The Assam government has introduced a cashless treatment facility for state employees, pensioners, and their dependents under its flagship health insurance scheme, Ayushman Asom Mukhya Mantri Lok Sevak Arogya Yojana (AA-MMLSAY), Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Wednesday.
The initiative marks a significant upgrade to the scheme launched in 2023, which until now offered only a reimbursement mechanism. With the new feature, beneficiaries can now access medical treatment without making upfront payments at select empanelled hospitals in Assam as well as at leading corporate healthcare institutions across the country.
“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,” Sarma said while launching the initiative.
The chief minister said 2,23,826 employees and 6,172 pensioners have already registered under the scheme, with the registration facility remaining open for new applicants at any time.
“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,” Sarma added.
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He further noted that, unlike the Ayushman Bharat Jan Arogya Yojana that relies on government funding, the state’s MMLSAY scheme is self-sustaining, being financed through contributions from the employees themselves.
Since its launch in October 2023, the government has reimbursed a total of Rs 65 crore under the scheme. “Earlier, the annual expenditure on medical reimbursement stood at around Rs 17-18 crore. The latest figures indicate that the expenditure has nearly doubled, reflecting the expanded coverage and improved efficiency of the system,” Sarma said.
He projected that the total number of beneficiaries could eventually reach between seven and eight lakh. The government, he assured, would continue strengthening and upgrading the scheme to provide comprehensive support to employees during medical emergencies.
The chief minister also announced that the state would soon constitute its own Pay Commission, ensuring that Assam government employees begin receiving benefits concurrently with those granted by the Centre.
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