Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana Punjab 2026: Rs. 10 Lakh Health Card, Registration, Hospital List & How to Use It

A medical emergency in Punjab used to mean two crises at once — the health one and the financial one. Private hospital bills can clear out a family's savings in days, and most households had no safety net beyond personal loans or selling assets. The Punjab Government addressed this directly when it upgraded its flagship health scheme in January 2026, merging the older Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojana (SSBY) into a single, universal programme called the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana (MMSY). The coverage doubled to Rs.10 lakh per family per year, the income restrictions were removed entirely, and every bonafide resident of Punjab became eligible.

By the end of this article, you will know exactly what MNSSBY covers, who qualifies, how to get the Sehat Card, and what to do when you actually need to use it at a hospital. This guide covers everything from eligibility and benefits to registration, hospital list, how MMSY works with Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY, and what is not covered under the scheme.

What Is Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana (MNSSBY) and Why Did It Replace SSBY?

The scheme's origins go back to August 2019, when Punjab launched the Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojana in partnership with the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY framework. At that time, the coverage was Rs.5 lakh per family per year, and eligibility was tied to specific categories — SECC 2011 database families, Smart Ration Card holders, J-form farmer families, small traders, construction workers, and journalists. Over 35 lakh families received e-cards and claims worth over Rs.2,227 crore were processed under that framework.

The problem, however, was the gaps. A large section of Punjab's working population (salaried private sector employees, self-employed professionals, pensioners without adequate medical cover) did not fit neatly into those categories. Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY, being pegged to the SECC 2011 census data, left out millions who had moved past the poverty threshold but still could not afford quality private healthcare.

The upgraded MMSY fixes that. In July 2025, the Punjab Government approved the revamped scheme, and statewide rollout began on 22nd January 2026. Today, SSBY has been fully merged into MMSY. The coverage is Rs. 10 lakh per family per year, eligibility is universal for all Punjab residents, and the network covers government hospitals as well as over 900 empanelled private hospitals across the state and Chandigarh. PM-JAY-eligible families additionally retain their pan-India cashless benefits for the first Rs. 5 lakh under the central scheme.

MNSSBY Benefits at a Glance: What the Rs. 10 Lakh Cover Actually Includes

The number Rs. 10 lakh sounds reassuring, but what matters is what it covers in practice. Here is what the scheme actually delivers once you have your Sehat Card.

Note: For PM-JAY-eligible families, the central and state government share the premium in a 60:40 ratio. For other MMSY beneficiaries who are not in the PM-JAY database, the Punjab Government bears the full premium cost.

The scheme operates on Health Benefit Packages (HBP) 2.2, which means treatment is priced at fixed package rates, the hospital cannot charge variable amounts depending on the patient or procedure. The list of covered procedures includes cardiac surgery, cancer treatment, neurosurgery, kidney dialysis and transplantation, orthopaedics, burns management, and neonatal care, among others.

Seventeen new procedures were also recently added to the private hospital list under the expanded scheme. These include ENT procedures such as nasal bone fracture reduction and adenoidectomy, and general surgery procedures including hydrocele surgery, appendectomy, abscess treatment, and open and laparoscopic gallbladder surgeries. Package rates for these newly approved procedures have been capped between Rs. 2,000 and Rs. 27,800.

Who Is Eligible for the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana Health Card?

This is where MMSY stands apart from most welfare schemes. The eligibility criteria are deliberately broad, and the Punjab Government has been adding new categories with each revision.

Core Eligibility:
All permanent residents of Punjab are eligible. There is no income ceiling and no age restriction. The requirement is simply that you are a bonafide resident of the state.

Additionally Covered

• Government employees and Punjab Government pensioners

• Senior citizens residing in Punjab

• Individuals living alone (single-member households)

• Parents whose children have permanently settled abroad

The last two categories were added specifically because these individuals often have no family support system during medical emergencies. Senior citizens and single-person households are among the most financially vulnerable during hospitalisation, and including them without any income condition is a meaningful policy decision.

Note: Beneficiaries must possess a valid Aadhaar Card and reside in Punjab. Eligibility can be checked online at sha.punjab.gov.in before visiting a registration centre.

Documents Required for MNSSBY Registration

The registration process does not demand an extensive document list, but having everything in order before you visit a CSC will save time. Carry the following:

• Aadhaar Card of the applicant and all family members to be enrolled

• Voter Identity Card (EPIC)

• Mobile number linked to Aadhaar

• Ration Card or Family ID (Parivar Pehchaan Patra), if applicable

• Recent passport-size photograph

• Proof of Punjab residence

For specific categories, additional documents may apply. Senior citizens need age proof such as Aadhaar or Voter ID showing date of birth. For parents whose children are settled abroad, the State Health Agency may ask for supporting documentation at the time of registration. Children can be enrolled using their birth certificate and parents' identity documents.

How to Register and Get Your Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana Sehat Card

The Punjab Government has set up a field-level registration mechanism where Sehat Mitras are assigned to visit households and issue appointment slips. Once you have that slip, the actual enrollment happens at your nearest Common Service Centre (CSC) or Sewa Kendra.

Step-by-Step Registration Process

Step 1: A government-assigned Sehat Mitra may contact you and provide an appointment slip for registration at a nearby CSC or Sewa Kendra.

Step 2: If you have not received a visit, you can directly approach your nearest CSC or Sewa Kendra with your documents.

Step 3: At the centre, the operator will verify your Aadhaar, cross-check eligibility in the scheme database, and complete the enrollment.

Step 4: After successful verification, you will receive a confirmation SMS on your Aadhaar-linked mobile number.

Step 5: The Sehat Card is printed and distributed through the designated CSC, generally within 2 to 3 weeks of successful enrollment.

Step 6: Collect the card from the CSC where registration was done.

Registration is primarily being facilitated through Common Service Centres (CSCs), Sewa Kendras and special enrolment drives. Beneficiaries should verify the latest registration and card-access facilities through the State Health Agency (SHA) Punjab portal or helpline 104, as operational processes may evolve.
For eligibility check before registration: Visit sha.punjab.gov.in and navigate to the Beneficiary Search section to verify whether your family is already enrolled in the system.

How to Use the Sehat Card at Empanelled Hospitals

Using the Sehat Card — Step by Step
Getting the card is one thing. Using it correctly during a stressful hospital visit is another. The process itself is straightforward.
When you or a family member requires hospitalisation, visit any empanelled hospital under the MMSY network. At the hospital's help desk or registration counter, present the Sehat Card along with a valid photo identity document. The hospital staff will digitally verify your identity and eligibility through the State Health Agency portal. Once verification is confirmed, you can proceed with admission and treatment without paying anything upfront.
The approved treatment cost is settled directly between the hospital and the State Health Agency, Punjab. You do not handle any money for procedures covered under the scheme. This cashless settlement applies within the coverage limit of Rs. 10 lakh for that family in that financial year.
A few things to keep in mind. Always confirm that the hospital is currently empanelled before seeking treatment, because the list is updated periodically and some hospitals may have been removed or added. Carry the Sehat Card and an Aadhaar Card every time you visit. For planned procedures, you can contact the hospital's insurance help desk in advance to confirm coverage under the scheme.

Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana Hospital List and How to Find Empanelled Hospitals

Over 900 government and private hospitals across Punjab and Chandigarh are currently empanelled under the scheme. The complete list is maintained by the State Health Agency and is updated regularly.

To access the hospital list:

Step 1: Visit the official Punjab State Health Agency portal at sha.punjab.gov.in.

Step 2: Navigate to the Hospitals section on the website.

Step 3: Select Empanelled Hospitals to view or download the PDF list.

Step 4: Filter by district and confirm the hospital's address and current status before visiting.

You can also call the MNSSBY helpline at 104 to ask for empanelled hospitals in your area or district. For urgent situations, this is often faster than navigating the portal.
Major government hospitals (district hospitals, civil hospitals, and medical college hospitals across Punjab) are part of the network. Several major private hospital chains in cities like Ludhiana, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Patiala, and Chandigarh are also empanelled.

MNSSBY vs Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY — How They Work Together

If your family is already in the PM-JAY database, you benefit from both schemes rather than having to choose. Here is how they layer.

For PM-JAY-eligible families, the first Rs.5 lakh of claims can be made under the central scheme, which also works at empanelled hospitals across other states. The remaining Rs.5 lakh (or full Rs.10 lakh for non-PM-JAY families) falls under MMSY, valid at hospitals empanelled in Punjab and Chandigarh.
For families not in the PM-JAY database, MMSY is the primary and only government health cover — making it significantly more important to have the Sehat Card in order.

Does MNSSBY Cover Everything? The Gaps You Should Know About

Government health schemes are safety nets, not substitutes for comprehensive health cover. The MMSY covers specific packages at fixed rates, which means not every treatment, hospital, or specialist falls within its scope. Non-empanelled private hospitals, premium specialist consultations, and certain elective procedures may not be covered.

If your preferred hospital is not empanelled, or if you need treatment outside Punjab, MMSY does not apply. The Rs. 10 lakh annual limit is also a family floater, so a single high-cost treatment for one member could exhaust the annual cover for the rest of the family.

Thinking about supplementing your MMSY coverage with a private health insurance plan? Our advisors at SMC Insurance can help you identify a top-up or super top-up policy that works alongside your government cover and ensures you are not left exposed when the scheme limits run out. Visit SMC Insuranceto speak with an expert.

Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana Punjab Statistics (2026)

The scheme is ongoing and figures are updated by the State Health Agency Punjab.

Note: Enrollment figures include families registered under both the earlier SSBY and the upgraded MMSY. The scheme is ongoing and figures are updated by the State Health Agency Punjab.

Summing Up

The Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana is one of the more substantive expansions to public healthcare access that Punjab has undertaken. By removing income limits, doubling the cover to Rs.10 lakh, and extending eligibility to senior citizens, single-person households, and parents with children abroad, the scheme has moved closer to genuine universal coverage than most state schemes in India. If you live in Punjab and do not yet have a Sehat Card, the registration process is simple and free — visit your nearest CSC with your Aadhaar, and the card follows within a few weeks.

That said, a government scheme alone rarely covers the full picture. MMSY works only at empanelled hospitals, covers fixed packages, and resets at Rs. 10 lakh per year per family. For larger families with specific healthcare needs, or for anyone who values the flexibility of choosing their own hospital, a private health insurance plan (or even a top-up policy over the government base) remains worth considering. For help understanding where your current coverage ends and where a private plan can fill the gap, visit SMC Insurance or read more in our guide on Government Health Insurance for Senior Citizens.

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