Guwahati: The Assam government has introduced a cashless treatment facility under its flagship health scheme, extending benefits to lakhs of government employees, pensioners, and their dependents.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched the new feature of the ‘Ayushman Asom Mukhya Mantri Lok Sevak Arogya Yojana’ (AA-MMLSAY) on Wednesday.
With this rollout, beneficiaries can now avail cashless medical treatment not only in empanelled hospitals within Assam but also in leading corporate hospitals across India.
Previously, the scheme — launched in 2023 — provided healthcare support only through a reimbursement system, requiring beneficiaries to pay upfront before claiming expenses.
“The previous policy required employees to bear the treatment costs upfront and seek reimbursement later. For serious ailments such as liver or kidney transplants, arranging such large amounts was often unfeasible. After extensive consultations with employees, we revised the scheme based on their feedback,” Chief Minister Sarma said.
He said beneficiaries would be able to choose between the traditional reimbursement model and the new cashless system.
All state medical colleges, hospitals under the Assam Cancer Care Foundation, the Dr B Borooah Cancer Institute, GNRC, Down Town Hospital, Medanta Hospital (Gurgaon), Max Healthcare, and Srimanta Sankaradeva Netralaya have been empanelled for cashless treatment.
“Now, employees and pensioners can receive treatment first without worrying about funds. To ensure that no employee faces inconvenience during the transition, the government has decided to continue the old reimbursement system in parallel,” he added.
The Chief Minister informed that 2,23,826 employees and 6,172 pensioners have registered under the scheme so far, adding that enrolment will remain open at all times for those wishing to join.
“The reimbursements are made as per CGHS rates and the Assam government adopts the revised CGHS rates as soon as they are updated by the central government, ensuring parity in health benefits between central and state government employees,” he added.
ALSO READ: Gauhati University refutes claims of unilateral decision-making on honorary degrees
Sarma pointed out that, unlike Ayushman Bharat Jan Arogya Yojana, which depends on government funding, the MMLSAY is self-sustaining as it is funded through contributions made by employees themselves.
He stated that since the launch of the scheme in October 2023, a total of Rs 65 crore has been reimbursed to employees and pensioners under the scheme.
