Sri Vijaya Puram, Aug. 31: The Andaman & Nicobar Administration has revised the Transport and Wage Loss Compensation Guidelines under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) with the approval of the Governing Body of the State Health Society, A&N Islands. The revised provisions have been made effective w.e.f. 01.08.2026.
The revised guidelines have been introduced with the objective of facilitating beneficiaries referred from the Islands to empanelled hospitals in mainland India for specialised medical treatment.
The major revised provisions are as follows:
1. Air Travel Facility for Referred Patients
All patients referred from GB Pant Hospital, Sri Vijaya Puram, under AB-PMJAY for treatment at empanelled hospitals in mainland India shall now be permitted to travel by air in Economy Class, subject to the applicable provisions of the revised guidelines. Reimbursement towards air travel shall be admissible subject to a maximum ceiling of Rs.40,000/- for the onward and return journey for the patient and one attendant.
2. Cashless Air Travel Arrangement for Stretcher Cases
For patients referred by air as stretcher cases, the State Health Agency (SHA) shall arrange air tickets for the patient and one attendant on a cashless basis, subject to the applicable guidelines. In this regard, the SHA has taken up the matter with Balmer Lawrie & Co. Ltd. for facilitating air tickets for stretcher cases. The Department proposes to maintain an advance deposit of Rs.10 lakh with the agency for this purpose. Confirmation from the agency in this regard is awaited.
3. Wage Loss Compensation Extended to All Eligible AB-PMJAY Beneficiaries
The benefit of wage loss compensation has been extended to all eligible AB-PMJAY beneficiaries. Eligible beneficiaries shall be entitled to wage loss compensation at the rate of Rs.1,000/- per day for a maximum period of 20 days, subject to the terms and conditions prescribed under the revised guidelines.
Earlier, the benefit was restricted to beneficiaries covered under the SECC category.
The complete revised Transport and Wage Loss Compensation Guidelines are available on the official website of the Directorate of Health Services, A&N Administration.