Dental treatment cover under Mahatma Phule Jan Aarogya Yojana: Minister Tanaji Sawant

Maharashtra: Public Health Minister Tanaji Sawant announced on Monday that dental treatment will now be covered under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya and Mahatma Phule Jan Aarogya schemes. This significant expansion of coverage aims to provide comprehensive medical services, including dental care, free of cost at government-recognized hospitals. 

The state public health minister made the announcement while responding to a question from legislator Satyajeet Tambe in the state legislative council.

This expansion broadens the coverage of the two schemes that provide a wide range of medical treatments free of cost at government-recognised hospitals.

The state government is also working on developing an anti-fraud application to prevent hospitals from submitting bogus bills, he said.

Lauding Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and the state government, Tambe said the scheme cover was extended up to Rs 5 lakh without any restrictions on the person availing its benefits. “As a result, from poor to rich, everyone has reaped the benefits,” he said. 

As per a media report in The Indian Express, While responding to Tambe’s questions, health minister Tanaji Sawant said, “The Mahatma Phule Jan Arogya Yojana initially covered 1,000 hospitals. The health cover under the scheme has been increased from Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 5 lakh. The conditions for availing scheme benefits have also been removed. Earlier, 1,356 treatments were included in this scheme. Hereon, dental treatments will also be included. Additionally, hospitals will be set up in the 137 talukas immediately where there are no hospitals.” 

The scheme extends coverage to the entire population of Maharashtra, offering health insurance up to Rs. 5 lakh per family per year. This coverage specifically includes secondary and tertiary healthcare services that necessitate hospitalization.