Ayushman Bharat Scheme — Policy Reforms

Entry	Year	Description	Impact
N/A (Scheme Evolution)	2019	Establishment of the National Health Authority (NHA) as an autonomous body to implement PM-JAY, replacing the National Health Agency. This streamlined governance and operational efficiency.	Centralized decision-making, improved coordination with states, and enhanced capacity for strategic purchasing and fraud control. Strengthened the institutional framework for scheme implementation.
N/A (Policy Update)	2020-21	Integration of COVID-19 treatment packages under PM-JAY, ensuring beneficiaries could access testing and treatment for the pandemic without financial burden. Also, increased focus on telemedicine services.	Provided crucial financial relief during the pandemic, preventing catastrophic health expenditures for millions. Accelerated the adoption of digital health solutions and highlighted the scheme's adaptability to public health emergencies.
N/A (Digital Integration)	2021	Launch of Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) to create a national digital health ecosystem, including ABHA (Ayushman Bharat Health Account) IDs, health professional registries, and health facility registries.	Paved the way for interoperable digital health records, improving efficiency, data-driven policy-making, and patient convenience. Aims to enhance transparency and reduce medical errors, linking to the broader Digital India initiative.
N/A (Coverage Expansion)	2022-23	Several states expanded PM-JAY coverage to include additional categories of beneficiaries beyond SECC 2011, such as construction workers, ASHA workers, and certain unorganized sector workers, using their own state funds.	Addressed the 'missing middle' challenge to some extent and expanded the reach of health insurance. Demonstrated the flexibility of the cooperative federalism model [VY:POL-03-05] in healthcare, allowing states to tailor coverage based on local needs and fiscal capacity.