Media sensitisation programme on AB PM-JAY, CMHIS held in Kohima

Our Correspondent
Kohima | August 20

The need for better coordination between the media fraternity and the Nagaland Health Protection Society (NHPS) to enhance awareness, strengthen outreach and empower communities on Ayushman Bharat–Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) and the Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme (CMHIS) in Nagaland was stressed at a one-day media sensitisation programme held in Kohima on August 20.

The workshop discussed strengthening public awareness through accurate, responsible and effective reporting.

Among other outcomes, the workshop felt the need to have a WhatsApp group for constant contact and frequent updates on the schemes.
The next media sensitisation programme is suggested to be held in Dimapur.

Held under the theme, “Enhancing media awareness and public outreach on AB PM-JAY & CMHIS,” the programme was organised by NHPS, Department of Health & Family Welfare, Nagaland, and attended by media persons from Kohima, Dimapur and Mokokchung.

In his welcome address, Thavaseelan K, CEO, NHPS, appreciated the media’s commitment towards ensuring the dissemination of accurate and timely information to the public.

He highlighted the importance of deepening the collective understanding of AB PM-JAY and CMHIS, including their objectives, operations, implementation processes and the challenges encountered in taking these schemes to the people.

“These are not merely schemes on paper. They are instruments of hope and support for individuals and families who depend on accessible and affordable healthcare. Behind every card issued, every hospitalisation covered, and every benefit delivered, there is a person, a family, and often a story of need and expectation,” he said.

He stressed that no eligible beneficiary should miss out on the benefits due to lack of awareness, adding that the media can be a powerful partner in carrying forward knowledge and awareness to the community.

Overview of benefits under AB PM-JAY, CMHIS
Dr Yingnei Wangnao, Deputy CEO, NHPS, gave an overview of the benefits available under AB PM-JAY and CMHIS.

He explained that beneficiaries under AB PM-JAY and CMHIS-GC (General) are covered with a sum insured of Rs 5 lakh per family per annum on a family-floater basis, while CMHIS-EP (Employees and Pensioners) beneficiaries are entitled to a sum insured of Rs 20 lakh per family per annum.

Government employees may also be eligible for reimbursement of medical expenses beyond the insured amount on a case-to-case basis, subject to the recommendation of the State Medical Board.

The schemes provide free and cashless hospitalisation for a range of medical and surgical treatments requiring secondary and tertiary care, including defined day-care procedures and pre- and post-hospitalisation care.

However, outpatient services and standalone diagnostic tests are not covered. Beneficiaries opting for higher-end implants, prosthetics, pacemakers or other surgical materials beyond the standard package are required to bear the additional cost.

Dr Wangnao also highlighted that CMHIS-GC beneficiaries are entitled to more than 1,950 medical and surgical packages across 27 major clinical specialities, while CMHIS-EP provides benefits similar to those available under the Central Government Health Scheme, including differential room entitlement based on pay grade.

He further explained the empanelled hospital network under the schemes.

AB PM-JAY and CMHIS (General) beneficiaries can avail treatment at empanelled hospitals within Nagaland and across the country, while CMHIS (EP) beneficiaries can avail treatment at empanelled hospitals within and outside the State. He encouraged beneficiaries to verify empanelled hospitals and available treatment packages through the official CMHIS portal before seeking treatment.

Beneficiary eligibility criteria
Talking about the beneficiary eligibility criteria under AB PM-JAY and CMHIS, Livitoli Sukhalu, Deputy CEO, NHPS, said that CMHIS is Nagaland’s flagship health insurance programme, implemented in convergence with the Government of India’s AB PM-JAY.

Every eligible resident must obtain a single PM-JAY-CMHIS Ayushman Card, issued after Aadhaar verification, to access cashless treatment across the empanelled hospital network.

Alongla Aier, Operations Manager, NHPS, highlighted the scheme policy and design.

She said that AB PM-JAY improves access for validated beneficiary families to quality inpatient and day-care surgery for secondary/tertiary care, while CMHIS extends insurance coverage for hospital care to all eligible residents of Nagaland under the converged design.

For AB PM-JAY, eligibility is tied to the national beneficiary framework described in the RFP, including SECC-2011 deprivation/automatically included categories and specified occupational groups.

She said the State design is also linked in the documents to Nagaland SDG Vision 2030 for equitable, affordable and quality healthcare.

CMHIS (EP), she added, applies to government employees and pensioners eligible for Medical Allowance or medical reimbursement, including serving legislators, PSU employees, work-charged staff, pensioners, ex-legislators and their dependents.

The interactive discussion featured panellists Livitoli Sukhalu, Deputy CEO, NHPS; Alongla Aier, Operations Manager, NHPS; Neitshope Sekhamo, BIS Consultant, NHPS; Dr Imlinenla Longchar, Monitoring & Evaluation, NHPS; and Seyievito Denny Kin, IT Support-cum-Data Manager, NHPS.

For assistance, queries or concerns related to the schemes, one can reach out through the toll-free helpline 1800 202 3380. (With inputs from DIPR)