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Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana, Odisha's state health assurance scheme, has been renamed Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (GJAY) and now runs together with Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY; it gives every family free treatment in state government hospitals, and eligible families cashless cover of 5 lakh rupees a year in empanelled private hospitals, with a further 5 lakh rupees for women members once the family limit is used.
Many people still call it BSKY and still carry the old smart card. This page explains what the rename means for you, who is covered, which card to show, and the steps to take if a hospital turns you away.
At a glance
Current name
Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana, with AB PM-JAYRun by
Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of OdishaGovernment hospitals
Free care for all families, up to district and medical college hospitalsPrivate hospital cover
5 lakh rupees per family a year, plus 5 lakh for women membersWho gets private cover
NFSA, SFSS and PMJAY-GJAY card familiesOfficial dashboard
From Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana to GJAY
The state renamed the scheme in its budget and later joined the central PM-JAY health cover. Odisha became the 34th state or union territory to implement PM-JAY, and the Union government's release says it runs in convergence with GJAY. For most families the practical change is a wider hospital network, including empanelled hospitals in other states through PM-JAY.
The health care itself, the free care at government facilities and the family limits continue under the new name. If you see BSKY on an old card and GJAY at the hospital desk, they refer to the same state cover.
Two layers of cover
| Where you are treated | Who is covered | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| State government health institutions, up to district headquarters hospitals and government medical college hospitals | All families in Odisha | State bears the full cost |
| Empanelled private hospitals | Economically vulnerable families: NFSA, SFSS and PMJAY-GJAY card holders | 5 lakh rupees per family a year; a further 5 lakh rupees for women members after the first limit is used |
The state's dashboard puts the number of families with private hospital cover at more than 96.5 lakh.
Is your family covered
Your family has private hospital cover if its ration card was issued under NFSA, the national food law, or under SFSS, Odisha's own food scheme, or a PMJAY-GJAY card issued by the Odisha government. Families without these cards still get free treatment at state government hospitals, but they cannot use the cashless limit at private hospitals.
Senior citizens aged 70 and above may also have separate PM-JAY cover under the central rules. Read our Ayushman Bharat guide for that part.
Which card to carry
- The PMJAY-GJAY card, if your family has received it.
- The old BSKY smart health card, which the department has accepted during the change over; ask the hospital help desk if in doubt.
- Aadhaar of the patient, used for authentication at the hospital.
- The NFSA or SFSS ration card as backup proof.
If a family member's name is missing from the card, visit the block or district health office with the ration card and Aadhaar to get it corrected.
Using the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana cover in a hospital
- Go to an empanelled hospital. The list is on the GJAY dashboard and on the PM-JAY hospital finder.
- Find the scheme help desk, often run by an Arogya Mitra or a hospital coordinator.
- Show the card and Aadhaar. The patient's identity is checked by fingerprint, face or OTP.
- The hospital raises a pre authorisation for the treatment package and gets approval.
- Treatment is cashless within the limit. Do not pay for medicines or tests covered by the package.
- Keep the discharge summary and any bills given to you.
What is not covered
Cover is for listed treatment packages, mainly for admission and day care procedures. Routine outpatient visits in private hospitals, cosmetic surgery and treatment outside the package list are not paid. Once the family limit and the women's additional limit for the year are used, further treatment in a private hospital is charged unless it is moved to a government hospital, where care remains free.
When the hospital asks for money
| Issue | Possible reason | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital says scheme not accepted | Hospital not empanelled, or the specialty not empanelled | Check the dashboard list; move to an empanelled hospital |
| Name not found | Member not added to the card | Correct the record at the health office |
| Staff demand cash for drugs | Possible misuse of the package | Refuse politely, keep bills, complain to the district health office |
| Limit exhausted | Family used the yearly amount | Seek treatment at a government hospital, where it is free |
Complaints can be lodged through the district health office or the grievance option on the state health portal.
Other Odisha support for families
Health cover is one part of the state's support. Women aged 21 to 60 in eligible households may also receive yearly cash under Subhadra Yojana. Small farmers and landless farm households can read about CM Kisan in Odisha, and elderly, widowed or disabled members can look at the Madhu Babu Pension Yojana. Each scheme has its own form, and holding a health card brings no automatic place in the cash schemes.
Frequently asked questions
Is Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana closed?
It has not ended; it was renamed Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana and now runs together with Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY in Odisha.
Is my old BSKY card still valid?
The department has accepted old cards while families move to PMJAY-GJAY cards. Ask the hospital help desk, and collect the new card when it is issued in your area.
How much cover does a family get?
5 lakh rupees a year in empanelled private hospitals, with a further 5 lakh rupees for women members after the family amount is used. Treatment in state government hospitals is free for all families.
Can I use it outside Odisha?
With the move to PM-JAY, card holders can use empanelled PM-JAY hospitals in other states. Confirm the hospital's status before admission.
Do families without a ration card get anything?
Yes. Every family gets free treatment at state government hospitals. Private hospital cashless cover is for NFSA, SFSS and PMJAY-GJAY card families.
Is there a fee to get the card?
No. Cards are issued free by the government. Do not pay agents for enrolment.
Official sources
- GJAY dashboard, Government of Odishagjaydashboard.odisha.gov.in
- PIB: Odisha implements AB PM-JAYwww.pib.gov.in
- National Health Authority: About PM-JAYnha.gov.in
Rules, amounts and portals can change. Check the official source before you apply or deposit.