The Arunachal Pradesh government has provided cashless health coverage to state pensioners under the Chief Minister Arogya Arunachal Yojana (CMAAY), worth up to Rs 5 lakh per family annually, which is a huge relief for retired government personnel. The decision was made earlier this year during the Chief Minister Arogya Arunachal Society’s second governing body meeting, which was presided over by Chief Minister Pema Khandu. The action will guarantee that people who have devoted their lives to public service continue to get full healthcare benefits after they retire, according to officials.
A recent notification states that retirees might choose to voluntarily join the program, and their treatment entitlement will be based on their most recent pay scale, which was drawn at the time of retirement. Data on 11,415 state pensioners from June 2018 to the present has already been exchanged by the Directorate of Audit and Pension with the State Health Agency and CMAA Society for system integration. Recipients can upload pertinent documents online and use their Pensioner ID (PPO number) to confirm their eligibility. According to officials, older individuals over 70 years old will be eligible for the Ayushman Vay Vandana Scheme (VVS), which was approved by the Center in September 2024, under the enhanced Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY).
According to them, this gives recipients access to cashless care at about 30,000 affiliated hospitals across the country, up to Rs 5 lakh each year. Officials made it clear, though, that dual coverage will not be allowed. Seniors and pensioners are forced to choose between the centrally sponsored PM-JAY program or the state-run CMAAY program. Seniors who sign up for VVS can use the Ayushman app or Aadhaar at hospitals that have partnered to create their Ayushman cards. CMAAY, a flagship program of the state’s Health and Family Welfare department, was introduced on August 15, 2018.
