Panel Suggests ₹10 Lakh Health Cover Hike

A Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare has recommended increasing the Ayushman Bharat (AB-PMJAY) health insurance cover to ₹10 lakh per family annually, effectively doubling the current ₹5 lakh limit. This proposal, detailed in the committee's 172nd Report as of July 2026, aims to address escalating medical treatment costs for critical secondary and tertiary care.

The committee cited several reasons for the suggested increase, including the rising expenses associated with advanced medical technologies and prolonged hospital stays. The current ₹5 lakh cap is frequently insufficient for high-cost procedures such as organ transplants, advanced cardiac interventions, and cancer immunotherapy, leading to significant out-of-pocket expenses for families.

Beyond financial coverage, the report outlines administrative reforms to streamline healthcare services. These include a stricter six-hour turnaround time for hospital cashless requests, penalties for delays, and the implementation of AI-powered tracking for faster approvals of standard treatments. Targeted enrolment drives are also planned to boost card registration, especially in remote areas.

To manage the financial implications, a hybrid funding model has been proposed. This involves segregating high-cost surgeries, utilizing centralized healthcare fund pools, negotiating prices with pharmaceutical manufacturers and hospitals, and exploring co-funding partnerships with state governments.

As of July 2026, the official nationwide limit for an Ayushman Card remains ₹5 lakh. However, some states have already implemented higher limits; Gujarat offers ₹10 lakh, and Delhi has provisions for an effective ₹10 lakh cover. Additionally, a distinct top-up cover is available for senior citizens aged 70 and above.