Administration revises referral rules for Ayushman Bharat patients
Sri Vijaya Puram: The Member of Parliament for the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Bishnu Pada Ray, on Thursday expressed gratitude to the Union Government and the Andaman & Nicobar Administration after written confirmation that referral guidelines under the Ayushman Bharat scheme have been revised to expand financial and logistical support for patients.
The changes, which the Administration said were notified with effect from 1 August 2026, follow issues raised by the MP with the Lieutenant Governor in October 2025 and subsequent consideration by the State Health Society under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary. The Secretary (Health), A&N Administration, conveyed the decisions to the MP in a communication dated 28 August 2026, according to the MP office.
Among the principal modifications are an increase in the income ceiling for eligibility, revised travel arrangements for patients and attendants, broader wage-loss compensation and an administrative arrangement to cover stretcher charges in advance.
- Income ceiling raised: Eligibility income threshold under the scheme has been increased from Rs.3 lakh to Rs.5 lakh, allowing beneficiaries to access cashless treatment up to ₹5 lakh.
- Air travel for referrals: Where earlier ship fare was provided, the revised rules permit the patient and one attendant to travel by economy-class air travel, with reimbursement capped at ₹40,000.
- Wage-loss compensation extended: A wage-loss allowance of ₹1,000 per day for up to 20 days, previously limited to select categories, has been extended to all categories of referred patients under the scheme.
- Stretcher charges: Stretcher costs will be arranged and paid in advance by the Administration with no prescribed ceiling, removing the immediate out-of-pocket burden on patients.
What the changes mean locally
Health policy experts and patient advocates have long argued that referral support must account for the unique geography and connectivity challenges of the islands. The revised provisions aim to reduce the financial and logistical barriers faced by island residents who need tertiary care at empanelled hospitals beyond the territory.
The increase in the income ceiling from Rs.3 lakh to Rs.5 lakh could make a substantially larger group of families eligible for cashless treatment under the Ayushman Bharat scheme. For many households in the islands, reaching tertiary centres involves additional travel and accommodation costs on top of medical bills; the expanded wage-loss compensation and the move to air travel reimbursement for patient and attendant are intended to mitigate these ancillary expenses.
Administrative process and timeline
The MP's office said the issues were raised on 21 October 2025 and taken up in meetings of the State Health Society chaired by the Chief Secretary. The Administration's written confirmation reached the MP on 28 August 2026. The MP held a press conference at his office on 3 September 2026 to convey his appreciation for the decisions.
The Administration's communication sets the effective date for the revised rules as 1 August 2026, indicating that cases referred from that date onward are covered by the updated provisions.
| Provision | Previous | Revised |
|---|---|---|
| Income ceiling for eligibility | Rs.3 lakh | Rs.5 lakh |
| Travel support | Ship fare for patient and attendant | Economy-class air travel for patient and one attendant; reimbursement up to ₹40,000 |
| Wage-loss compensation | ₹1,000/day for selected categories (limited) | ₹1,000/day for up to 20 days for all referred patients |
| Stretcher charges | Subject to ceiling / reimbursed later | Arranged and paid in advance by Administration; no prescribed ceiling |
Implications and next steps
Officials will need to operationalise the revised guidelines at empanelled hospitals and referral points, including clear processes for claiming air-travel reimbursement and wage-loss payments. Advance payment of stretcher charges will require coordination between health facilities and the Administration to ensure cash flow and timely disbursal.
Representatives of patient groups in the islands welcomed the measures as steps toward reducing the burden on families seeking specialist care, while also signalling the need for dissemination of the new rules so that eligible patients are aware of their entitlements.
The MP noted his appreciation to the Central and local administrations for taking up the concerns and securing the changes, which are now in force for referral cases from 1 August 2026. The Administration's written communication to the MP forms the official record of the revised provisions.
Further administrative circulars or standard operating procedures setting out the claim and reimbursement mechanism are expected from health authorities to guide hospitals and district officials responsible for implementing the amended referral norms.
