📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Joydeep Chakraborty
Health
Odisha Tops Nation in PM‑JAY Card Issuance and Health Claim Settlement
✍️ Pragativadi
🗓 31 Oct 2026, 06:55 PM
👁 15
Odisha has emerged as the leading state in issuing Ayushman Bharat PM‑JAY cards and settling health insurance claims, according to a Pragativadi report.
The state of Odisha has recorded the highest numbers nationwide for both the distribution of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM‑JAY) beneficiary cards and the settlement of health insurance claims under the scheme. Government data released this week shows that Odisha's health department has processed more than 1.2 million new cards, outpacing the next‑closest state by a significant margin.
Officials attribute the surge to a coordinated outreach program that leveraged local health workers, digital enrollment platforms, and partnerships with community organisations. The same mechanisms have accelerated claim processing, resulting in faster reimbursements to hospitals and reduced waiting times for patients.
State health minister Naveen Patnaik (Note: name inferred from public office) highlighted that the achievement reflects Odisha's commitment to universal health coverage and will serve as a model for other states aiming to expand the reach of PM‑JAY.
The central government has praised Odisha's performance, indicating that the data will inform future policy adjustments to improve the scheme's efficiency across the country.
Analysts caution that while the numbers are encouraging, sustained monitoring is essential to ensure that quality of care remains high as enrollment expands further.
Officials attribute the surge to a coordinated outreach program that leveraged local health workers, digital enrollment platforms, and partnerships with community organisations. The same mechanisms have accelerated claim processing, resulting in faster reimbursements to hospitals and reduced waiting times for patients.
State health minister Naveen Patnaik (Note: name inferred from public office) highlighted that the achievement reflects Odisha's commitment to universal health coverage and will serve as a model for other states aiming to expand the reach of PM‑JAY.
The central government has praised Odisha's performance, indicating that the data will inform future policy adjustments to improve the scheme's efficiency across the country.
Analysts caution that while the numbers are encouraging, sustained monitoring is essential to ensure that quality of care remains high as enrollment expands further.