Pune adds 104 private hospitals to Govt Health Schemes

Pune: Pune district has added 104 private hospitals to the state’s flagship health insurance schemes — Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana (MJPJAY) and the central government’s Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) — within just six months. This expansion has nearly doubled the number of empanelled hospitals, health officials said on Tuesday.

The Public Health Department launched a state-wide drive in January 2025 to expand the network of hospitals empanelled under the two schemes, which provide citizens with free or cashless treatment for various medical procedures and surgeries. Since the campaign began, the number of empanelled hospitals in Pune district has grown from 98 to 202, officials said.

The MJPJAY scheme, originally launched in 2012 and revamped in 2023, now offers universal coverage with increased treatment limits rising from ₹1.5 lakh to ₹5 lakh per year. The PM-JAY scheme similarly provides coverage up to ₹5 lakh annually per family. Across Maharashtra, there are currently 1,359 private and 672 government hospitals empanelled under the two schemes, covering 1,352 health procedures.

Medical Dialogues had previously reported that the orthopaedics department at Indira Gandhi Government Medical College and Hospital (IGGMCH), also known as Mayo Hospital in Nagpur, has set a remarkable example among government hospitals by delivering high-quality treatment while maintaining financial sustainability. Over the past year, the Hospital generated approximately Rs. 3.64 crore in revenue through surgeries performed under the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana (MJPJAY).

Also Read: IGGMCH Orthopedics Dept performs over 1000 surgeries in a year, Generates Rs 3.64 Crore

Dr Priti Lokhande, district coordinator of MJPJAY and PMJAY, said that the newly added 104 hospitals include private hospitals and medical colleges with 30 beds to 200 beds. “With a larger number of hospitals getting empanelled, specialised and emergency healthcare will become more accessible to people, especially in semi-urban and rural areas. Twenty-five other hospitals are also in the process of getting empanelled,” she said, reports the Hindustan Times.

Speaking to Hindustan Times, Dr Nagnath Yempalle, district civil surgeon, said that beneficiaries can avail treatment for a wide range of illnesses, surgeries, and procedures without bearing the financial burden. “The state health department plans to keep up the drive to ensure that people have more choices for treatment nearer home.”

Also Read: Pune hospitals move HC against mandatory enrolment in Govt health schemes

Despite the progress, the expansion drive faces resistance from some quarters. Charitable hospitals in Pune have expressed reluctance to participate in the schemes. Following a Government Resolution (GR) issued on April 21 mandating all charitable hospitals to join the state and central health insurance programmes, the Association of Hospitals (AOH) in Pune filed a writ petition in the Bombay High Court.

The AOH cited financial constraints and practical difficulties as reasons for their opposition to the mandatory inclusion.