Maharashtra expands cashless treatment, covers surgeries above Rs 5 lakh

Mumbai: The Maharashtra government has expanded the coverage of its public healthcare schemes, announcing that it will now cover the full cost of major surgeries exceeding Rs 5 lakh. 

The move has been formalised through a Government Resolution issued by the Public Health Department.

According to an UNI report, under the expanded framework of the Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Jan Arogya Yojana and the Ayushman Bharat–Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, several high-end procedures will now be covered. These include complex surgeries such as heart, liver, and lung transplants, bone marrow transplants, and heart valve implantations, making them accessible to economically weaker sections either free of cost or through full government support.

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The revised system also simplifies the process for patients. Instead of visiting multiple offices, hospitals will now be responsible for submitting proposals and required documents on behalf of beneficiaries. While the process is currently offline, authorities have indicated plans to shift it to a fully online system to improve efficiency. 

To qualify for the scheme, applicants must be residents of Maharashtra and furnish essential identification documents, including a ration card and an Aadhaar card. The entire process has been made cashless, ensuring that neither patients nor their families are required to make any payments. Once approved, the funds will be directly transferred to the hospital’s bank account.  

To be transparent and speed up approvals, the government has set up dedicated committees. A Medical and Fund Approval Committee will convene every Friday to review and sanction proposals promptly.

Public Health Minister Prakash Abitkar said that beneficiaries under both schemes would now be eligible for treatments costing above ₹5 lakh. He emphasised that a structured procedure has been put in place to ensure that no underprivileged patient is denied critical medical care due to financial constraints, reports UNI. 

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