Ayushman Bharat Coverage Expanded In Bihar; Liver Failure, Liver Cancer Treatment Added, Package Rates Hiked

The Bihar government has expanded the scope of treatment under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) and the Mukhyamantri Jan Arogya Yojana, bringing major relief to patients suffering from serious and complex illnesses. For the first time, treatment for liver failure and liver cancer has been included under the scheme.

In addition, new specialist services such as interventional radiology and palliative care have been incorporated, enabling access to advanced and non-surgical treatment options for critical patients. Palliative care services will offer pain management, psychological support, and quality-of-life improvement for patients suffering from cancer and terminal illnesses.

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According to the State Health Security Committee, package rates under the Ayushman Bharat scheme have also been revised upward by 30-35 per cent. The revision aims to align reimbursement rates with the actual cost of treatment, encouraging greater participation from private and public hospitals and ensuring better healthcare services for beneficiaries. The long-pending demand for rate revision has now been addressed.

Under the revised structure, complex diseases can be treated through interventional radiology without major surgery, reducing recovery time and risk. The new rates will be implemented under Package 2022, replacing the earlier Health Benefit Package 2.1.

The coverage of the scheme in Bihar continues to expand steadily. So far, 1.65 crore families have been covered under PM-JAY and the Mukhyamantri Jan Arogya Yojana, benefiting over 4.13 crore eligible individuals through Ayushman cards. With this, Bihar has emerged as a leading state among large states in terms of health insurance coverage.

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Shashank Shekhar Sinha, Chief Executive Officer of the State Health Security Committee, said the objective of the scheme is to free poor and deprived sections from the financial burden of treating serious diseases. He added that the inclusion of new illnesses and services, along with higher package rates, will improve hospital quality and ensure timely treatment for patients.

A glance at some important changes in package rates-