Chiranjeevi Yojana (Mukhyamantri Chiranjeevi Swasthya Bima Yojana) is a health insurance scheme introduced by the Rajasthan Government, providing cashless treatment of up to ₹10 lakh per family per year in government and empanelled private hospitals.
The primary objective of this scheme is to ensure affordable and accessible healthcare for all families, particularly those from low-income and vulnerable backgrounds.
By shielding them from the financial burden of expensive medical treatments and reducing health inequalities.
Benefits:
- Free health insurance up to ₹10 lakh per family.
- Cashless treatment in government & private hospitals.
- Coverage for major diseases, accidents, and COVID-19.
- Free medicines, tests, and hospitalization.
- Free for BPL families and small farmers; minimal premium for others.
Key Features of the Scheme
1. Health Insurance Coverage: ₹10 lakh per family per year.
2. Cashless Treatment: Available at government and empaneled private hospitals.
3. Wide Coverage: Includes surgeries, critical illnesses (heart, kidney, liver, cancer), COVID-19, and accidents.
4. Free Medicines & Tests: Hospitalization, lab tests, and prescribed medicines are covered.
5. Inclusive Access: Free for BPL families, small and marginal farmers; nominal premium for other households.
6. Statewide Network: Benefits available across Rajasthan in the listed hospitals.
Eligibility Criteria
| Eligibility Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Residency | Must be a permanent resident of Rajasthan |
| BPL Families | Families listed under Below Poverty Line get free coverage |
| Small & Marginal Farmers | Eligible for free health insurance |
| Other Families | Can enroll by paying a nominal annual premium |
| Government Recognized Beneficiaries | Families in SECC list or other state welfare schemes are eligible |
| Documents Required | Aadhaar card, residence proof, bank details, passport-size photo, etc. |
Registration Process
Step 1. Visit the official Rajasthan SSO Portal: sso.rajasthan.gov.in.
Step 2. Log in with your SSO ID. If you don’t have one, create a new ID.
Step 3. Select the Chiranjeevi Yojana option from the list of schemes.
Step 4. Fill in your personal, family, and bank details.
Step 5. Upload the required documents (Aadhaar card, residence proof, bank details, passport-size photo, etc.).
Step 6. Submit the form and save the acknowledgment/registration number for future use.
Step 7. If you are not able to register online, you can also apply through your nearest e-Mitra center.
Challenges and Limitations
- Lack of awareness in rural areas leads to underutilization of the scheme.
- Technical difficulties during online registration create hurdles for less tech-savvy citizens.
- Limited availability of empaneled hospitals in remote areas reduces accessibility.
- Complaints of poor service quality, delays, or denial of cashless treatment in some hospitals.
- Claim settlement delays between hospitals and the government affect smooth operation.
- Not all treatments and procedures are covered, leading to out-of-pocket expenses.
- Insufficient monitoring and transparency allow scope for misuse by certain hospitals.
Government Initiatives to Improve the Scheme
1. Increased Sum Insured / Coverage: The cover under the scheme has been raised from ₹10 lakh per family to ₹25 lakh per family.
2. Inclusion of Additional Accident Cover: Apart from health insurance, extra coverage for accidents has been included to provide more comprehensive protection.
3. Expanded Package of Treatments: A much wider range of medical procedures (including critical & specialized treatments) are now covered under the scheme. There are 1,700-odd treatment packages (or more) available.
4. Low Premium for Those Outside Free Category: For families not eligible for free coverage (such as those not below the poverty line), a relatively affordable annual premium has been structured so that more people can opt in.
5. Renaming and Rationalisation: The scheme was renamed from Mukhyamantri Chiranjeevi Swasthya Bima Yojana to Mukhyamantri Ayushman Arogya Yojana to reflect broader objectives/expansion. Rate rationalizations of packages have also been proposed.
6. Use of Administrative Data for Eligibility: Eligibility is made easier through databases such as SECC (Socio-Economic Caste Census), NFSA (National Food Security Act), and Jan Aadhaar, which help identify needy families for free coverage.
7. Focus on Cashless Treatment & Empaneled Hospitals: Expansion of government & private hospitals empaneled under the scheme to ensure that beneficiaries have more accessible options for cashless treatment.
Conclusion
The Chiranjeevi Yojana is a landmark health insurance scheme of Rajasthan that provides cashless treatment and financial security, ensuring affordable healthcare for every family, especially the poor and vulnerable.
