The Nagaland Health Protection Society (NHPS), Department of Health & Family Welfare, organised a one-day Media Sensitisation Programme on Ayushman Bharat–Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) and the Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme (CMHIS) at the Capital Convention Centre, Kohima, on August 20.

Held on the theme “Enhancing Media Awareness and Public Outreach on AB PM-JAY & CMHIS,” the programme sought to strengthen media understanding of the two health protection schemes and improve dissemination of accurate information to eligible beneficiaries across the State.

In his welcome address, Thavaseelan K, IAS, CEO, NHPS, highlighted the important role of the media in ensuring that information on healthcare benefits reaches individuals and communities in a clear and timely manner.

He said AB PM-JAY and CMHIS provide critical healthcare support to individuals and families and stressed that lack of awareness or misinformation should not prevent eligible beneficiaries from accessing the benefits available to them.

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.

The address reflected the commitment towards strengthening public awareness and ensuring that the intended benefits reach every eligible beneficiary.

Dr Yingnei Wangnao, Deputy CEO, Nagaland Health Protection Society (NHPS), gave an overview of the benefits available under the AB PM-JAY and Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme (CMHIS) during a one-day media sensitisation programme.

He explained that beneficiaries under AB PM-JAY and CMHIS (General) are covered with a sum insured of ₹5 lakh per family per annum on a family-floater basis, while CMHIS (Employees and Pensioners) beneficiaries are entitled to a sum insured of ₹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 (General) beneficiaries are entitled to more than 1,950 medical and surgical packages across 27 major clinical specialities, while CMHIS (Employees and Pensioners) 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 empaneled hospitals within Nagaland and across the country, while CMHIS (Employees and Pensioners) beneficiaries can avail treatment at empaneled hospitals within and outside the State. He encouraged beneficiaries to verify empaneled hospitals and available treatment packages through the official CMHIS portal before seeking treatment.

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Speaking on the beneficiary eligibility criteria under AB PM-JAY CMHIS, Deputy CEO of the National Health Protection Society (NHPS), Livitoli Sukhalu, said the scheme covers three beneficiary categories across the state – AB PM-JAY, CMHIS (GEN), and CMHIS (EP).

She explained that the AB PM-JAY beneficiary base was drawn from families listed under the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011 and the erstwhile Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY), with Building and Construction Workers (BoCW) also included as an additional category. In Nagaland, this puts the initial beneficiary base at 2,59,468 poor and deprived families.

On CMHIS (GEN), Sukhalu said it covers indigenous and permanent residents of the state not already covered under AB PM-JAY, along with non-dependent family members of CMHIS (EP) beneficiaries, employees without a PIMS number, and contractual, ad-hoc and fixed pay government staff. 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.

Following the sessions, media representatives participated in an interactive discussion on strengthening public awareness through accurate responsible and effective reporting.

The interactive discussion featured a panel comprising 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 any assistance, queries or concerns related to the schemes, beneficiaries can reach out through the toll-free helpline 1800 202 3380. General enquiries can be directed to:  support-nhps@cmhis.nagaland.gov.in , while grievances may be sent to:  grievances.nhps@cmhis.nagaland.gov.in Those looking to disable their PM-JAY/CMHIS card can write to: card.support@cmhis.nagaland.gov.in