Money Can’t Buy Health, But Sehat Card Can Secure It: Clearing Myths Around Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana

Don’t wait for emergency, Bhagwant Mann Govt urges early registration while clearing misconceptions around Sehat Cards & cashless treatment
Chandigarh, April 15, 2026: The Bhagwant Mann Government's Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana (MMSY) has emerged as one of India’s most expansive public healthcare protection schemes, providing universal cashless medical coverage of up to ₹10 lakh per family per year across Punjab.
The scheme has expanded rapidly since rollout, with around 39 lakh Sehat Cards already issued, and enrollment continuing across districts through Camps, CSC Centres, Suvidha Kendra, and Public Entities. According to recent government updates, the programme is designed to cover around 65 lakh families, benefiting nearly 3 crore residents of Punjab.
On this, Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh said, “The Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana is a major step toward financially protected healthcare, enabling families to access critical and life-saving treatment without upfront costs. Residents are encouraged to register early to ensure uninterrupted access to cashless healthcare when needed most.”
The Health Minister informs, “The objective is to move Punjab towards a universal cashless and digitally integrated healthcare ecosystem, thus ensuring that there are no delays in treatment due to financial constraints.”
The scheme integrates more than 2,300 empanelled procedures and provides treatment across more than 850 government and empanelled private hospitals in Punjab and Chandigarh, ensuring wide access to advanced care. Major treatments covered include cardiac procedures, cancer care, dialysis, orthopaedic surgeries such as knee replacements, neonatal care, and long-term chronic disease management, all delivered cashlessly within approved package rates.
As per official data, over 1.09 lakh beneficiaries have already availed treatment worth nearly ₹340 crore under the scheme in the 2026 policy year, reflecting early adoption and utilisation across districts.
The Sehat Card benefits every family in Punjab regardless of caste, religion, gender, or economic background. However, several myths persist that need clarification.
*Myth 1: It is just a continuation of older schemes*
Fact: It is an expanded universal coverage model, increasing benefits from ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh per family annually with broader eligibility.
*Myth 2: Only poor families are eligible*
Fact: It is a universal health programme for all eligible residents.
*Myth 3: Cashless treatment has hidden costs*
Fact: Treatment is fully cashless within approved government package rates, including surgery, diagnostics, hospitalisation, medicines, and post-care at government and empanelled private hospitals.
*Myth 4: It works only in limited hospitals*
Fact: It is valid across hundreds of government and empanelled private hospitals in Punjab and Chandigarh.
*Myth 5: Coverage is symbolic*
Fact: It provides up to ₹10 lakh annual coverage with over 2,300 treatment packages.
*Myth 6: Registration is only for emergencies*
Fact: The Bhagwant Mann government insists on early registration in order to avoid delays during emergencies as verification and card issuance take time.
Families in Punjab are urged to verify eligibility and complete registration at the earliest.