

When COVID-19 pandemic started, initially existing treatment packages were used for providing COVID related treatment. Later, special packages for treatment and testing of COVID-19 were introduced. Many State Governments decided to make COVID-19 testing & treatment free for all residents. While some of them used Ayushman Bharat PMJAY ecosystem including the NHA’s IT platform, others used their own IT systems. Therefore, COVID-19 treatments have been captured in both general and COVID-19 specific packages of AB-PMJAY.

As of 15th November 2021, with respect to transactions recorded on NHA IT platform as well as the information shared by the States/UTs using their own IT systems, approximately 8.3 Lakh hospital admissions have been authorized for the treatment of COVID-19. Out of these 8.3 Lakh hospital admissions, approximately 4.7 Lakh have been authorized in empanelled private hospitals under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan ArogyaYojana (AB-PMJAY).

10.74 crore poor and vulnerable families identified on the basis of SECC 2011 data are entitled to receive free treatment under AB-PMJAY. However, treatment is free for all in public hospitals.

The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.