One of the West Bengal government’s landmark initiatives is the Swasthya Sathi scheme. Its core aim is to bring every household of the state under improved, quality healthcare.
Through the Swasthya Sathi smart card, every family receives financial protection for up to Rs 5 lakh of cashless (free-of-cost) in-patient treatment per year.
Key Features of the Swasthya Sathi Scheme
- Annual Rs 5 lakh coverage: The state government bears medical expenses of up to Rs 5,00,000 per year for all family members combined.
- Completely cashless facility: Hospital admission, various pathological tests, complex surgeries, ICU costs and medicines at discharge are all completely free.
- Smart card in the woman’s name: In the interest of women’s empowerment, the card is issued in the name of the family’s senior-most female member.
- No premium to pay: The entire premium is borne by the Government of West Bengal.
- Pre-existing disease benefit: From the very first day of getting the card, treatment of any pre-existing serious illness is also covered.
Empanelled Hospitals
With the Swasthya Sathi card, cashless treatment is available at all government medical colleges, district and sub-divisional hospitals of West Bengal, and at over a thousand private super-speciality hospitals and nursing homes in the state. Renowned hospitals outside the state, such as CMC Vellore and AIIMS Delhi, also offer certain complex treatments.
Documents Required
Documents needed for a new Swasthya Sathi card:
- Photocopies of the Aadhaar and voter card of the family’s female head.
- Aadhaar cards and age proofs of all other family members.
- Khadya Sathi ration card (digital ration card).
- Active mobile number.
- Joint or individual photographs of family members (taken directly on the biometric camera at the camp).
How to Apply for a New Swasthya Sathi Card
Duare Sarkar camp or panchayat/municipality office
- Collect Form B from a Duare Sarkar camp or the local panchayat/municipality office.
- Write the female head’s name, then the other members’ names, relationship, age and Aadhaar numbers in order.
- Attach copies of all required documents and submit at the counter.
- After document verification, you will be called to have your photographs taken.
- After biometrics and photos, the chip-enabled Swasthya Sathi Smart Card is issued on the spot or within a few days.
Checking Card Status and Balance Online
How to find out your card’s activation and balance:
- Go to the official website swasthyasathi.gov.in.
- Click the ‘Find Your Name’ option and enter your district and Aadhaar or mobile number.
- You can see whether your card is active and the URN (URN) numbers of the family members attached to the card.
- Download the Swasthya Sathi Official App from the Google Play Store to directly check the card’s remaining balance and nearby empanelled hospitals using the URN.
Emergency Helpline Numbers
For any problem at a hospital accepting the Swasthya Sathi card, or to lodge a complaint, contact the toll-free helpline:
- Toll-free helpline:
1800 345 5384
- 24x7 WhatsApp support:
9073313211
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