Is Swasthya Sathi Discontinued in West Bengal?
Not completely, as of August 19, 2026.
West Bengal has recently undergone a major change in its government health-insurance system.
The state has now launched Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) along with the new Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana (MMSBY).
However, Swasthya Sathi has not simply stopped overnight. Current reports indicate that Swasthya Sathi is being kept operational during the transition, while beneficiaries are moved into the new health-insurance framework. The plan is for a gradual phase-out after the new arrangements and cards are established.
Therefore, if you currently have a Swasthya Sathi card, you should not assume that the card became invalid immediately on August 16, 2026.
The situation is better described as a transition from Swasthya Sathi to a new two-part health-coverage system.
What changed in West Bengal in August 2026?
The major change happened on 16 August 2026, when West Bengal formally launched:
- Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY
- Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana (MMSBY)
The Government of West Bengal’s official website confirms that Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari launched the Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme during the Ayushman Diwas programme.
The central government had already formally approved West Bengal’s implementation of PM-JAY in June 2026. West Bengal became the 36th State/UT to implement AB PM-JAY on 8 June 2026.
This means West Bengal’s health-insurance system is now moving away from the earlier Swasthya Sathi-only model.
What is replacing Swasthya Sathi?
There are now two major health-coverage routes:
1. Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY
This is the Government of India’s health-assurance scheme.
Eligible beneficiaries receive up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for covered secondary and tertiary hospitalisation.
West Bengal officially joined PM-JAY in June 2026.
2. Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana
The West Bengal Government has introduced Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana (MMSBY) as the state’s health-insurance scheme for people who are not covered under Ayushman Bharat.
The state government announced the new scheme alongside the PM-JAY rollout. The announced coverage is up to ₹5 lakh per family per year.
So the transition can broadly be understood as:
Earlier:
Swasthya Sathi
New system:
Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY + Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana
However, the exact transition of individual beneficiaries depends on their eligibility and the government’s implementation process.
What is happening to existing Swasthya Sathi cardholders?
This is one of the biggest questions for families in West Bengal.
Existing Swasthya Sathi beneficiaries should not assume that their card automatically became useless immediately.
Reports published immediately before the August 16 launch stated that Swasthya Sathi would remain operational until new insurance cards were distributed.
Another report published on August 16 stated that Swasthya Sathi would remain active for people who had not yet migrated to the new schemes, with a gradual phase-out expected after the transition period.
What should existing beneficiaries do?
If you already have a Swasthya Sathi card:
- Do not throw away your existing card.
- Do not assume your coverage has ended without checking.
- Check whether your family has been mapped to Ayushman Bharat or MMSBY.
- Ask the hospital which scheme is currently applicable to your beneficiary record.
- Keep Aadhaar and other family documents updated.
- Check the official government portals for further announcements.
This is especially important because the transition is happening in stages.
Why is Swasthya Sathi being replaced or transitioned?
The new West Bengal government decided to implement Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY after the state had previously not participated in the central scheme.
The state has now joined the national PM-JAY framework.
At the same time, the government announced a separate state scheme so that people who do not qualify for PM-JAY are not left without government health coverage.
The new arrangement therefore has two broad objectives:
- Provide PM-JAY coverage to eligible beneficiaries.
- Provide state-funded health coverage to eligible people who do not qualify for PM-JAY.
The state health minister said people who do not meet the Centre’s PM-JAY eligibility criteria would be covered by the new Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana.
What is Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana?
Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana (MMSBY) is the new state health-insurance scheme launched by the West Bengal Government in August 2026.
The government website confirms the launch of the Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme.
According to the government’s launch information reported by PTI, the scheme is intended for people who are not covered under Ayushman Bharat.
The announced health coverage is:
Up to ₹5 lakh per family per year.
The state government has said that around 80 lakh people/families are expected to receive coverage under the state scheme, although figures reported in different sources use different units and should not be treated interchangeably.
Is MMSBY the same as Swasthya Sathi?
No.
MMSBY is a new state health-insurance scheme introduced as part of the post-Swasthya Sathi transition.
Swasthya Sathi was the previous flagship state health-protection scheme.
The new system is being structured around:
Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY for eligible beneficiaries under the central scheme, and
Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana for eligible people who are outside PM-JAY coverage.
Therefore, readers should not assume that MMSBY is simply the old Swasthya Sathi card with a new name.
What is Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY in West Bengal?
Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY is the central government’s health-assurance scheme.
West Bengal officially became the 36th State/UT to implement PM-JAY on 8 June 2026.
The standard PM-JAY benefit is up to:
₹5 lakh per eligible family per year
for covered secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation.
PM-JAY also provides portability, meaning eligible beneficiaries can use the scheme at empanelled hospitals outside West Bengal, subject to the scheme’s rules.
Official PM-JAY information: National Health Authority
Who will get Ayushman Bharat and who will get MMSBY?
This is the key difference in the new system.
Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY
People who satisfy the applicable PM-JAY eligibility criteria can receive PM-JAY benefits.
The scheme also has a separate provision covering all Indian citizens aged 70 years and above, regardless of income, under the senior-citizen expansion.
Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana
The state scheme is intended to provide coverage to eligible people who do not qualify for PM-JAY.
The West Bengal government has described MMSBY as the state health-insurance route for people outside the central scheme’s eligibility.
Because detailed operational rules and beneficiary verification are being implemented during this transition, people should check their individual status rather than assuming which scheme they will receive.
Will everyone in West Bengal get ₹5 lakh health insurance?
The government’s stated objective is to bring residents under a government health-insurance safety net, but this does not mean every person automatically receives an identical ₹5 lakh benefit under the same scheme.
There are different eligibility routes.
A person may fall under:
- PM-JAY
- Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana
- Another government health scheme such as WBHS
- A different government medical-benefit arrangement
- Or an exclusion category
Therefore, the correct question is not simply:
“Does everyone get ₹5 lakh?”
The correct question is:
“Which government health scheme is applicable to my family?”
What happens to WBHS beneficiaries?
The West Bengal Health Scheme (WBHS) is a separate medical-benefit scheme primarily covering eligible government employees, pensioners and other specified beneficiaries.
It should not be confused with Swasthya Sathi.
The official WBHS portal remains active and continues to provide enrolment, claim and hospital services. Its latest listed 2026 circulars include changes to cashless claim processing and other WBHS matters.
Therefore:
WBHS has not been replaced simply because Swasthya Sathi is being transitioned.
Eligible WBHS beneficiaries should continue following the WBHS rules applicable to them.
Can I use Swasthya Sathi after August 16, 2026?
During the transition period, Swasthya Sathi remains operational for beneficiaries who have not yet migrated to the new arrangements, according to recent reporting.
However, this should not be interpreted as confirmation that Swasthya Sathi will continue permanently.
The government’s new health-insurance system is being rolled out, and Swasthya Sathi is expected to be phased out as beneficiaries move to the new coverage arrangements.
For planned treatment, it is safest to confirm your current eligibility with the hospital and the official government system before admission.
What should I do if I already have a Swasthya Sathi card?
If you are already a Swasthya Sathi beneficiary, follow these steps:
1. Keep your Swasthya Sathi card
Do not destroy or discard it while the transition is underway.
2. Check your new health-scheme status
Find out whether you have been mapped to:
- Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY, or
- Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana.
3. Keep Aadhaar information ready
Aadhaar-based identification and e-KYC are important parts of the new PM-JAY beneficiary system.
4. Check the hospital before admission
Ask the hospital whether your beneficiary record is active and which scheme will process your treatment.
5. Follow official updates
The new system is still being implemented, so information about cards, beneficiary lists and hospital processing can change.
What if my family is not eligible for Ayushman Bharat?
This is exactly where the new Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana becomes important.
The West Bengal government has stated that people who do not meet the central PM-JAY eligibility criteria will be covered by the state scheme, subject to the applicable eligibility conditions.
The announced state coverage is also up to ₹5 lakh per family per year.
Therefore, not being eligible for PM-JAY does not necessarily mean that a family will be left without government health coverage.
Is the new MMSBY card available?
The new scheme was formally launched on 16 August 2026, and card distribution/beneficiary processing is part of the transition.
Recent reports indicate that the state had started distributing cards for beneficiaries who are not eligible for PM-JAY.
However, because the rollout is extremely recent, beneficiaries should rely on the latest official government system rather than unofficial websites claiming that everyone can immediately download or generate a card.
How many people are being covered under the new system?
The government has announced a large beneficiary base.
For PM-JAY, the June implementation announcement estimated approximately 1.43 crore families, covering nearly 6 crore people, under the approved beneficiary base in West Bengal.
For the state Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana, the government has stated that approximately 80 lakh beneficiaries/families will be covered under the state scheme.
These numbers should not be added together blindly because different government announcements and reports may use different definitions of families, individuals and beneficiary categories.
Swasthya Sathi vs Ayushman Bharat vs MMSBY
| Feature | Swasthya Sathi | Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY | Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana |
|---|---|---|---|
| Government | West Bengal | Government of India + State | West Bengal |
| Status in Aug 2026 | Transition/phase-out | Implemented | Newly launched |
| Standard cover | Historically ₹5 lakh | Up to ₹5 lakh | Announced up to ₹5 lakh |
| Main purpose | Previous state health scheme | Central health assurance | State coverage for people outside PM-JAY |
| Cashless treatment | Yes, under applicable rules | Yes | Yes, under applicable rules |
| Portability | Primarily state network | Nationwide | Government has announced nationwide access through empanelled hospitals |
| 70+ universal provision | No | Yes, under PM-JAY senior-citizen expansion | Subject to applicable exclusions |
| Future role | Being transitioned | Major new central scheme | New state scheme |
Important: This table is a simplified comparison. Eligibility and actual treatment coverage depend on the official rules applicable to each beneficiary.
Is Swasthya Sathi completely closed now?
No—not yet, based on the latest information available as of August 19, 2026.
The most accurate description is:
Swasthya Sathi is being transitioned/phased out as West Bengal moves to Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY and the new Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana.
Recent reports indicate that existing Swasthya Sathi services remain available during the transition until beneficiaries receive or move to the new coverage arrangements.
This distinction is important because saying “Swasthya Sathi was discontinued on August 16, 2026” would be too absolute based on the information currently available.
Why are people searching “Swasthya Sathi discontinued”?
There are several reasons for the confusion.
Reason 1: Ayushman Bharat has now started
West Bengal officially joined PM-JAY in June and formally launched it in August 2026.
Reason 2: A new state scheme has been launched
MMSBY was launched alongside PM-JAY on August 16.
Reason 3: Existing Swasthya Sathi beneficiaries are being transitioned
The new system is expected to replace the previous arrangement over time.
Reason 4: Different reports use different terminology
Some reports describe Swasthya Sathi as the outgoing scheme, while others describe it as remaining active during the transition.
Therefore, readers should look at the current operational status, not just headlines.
What should Swasthya Sathi cardholders do now?
If you have an existing Swasthya Sathi card, the safest approach is:
Keep the card → check your new beneficiary status → verify the applicable scheme before hospitalisation.
Do not pay money to an unofficial person claiming they can “convert” your Swasthya Sathi card into an Ayushman or MMSBY card.
Use official government portals and authorised hospital counters.
Official websites and useful links
West Bengal Government
The official West Bengal Government website provides current government announcements, including the launch of the Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme.
Official website: Government of West Bengal
Ayushman Bharat / PM-JAY
Official National Health Authority website: NHA
Official beneficiary portal: Ayushman Bharat Beneficiary Portal
Official PM-JAY hospital search: PM-JAY Empanelled Hospitals
West Bengal Health Scheme
For government employees and pensioners covered by WBHS:
Official WBHS portal: West Bengal Health Scheme
Government announcement on PM-JAY in West Bengal
The Government of India confirmed West Bengal’s implementation of PM-JAY on 8 June 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Swasthya Sathi discontinued in West Bengal in 2026?
Not completely as of August 19, 2026. It is being transitioned toward the new Ayushman Bharat and Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana system. Reports indicate that Swasthya Sathi remains operational during the transition until beneficiaries are moved to the new arrangements.
What replaced Swasthya Sathi?
The new health-coverage system consists primarily of Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY and Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana, with different eligibility routes.
Is Ayushman Bharat available in West Bengal?
Yes. West Bengal officially implemented AB PM-JAY in June 2026 and formally launched the scheme in August 2026.
What is the new health scheme in West Bengal?
The new state health-insurance scheme is called Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana (MMSBY).
How much coverage does the new state scheme provide?
The government has announced cashless health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for eligible beneficiaries.
What if I am not eligible for Ayushman Bharat?
The West Bengal Government has announced MMSBY for people who do not meet the PM-JAY eligibility criteria, subject to the applicable state eligibility rules.
Should I throw away my Swasthya Sathi card?
No. Keep it while the transition is underway and verify your new health-scheme status before assuming that your old card is no longer valid.
Can I use Swasthya Sathi and Ayushman Bharat for the same treatment?
Do not assume that you can claim the same treatment under both schemes. The applicable beneficiary and hospital-processing rules determine which scheme covers the treatment.
Is WBHS also discontinued?
No. WBHS is a separate scheme for eligible government employees, pensioners and other covered beneficiaries. Its official portal remains operational and continues to publish 2026 orders and process claims.
Important 2026 Update
The health-insurance system in West Bengal is currently undergoing a major transition.
Therefore, information published before August 2026 may no longer accurately describe the current situation.
In particular, readers should be careful with articles saying:
- “West Bengal does not have Ayushman Bharat”
- “Swasthya Sathi is the only state health scheme”
- “Swasthya Sathi has permanently ended”
- “Everyone automatically gets Ayushman Card”
- “Everyone can claim both schemes for the same treatment”
These statements can be incomplete or misleading under the new 2026 system.
Disclaimer
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only. We make reasonable efforts to keep the information accurate and up to date using official government sources and recent government announcements; however, government schemes, eligibility criteria, benefits, hospital empanelment, procedures, rates, card distribution, deadlines and other rules may change from time to time. The transition from Swasthya Sathi to the new health-coverage system is ongoing, and individual beneficiary status may differ. DailyDigiHelp does not guarantee that all information will remain current or that any individual will be eligible for a particular benefit. Before applying for a scheme, seeking treatment, or making any financial or medical decision, readers should verify the latest information with the relevant official government portal, department, hospital or authorised authority. DailyDigiHelp is not affiliated with or officially associated with the Government of West Bengal, Government of India, Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY, Swasthya Sathi, or Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana.
Conclusion
Swasthya Sathi has not simply disappeared overnight, but West Bengal is clearly moving to a new health-insurance system.
From August 2026, the state’s health coverage is being reorganised around Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY and the newly launched Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana.
For existing Swasthya Sathi beneficiaries, the most important point is that the transition is still underway. Keep your existing card, check your new beneficiary status and confirm the applicable scheme with the hospital before receiving planned treatment.
For the latest information, always check the official Government of West Bengal and National Health Authority portals rather than relying on old Swasthya Sathi information.
Official Sources
- Government of West Bengal
- National Health Authority
- Ayushman Bharat Beneficiary Portal
- PM-JAY Hospital Search
- West Bengal Health Scheme
Article last reviewed: 19 August 2026